View source for Delaware Park–Front Park System

{{Distinguish|Delaware Park Racetrack}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name         = Delaware Park–Front Park System
| nrhp_type    = hd
| nocat        = yes
| image        = Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2.jpg
| image_size   = 250
| caption      = Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park, with the [[Albright-Knox Art Gallery]].
| location     = Front Park, Porter Ave. to Symphony Cir., N along Richmond Ave., Bidwell Pkwy., Gates Cir. and Delaware Park, [[Buffalo, New York]]
| coordinates  = {{coord|42|55|10|N|78|52|47|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin     = New York#USA
| architect    = Olmsted, Frederick Law; Vaux, Calvert
| architecture =
| added        = March 30, 1982
| area         = {{convert|505.9|acre}}
| mpsub        = {{NRHP url|id=64000580|title=Olmsted Parks and Parkways TR}}
| refnum       = 82005029<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Abraham Lincoln by Bryant Baker, Buffalo NY.jpg|thumb|''Abraham Lincoln as a Boy'' by [[Bryant Baker]], Delaware Park (1935)]]
[[File:Statue of David in Delaware Park, Buffalo.jpg|thumb|Statue of David in Delaware Park]]
'''Delaware Park–Front Park System''' is a historic [[park]] system and national [[Historic district (United States)|historic district]] in the northern and western sections of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] in [[Erie County, New York]].  The park system was designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]] and [[Calvert Vaux]] and developed between 1868 and 1876.

The park system was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1982.<ref name="nris"/>

==Components==
The Delaware Park–Front Park System encompasses the following parts:<ref name="nrhpinv_ny">{{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100208|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Olmsted Parks and Parkways Thematic Resources|date=December 1981|access-date=2009-06-14|author=Claire L. Ross|publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616174713/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100208|archive-date=2012-06-16}} ''See also:'' {{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100206|title=Notifications|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616174745/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100206|archive-date=2012-06-16}} ''and'' {{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100207|title=Meeting minutes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616174755/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=100207|archive-date=2012-06-16}}</ref>

===Delaware Park===
The centerpiece of the [[Buffalo, New York parks system]] and located in the [[North Buffalo, Buffalo, New York|North Buffalo]] neighborhood. The {{convert|376|acre|adj=on}} park was named simply ''The Park'' by Olmsted; it was later renamed Delaware Park because of its proximity to [[Delaware Avenue Historic District (Buffalo, New York)|Delaware Avenue, Buffalo's mansion row]].  It is divided into two areas: the {{convert|243|acre|adj=on}} "Meadow Park" on the east and the {{convert|133|acre|adj=on}} "Water Park", with what was originally a {{convert|43|acre|adj=on}} lake,<ref name="kowsky">{{cite web |url=http://preserve.bfn.org/bam/kowsky/kowold/ |author=Kowsky, Francis R. |title=Municipal Parks and City Planning: Frederick Law Olmsted's Buffalo Park and Parkway System |date=2010-03-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713062314/http://preserve.bfn.org/bam/kowsky/kowold/ |archive-date=2006-07-13 }}</ref> on the west. The {{convert|12|acre|adj=on}} ravine and picnic grove on the south side of the lake comprise a subdivision of the latter.  Olmsted dammed [[Scajaquada Creek]] to create the lake, originally called Gala Water, then Delaware Park Lake, and now known as Hoyt Lake. The lake was a feature during the [[Pan-American Exposition]]. The [[New York State Route 198|Scajaquada Expressway]] bisects the park west to east.

The [[Albright-Knox Art Gallery]] occupies the park's western edge, overlooking Hoyt Lake, and the [[Buffalo History Museum]] is situated on its northern edge, overlooking Scajaquada Creek.  The park is home to [[Shakespeare in Delaware Park]], a summer tradition since the mid-1970s, and the second largest free outdoor Shakespeare festival in the [[United States]] (after [[New York City]]'s).  It is also the location of the [[Buffalo Zoo]] on the east side of Meadow Park.  The park has a golf course, two baseball diamonds, a softball diamond, cross country running, tennis courts, and soccer fields.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

