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Habitat Restoration

Erie County is fortunate to have four natural habitat “pocket parks” located in downtown Buffalo. Each habitat park is unique in its setting, providing a natural sanctuary for native plants and animals to thrive among urban surroundings. The parks are situated along the Buffalo River, which is designated as a toxic water body, or “Area of Concern” (AOC). The river has undergone extensive cleanup over the last several years. As part of the recovery effort, US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has invested millions of dollars in shoreline and habitat restoration to revive a healthy ecosystem. 

A lot of progress has been and will continue to be accomplished, but the work at the habitat parks is never finished. Check out our park pages to see future plans and changes that have been made in recent years:

Erie County Natural Habitat Parks Field Guide.  Inside this field guide you will find information about the four Erie County Natural Habitat Parks, fun activities to connect you with the natural habitat at each park, and descriptions of some of the plants and animals or flora and fauna that you can find there!

Bailey - before

Bailey - after

Thomas Higgins Natural Habitat Park (Bailey Peninsula)

  • Erie County Natural Habitat Park located at South Park and Bailey Avenues, Buffalo NY. 
  • Erie County Parks & Recreation: Thomas Higgins Natural Habitat Park(Bailey Peninsula) page
  • Site features include:
    • a seiche wetland 
    • turtle habitat feature
    • fishing access
    • walking trails
    • rain gardens
  • Future restorations include: 
    • shoreline improvements
    • native tree regeneration
  • Finished in October 2017, the City of Buffalo relocated the Bailey Avenue Bridge, which now intersects through Erie County’s previous site, Bailey Peninsula Natural Habitat Park. Since completion, Thomas Higgins Park is receiving a lot of time and dedication to restore it to its natural state. With the relocation, Erie County gained land on the east side of Bailey Avenue where the old bridge used to be located.

Red Jacket

Red Jacket Natural Habitat Park 

  • Erie County Natural Habitat Park located at the foot of Smith Street, Buffalo NY. 
  • Erie County Parks & Recreation: Red Jacket Natural Habitat Park page
  • This is a popular fishing and hiking location for many Erie County residents.
  • As part of the Buffalo Blueway, Red Jacket Natural Habitat Park underwent an extensive restoration throughout 2021. 
  • Changes included:
    • an improved walkway
    • formalized kayak launch access 
    • new benches
    • improved railing overlooking the Buffalo River

Seneca Bluffs 1

Seneca Bluffs 2

Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park

  • Erie County Natural Habitat Park located at 1670 Seneca Street, Buffalo NY. 
  • Erie County Parks & Recreation: Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park page
  • As part of the US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Seneca Bluffs underwent restoration work from July 2016 through May 2017. 
  • The restorations included:
    • extensive bank stabilization and reshaping 
    • widespread native planting of the approximately 3,500 linear feet of shoreline and Riverine Island. 
    • in-water root wads and weirs
  • Future plans for Seneca Bluffs:
    • installation of a green infrastructure parking area
    • installation of a formalized kayak launch
    • fishing terrace
    • removal of invasive species
  • Erie County residents have a remarkable 20+ acres of natural habitat and shoreline access in an urban South Buffalo neighborhood. Watch for additional future improvements to this spectacular downtown nature park.

Times Beach

Times Beach Nature Preserve

  • Erie County Natural Habitat Park located at the Outer Harbor next to the Coast Guard Station on Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo NY. 
  • Erie County Parks & Recreation: Times Beach Nature Preserve page
  • Times Beach is a globally significant important bird area and home to many native plant and wildlife species. 
  • Due to several seiche events dating back to 2019 the northern half of Times Beach is currently closed to the public.  Erie County is working with FEMA to repair and restore the site damages created by the seiches.  

For more information about Erie County's Habitat Restoration efforts, contact Kristen Guadagno at Kristen.Guadagno@erie.gov

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