Squaw Island renamed
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[[File:Peter Buell Porter.jpg|thumb|230px|'''Peter Porter''', the founder and easily the most prominent citizen of Black Rock, was a powerful politician on the state and national stages: he served in the New York State Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, and as Secretary of War under President John Quincy Adams.]]
[[File:Peter Buell Porter.jpg|thumb|230px|'''Peter Porter''', the founder and easily the most prominent citizen of Black Rock, was a powerful politician on the state and national stages: he served in the New York State Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, and as Secretary of War under President John Quincy Adams.]]
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The same year that Black Rock was officially incorporated as a village, the long-feared military confrontation along the Niagara River came to pass. The attempted American invasion of Canada that began the War of 1812 saw U.S. forces under General George McClure sack and loot the frontier villages of York (now [[Toronto]]) and Newark (now [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]]); in retaliation, before dawn on December 30, 1813, a British detachment crossed the river and landed in Black Rock, burning it to the ground then heading south to Buffalo to do the same. Though it was rebuilt quickly, Black Rock remained a battleground till the end of the war — Porter's shipyard did a brisk business building warships for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet, and a second British incursion across the river was thwarted at the '''Battle of Scajaquada Creek Bridge''' in August 1814. The war ended in 1815, but things hardly quieted down: the always-heated rivalry between Black Rock and Buffalo took on a new urgency around 1816 when planning began for a huge canal linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. It was understood that the Erie Canal would be a huge economic boon, opening up the West to large-scale settlement, and that it would begin at [[Albany (New York)|Albany]] — but the exact location of its western end had yet to be determined. Porter used his political connections to vigorously argue that Black Rock be selected over its rival. At first, its superior harbor — sheltered by '''
Squaw
Island''' from the strong currents of the Niagara River — as well as the fact that two more miles (3 more km) of canal would need to be dug to reach Buffalo, seemed to give Black Rock the advantage. The successful launch from its harbor of the '''''Walk-in-the-Water''''', the first steamboat on Lake Erie, further aided Black Rock's cause, but after a contingent of Buffalonians finally set about dredging the harbor there to a suitable depth, Buffalo was chosen in 1821 as the canal's terminus. When it opened in 1825, the Erie Canal passed through and beyond Black Rock; as a final insult, Black Rock even lost the rock formation that inspired its name: it lay in the path of the canal and had to be blasted away.
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The same year that Black Rock was officially incorporated as a village, the long-feared military confrontation along the Niagara River came to pass. The attempted American invasion of Canada that began the War of 1812 saw U.S. forces under General George McClure sack and loot the frontier villages of York (now [[Toronto]]) and Newark (now [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]]); in retaliation, before dawn on December 30, 1813, a British detachment crossed the river and landed in Black Rock, burning it to the ground then heading south to Buffalo to do the same. Though it was rebuilt quickly, Black Rock remained a battleground till the end of the war — Porter's shipyard did a brisk business building warships for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet, and a second British incursion across the river was thwarted at the '''Battle of Scajaquada Creek Bridge''' in August 1814. The war ended in 1815, but things hardly quieted down: the always-heated rivalry between Black Rock and Buffalo took on a new urgency around 1816 when planning began for a huge canal linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. It was understood that the Erie Canal would be a huge economic boon, opening up the West to large-scale settlement, and that it would begin at [[Albany (New York)|Albany]] — but the exact location of its western end had yet to be determined. Porter used his political connections to vigorously argue that Black Rock be selected over its rival. At first, its superior harbor — sheltered by '''
Unity
Island''' from the strong currents of the Niagara River — as well as the fact that two more miles (3 more km) of canal would need to be dug to reach Buffalo, seemed to give Black Rock the advantage. The successful launch from its harbor of the '''''Walk-in-the-Water''''', the first steamboat on Lake Erie, further aided Black Rock's cause, but after a contingent of Buffalonians finally set about dredging the harbor there to a suitable depth, Buffalo was chosen in 1821 as the canal's terminus. When it opened in 1825, the Erie Canal passed through and beyond Black Rock; as a final insult, Black Rock even lost the rock formation that inspired its name: it lay in the path of the canal and had to be blasted away.
