Buffalo, NY - Today, Mayor Byron W. Brown unveiled the City of Buffalo’s Division of Recreation and Park’s “Walking Parks and Trails” guide which provides maps of 25 different walking, jogging and cycling paths residents can utilize for exercise and recreation as the weather turns warmer. The guide was produced in partnership with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the Tifft Nature Preserve to give people more options for passive outdoor activities as they continue to maintain safe physical distancing while they engage in their exercise routines.
Mayor Brown said, “We have witnessed large crowds gathering in some of our most popular parks as people go outside for exercise. This guide will help everyone find alternatives by highlighting the many different outdoor venues they can use to avoid those crowded areas while still enjoying all of the unique and engaging green spaces and parks Buffalo has to offer. I want to thank the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the Tifft Nature Preserve for working with the City to make this guide available and encourage everyone to explore these other areas of Buffalo.”
The free guide, which will be available on the City’s website, is in addition to the other steps—like closing the Ring Road in Delaware Park to vehicles— the City has taken to provide more space for people while they passively use the parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents who are driving to the Ring Road in Delaware Park can utilize the Buffalo Zoo lot to park for free and the Mayor encourages all those who can to make a donation to the Zoo through the Buffalo Roam app as a way of supporting and thanking them.
“Working closely with Mayor Brown and his staff, we are very appreciative of this coordinated public education effort to ensure safe park densities,” stated Stephanie Crockatt, Conservancy Executive Director. “With the better weather and the growing desire to be outside, this is a terrific resource in highlighting access options available across the city.”
Helping people engage in physical activities helps reduce stress and maintains their overall health. However, those participating in those activities should adhere to these practices:
- Do not use parks or trails if you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19
- Follow the guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing before, during and after being outside
- All parks are open for passive use only, from sunset to sunrise – no activities after dark
- Follow social distancing guidelines - a minimum of six feet apart
- Please step off the trail or path to ensure that that minimal 6 feet of distance when passing someone
- If the parking area looks full, choose another location
The new alternative “Walking Parks and Trails” program features 25 City parks and trails, with marked routes. In addition to Delaware Park’s Ring Road, South Park’s Ring Road and a portion of roadway at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. (RCWJ) Centennial Park, will also closed to vehicular traffic. Crews will be working on installing barricades for the closure first thing Monday morning, April 27, 2020. At RCWJ Centennial Park, park-users can still drive and park near the Barkyard Dog Park, but not any further.
Click here for a full list of walking parks and trails and recommended routes.
