Last updated: October 11, 2023
Place
Delaware Park
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
Location:
Buffalo, NY
Significance:
Olmsted Designed Park
MANAGED BY:
The centerpiece of Buffalo’s Park System, which Frederick Law Olmsted described as “the best planned city … in the United States, if not in the world”, Delaware Park is often just referred to as “The Park”. Designed by Olmsted, Vaux & Co. in 1868, it was the first opportunity Olmsted had to personally select the site to be used.
Like many of Olmsted’s great parks, Delaware Park is split into three sections: a prominent water feature, a large meadow, and significant wooded areas. Construction would last from 1870 to 1874, and the 350-acre park was bordered by seven miles of footpaths, bridle paths and carriage drives.
In 1886, Delaware Park was expanded by twelve acres, with Olmsted drawing up plans for the addition. Olmsted correctly predicted that Delaware Park was destined to have a “distinguished position among the parks of the world.”
Like many of Olmsted’s great parks, Delaware Park is split into three sections: a prominent water feature, a large meadow, and significant wooded areas. Construction would last from 1870 to 1874, and the 350-acre park was bordered by seven miles of footpaths, bridle paths and carriage drives.
In 1886, Delaware Park was expanded by twelve acres, with Olmsted drawing up plans for the addition. Olmsted correctly predicted that Delaware Park was destined to have a “distinguished position among the parks of the world.”