As predicted, Buffalo grew explosively, expanding its borders in 1832 to include newly developing South Black Rock. Black Rock might have been able to soldier on independently in the shadow of its now-much larger neighbor, but the years after the canal's construction were exceptionally harsh: the '''Panic of 1837''' laid waste to its economy (half its businesses failed) just when Black Rock was getting back on its feet again after a damaging windstorm a few years earlier. Moreover, when relief came to the village, it was at the expense of some of its independent spirit: the '''Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad''', the area's first, helped transform Upper Black Rock into an important center for milling and coopering — which, in turn, attracted throngs of German and Irish laborers — but, by the same token, inextricably bound its new economy to Buffalo's. Thus, though Lower Black Rock was able to retain much more of its distinct identity and pastoral character, with a small-town feel to the streets around '''Market Square''', a change to Buffalo's charter enabled it to annex Black Rock along with the remainder of the surrounding unincorporated township in 1853, ending its history as an independent village.
As predicted, Buffalo grew explosively, expanding its borders in 1832 to include newly developing South Black Rock. Black Rock might have been able to soldier on independently in the shadow of its now-much larger neighbor, but the years after the canal's construction were exceptionally harsh: the '''Panic of 1837''' laid waste to its economy (half its businesses failed) just when Black Rock was getting back on its feet again after a damaging windstorm a few years earlier. Moreover, when relief came to the village, it was at the expense of some of its independent spirit: the '''Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad''', the area's first, helped transform Upper Black Rock into an important center for milling and coopering — which, in turn, attracted throngs of German and Irish laborers — but, by the same token, inextricably bound its new economy to Buffalo's. Thus, though Lower Black Rock was able to retain much more of its distinct identity and pastoral character, with a small-town feel to the streets around '''Market Square''', a change to Buffalo's charter enabled it to annex Black Rock along with the remainder of the surrounding unincorporated township in 1853, ending its history as an independent village.
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Buffalo has been making great strides in recent years in accommodating bicycling as a mode of transportation, with recognition from the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze-Level "Bicycle-Friendly Community" to show for its efforts. The quality of bicycle infrastructure on the West Side is variable, but it's generally quite good by local standards and, as in the rest of the city, steadily improving. The Lower West Side is undoubtedly the most bicycle-friendly area in the district, populated largely by immigrants whose habituation to alternative modes of transportation, including bicycles, is imported from their home countries — as well as young, middle-class "urban pioneers" for whom carfreedom is a conscious choice.
Buffalo has been making great strides in recent years in accommodating bicycling as a mode of transportation, with recognition from the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze-Level "Bicycle-Friendly Community" to show for its efforts. The quality of bicycle infrastructure on the West Side is variable, but it's generally quite good by local standards and, as in the rest of the city, steadily improving. The Lower West Side is undoubtedly the most bicycle-friendly area in the district, populated largely by immigrants whose habituation to alternative modes of transportation, including bicycles, is imported from their home countries — as well as young, middle-class "urban pioneers" for whom carfreedom is a conscious choice.
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Buffalo's oldest, largest, and best-known bike path is the '''Riverwalk''', a multi-use trail that connects the '''Erie Basin Marina''' downtown to '''Nia-Wanda Park''' in Tonawanda via the West Side waterfront, for a total distance of 13.3 miles (21.4 km). The Riverwalk passes into the West Side near the posh '''Waterfront Village''' condos and closely hugs the shore of Lake Erie and the Niagara River for its length, with excellent views over the water and easy access to many waterfront attractions including '''LaSalle Park''', the '''Fontana Boathouse''', '''Broderick Park''', '''
Squaw
Island Park''', and '''Riverside Park'''. Best of all, for the vast majority of its length, the Riverwalk follows its own off-street right-of-way with no traffic to contend with — the exception is a short, unsigned stretch of 0.4 miles (700 m) along Busti Avenue and Niagara Street between Hampshire and West Ferry Streets, but the roadway boasts wide shoulders and sidewalks that provide a modicum of safety for cyclists. The trail is paved with asphalt in its entirety, and a speed limit of 15 mph (24 km/h) is enforced.
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Buffalo's oldest, largest, and best-known bike path is the '''Riverwalk''', a multi-use trail that connects the '''Erie Basin Marina''' downtown to '''Nia-Wanda Park''' in Tonawanda via the West Side waterfront, for a total distance of 13.3 miles (21.4 km). The Riverwalk passes into the West Side near the posh '''Waterfront Village''' condos and closely hugs the shore of Lake Erie and the Niagara River for its length, with excellent views over the water and easy access to many waterfront attractions including '''LaSalle Park''', the '''Fontana Boathouse''', '''Broderick Park''', '''
Unity
Island Park''', and '''Riverside Park'''. Best of all, for the vast majority of its length, the Riverwalk follows its own off-street right-of-way with no traffic to contend with — the exception is a short, unsigned stretch of 0.4 miles (700 m) along Busti Avenue and Niagara Street between Hampshire and West Ferry Streets, but the roadway boasts wide shoulders and sidewalks that provide a modicum of safety for cyclists. The trail is paved with asphalt in its entirety, and a speed limit of 15 mph (24 km/h) is enforced.
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As well as being a lovely trail in itself, the Riverwalk also serves as a central spine for Buffalo's larger network of bike paths. Branching off of it is the '''Scajaquada Creekside Trail''', also known as the '''Jesse Kriegel Bike Path'''. As its name indicates, the path follows the north shore of Scajaquada Creek opposite the expressway for a distance of 2.4 miles (3.8 km), with the attractions of Black Rock and Grant-Amherst within easy striking distance. Passing out of the West Side, the Scajaquada Creekside Trail enters '''Delaware Park''' and ends near the '''Buffalo History Museum'''. Near its northern terminus in Tonawanda, the Riverwalk also connects with the '''Erie Canalway Trail''', and
a
link
to
the [[Buffalo/South Buffalo|Outer Harbor]]'s '''Industrial Heritage Trail'''
via Ohio Street is currently under construction
.
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As well as being a lovely trail in itself, the Riverwalk also serves as a central spine for Buffalo's larger network of bike paths. Branching off of it is the '''Scajaquada Creekside Trail''', also known as the '''Jesse Kriegel Bike Path'''. As its name indicates, the path follows the north shore of Scajaquada Creek opposite the expressway for a distance of 2.4 miles (3.8 km), with the attractions of Black Rock and Grant-Amherst within easy striking distance. Passing out of the West Side, the Scajaquada Creekside Trail enters '''Delaware Park''' and ends near the '''Buffalo History Museum'''. Near its northern terminus in Tonawanda, the Riverwalk also connects with the '''Erie Canalway Trail''', and
also
(via
Ohio Street)
the [[Buffalo/South Buffalo|Outer Harbor]]'s '''Industrial Heritage Trail'''.
As indicated above, in Prospect Hill and the Lower West Side especially, bike lanes and other accommodations have also been steadily added to the street grid. Among the streets which have been improved in this way is Richmond Avenue, with '''"sharrows"''' (pavement markings on roads too narrow to accommodate dedicated bike lanes, indicating that drivers should be aware of bicyclists on the road) in place between Forest Avenue and '''Colonial Circle''', and dedicated bike lanes from Colonial Circle south to '''Symphony Circle'''. There is also a dedicated bike lane on each side of Porter Avenue between Symphony Circle and Niagara Street, and a signed off-street bike path west of Niagara Street as far as '''LaSalle Park''', where it connects to the Riverwalk. Hudson Street boasts parallel bike lanes on each side between Plymouth and Busti Avenues, with sharrows in place east to Wadsworth Street and west to 4th Street; the latter connects to LaSalle Park via a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 190. As well, sharrows lead from Hudson Street to Symphony Circle by way of West Avenue and Pennsylvania Street, and are in place on Connecticut Street between Niagara Street and Richmond Avenue and on Wadsworth Street from Symphony Circle to Allen Street.
As indicated above, in Prospect Hill and the Lower West Side especially, bike lanes and other accommodations have also been steadily added to the street grid. Among the streets which have been improved in this way is Richmond Avenue, with '''"sharrows"''' (pavement markings on roads too narrow to accommodate dedicated bike lanes, indicating that drivers should be aware of bicyclists on the road) in place between Forest Avenue and '''Colonial Circle''', and dedicated bike lanes from Colonial Circle south to '''Symphony Circle'''. There is also a dedicated bike lane on each side of Porter Avenue between Symphony Circle and Niagara Street, and a signed off-street bike path west of Niagara Street as far as '''LaSalle Park''', where it connects to the Riverwalk. Hudson Street boasts parallel bike lanes on each side between Plymouth and Busti Avenues, with sharrows in place east to Wadsworth Street and west to 4th Street; the latter connects to LaSalle Park via a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 190. As well, sharrows lead from Hudson Street to Symphony Circle by way of West Avenue and Pennsylvania Street, and are in place on Connecticut Street between Niagara Street and Richmond Avenue and on Wadsworth Street from Symphony Circle to Allen Street.
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| content=Broderick Park is a small waterfront green space located at the southern tip of
Squaw
Island. This spot is historically important as one of Western New York's major crossing points into Canada for fugitive slaves travelling the [[Underground Railroad]], as attested to by a prominent historical marker and the occasional historical reenactments that take place there. This was also the site from which the ferry service to Fort Erie, Ontario set off in the days before the '''Peace Bridge'''. Today, Broderick Park is a popular fishing spot where perch, yellow and northern pike, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and other species native to the Niagara River are reeled in, and is also a haven for picnickers, sunbathers, and bicyclists who pass through the park along the '''Riverwalk'''. Amenities include a picnic shelter, as well as a newly constructed amphitheater, gardens, and interpretive exhibits. Broderick Park is also the northern terminus of the '''Bird Island Pier''' (see below). '''''(NOTE: Broderick Park and the Bird Island Pier will be closed until January 2016 due to ongoing upgrades to the Ferry Street Lift Bridge.)'''''
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| content=Broderick Park is a small waterfront green space located at the southern tip of
Unity
Island. This spot is historically important as one of Western New York's major crossing points into Canada for fugitive slaves travelling the [[Underground Railroad]], as attested to by a prominent historical marker and the occasional historical reenactments that take place there. This was also the site from which the ferry service to Fort Erie, Ontario set off in the days before the '''Peace Bridge'''. Today, Broderick Park is a popular fishing spot where perch, yellow and northern pike, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and other species native to the Niagara River are reeled in, and is also a haven for picnickers, sunbathers, and bicyclists who pass through the park along the '''Riverwalk'''. Amenities include a picnic shelter, as well as a newly constructed amphitheater, gardens, and interpretive exhibits. Broderick Park is also the northern terminus of the '''Bird Island Pier''' (see below). '''''(NOTE: Broderick Park and the Bird Island Pier will be closed until January 2016 due to ongoing upgrades to the Ferry Street Lift Bridge.)'''''
}}
}}
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}}
}}
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In addition to the large parks listed above, the West Side also contains many smaller green spaces that are pleasant places for visitors. Covering two blocks at the corner of Porter Avenue and Niagara Street, in the shadow of the massive '''Connecticut Street Armory''', is {{marker|type=see|name=Prospect Park|lat=42.902077|long=-78.892933}}. When Frederick Law Olmsted was doing his work in Buffalo, he planned to redesign this already-extant park and integrate it into his system, but that presumably never came to pass: its layout today bears little resemblance to his typical work. Further north, {{marker|type=see|name=
Squaw
Island Park|lat=42.930548|long=-78.904863}} has occupied the north end of its namesake since 2004; it's popular for fishing and boasts an ample lawn perfect for picnickers. Near the corner of Niagara and Ontario Streets, {{marker|type=see|name=Black Rock Canal Park|lat=42.947486|long=-78.908417}} contains a dog run, fishing pier, and boat launch and boasts lovely views of the Buffalo waterfront, [[Grand Island (New York)|Grand Island]], and Canada. '''''(NOTE: Black Rock Canal Park will be closed through the end of summer 2015 due to construction.)''''' Finally, the West Village contains the charming {{marker|type=see|name=Johnson Park|lat=42.89263|long=-78.878856}}, a small "residential park" similar to the two in Allentown that's located on the former estate of Buffalo's first mayor, Dr. Ebenezer Johnson.
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In addition to the large parks listed above, the West Side also contains many smaller green spaces that are pleasant places for visitors. Covering two blocks at the corner of Porter Avenue and Niagara Street, in the shadow of the massive '''Connecticut Street Armory''', is {{marker|type=see|name=Prospect Park|lat=42.902077|long=-78.892933}}. When Frederick Law Olmsted was doing his work in Buffalo, he planned to redesign this already-extant park and integrate it into his system, but that presumably never came to pass: its layout today bears little resemblance to his typical work. Further north, {{marker|type=see|name=
Unity
Island Park|lat=42.930548|long=-78.904863}} has occupied the north end of its namesake since 2004; it's popular for fishing and boasts an ample lawn perfect for picnickers. Near the corner of Niagara and Ontario Streets, {{marker|type=see|name=Black Rock Canal Park|lat=42.947486|long=-78.908417}} contains a dog run, fishing pier, and boat launch and boasts lovely views of the Buffalo waterfront, [[Grand Island (New York)|Grand Island]], and Canada. '''''(NOTE: Black Rock Canal Park will be closed through the end of summer 2015 due to construction.)''''' Finally, the West Village contains the charming {{marker|type=see|name=Johnson Park|lat=42.89263|long=-78.878856}}, a small "residential park" similar to the two in Allentown that's located on the former estate of Buffalo's first mayor, Dr. Ebenezer Johnson.
====Other outdoor attractions====
====Other outdoor attractions====