Contributing structures are: Caretakers Cottage (1889); Lincoln Parkway Bridge (1900), designed by [[Edward Brodhead Green|Green and Wicks]]; Rose Garden Pergola (1912); Stone Bridge (ca. 1887), the only remaining structure from the original Olmsted plan; Parkside Lodge (1914); Rumsey Shelter (1900); Main Zoo Building (1935–1940); Shelter House (ca. 1900); and Elephant House (ca. 1912).<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>  Located north of the park are the [[Parkside East Historic District]] and [[Parkside West Historic District]] and to the south are the [[Elmwood Historic District–East]] and [[Elmwood Historic District–West]], all listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris"/>

====Statue of David====
The park is home to an exact [[Replicas of Michelangelo's David|replica of Michelangelo's David]]. It is 18 feet tall and weighs 3000 pounds. The statue was dedicated in 1903,<ref name="BN1">{{cite news |title=25 can't-miss pieces of Buffalo's public art |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/10/26/gallery9008/#image=3 |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=Buffalo News |date=26 October 2018}}</ref> one of only three bronze replicas made of the original sculpture.<ref name="BN2">{{cite news |title=25 can't-miss pieces of Buffalo's public art |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/10/26/gallery9008/#image=4 |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=Buffalo News |date=26 October 2018}}</ref> At one time it included a fig leaf, which was not present in the original; this was later removed so David can be viewed in all his glory.<ref name="BN1" /> When the statue was rededicated in 2013, it was given a new plaque which corrected the spelling of the artist's name from Michael Angelo to Michelangelo.<ref>{{cite news |title=25 can't-miss pieces of Buffalo's public art |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/10/26/gallery9008/#image=5 |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=Buffalo News |date=26 October 2018}}</ref>

===Gates Circle===
Originally Chapin Place, a {{convert|5|acre|adj=on}} plot measuring {{convert|500|by|420|ft}} at the intersection of Delaware Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, and Chapin Parkway.  The circle's center contains a monumental sunken [[fountain]] constructed in 1904.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Chapin Parkway===
Connects Gates Circle and Soldier's Place; {{convert|1904|ft}} in length.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Soldier's Place===
Consists of an {{convert|8.8|acre|adj=on}} area {{convert|700|ft}} in diameter at the juncture of Bidwell Parkway, Lincoln Parkway, Bird Avenue, and Chapin Parkway.  [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]'s [[William R. Heath House]] (1904) overlooks the circle at Bird Avenue.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Lincoln Parkway===
A {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}}, {{convert|9|acre|adj=on}} thoroughfare, connecting Soldier's Place to Delaware Park; {{convert|1965|ft}} in length.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Bidwell Parkway===
A {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}}, {{convert|10.7|acre|adj=on}} thoroughfare, connecting Colonial Circle to Soldier's Place; {{convert|2323|ft}} in length.  At its intersection with Soldier's Place is a large bronze sculpture by [[Larry Griffiths]] titled ''Birds in Flight'' (1980).<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Colonial Circle===
[[File:Colonial Circle, Buffalo, New York.jpg|thumb|right|Colonial Circle]]
Formerly Bidwell Place; a {{convert|5.4|acre|adj=on}} plot, {{convert|510|by|465|ft}}, at the intersection of Richmond Avenue, Bidwell Parkway, and Lafayette Avenue.  The circle's center contains an equestrian statue of General [[Daniel D. Bidwell]].<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Richmond Avenue===
Originally The Avenue; connects Symphony Circle to Colonial Circle; {{convert|100|ft}} wide and {{convert|6022|ft}} in length.  It traverses Ferry Circle at West Ferry Street.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Ferry Circle===
A {{convert|300|ft|m|adj=mid|-diameter}} circle at the intersection of West Ferry Street, Massachusetts Street, and Richmond Avenue.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Symphony Circle===
Originally known as just The Circle. A {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=mid|-diameter}}, {{convert|4.5|acre|adj=on}} circle at the juncture of Porter Avenue with Richmond Avenue, North Street, Pennsylvania Street, and Wadsworth Street. Due south of the circle lies [[First Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, New York)|First Presbyterian Church]], Buffalo's oldest congregation. [[Kleinhans Music Hall]] is located on the southeast side of the circle; it was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1989.<ref name="nris"/>  The circle is located within the [[Allentown Historic District (Buffalo, New York)|Allentown Historic District]].<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Porter Avenue===
A former city street incorporated into the parks system; connects Symphony Circle to Columbus Park and Front Park.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Columbus Park===
Formerly Prospect Park; located at the intersection of [[New York State Route 266|Niagara Street]] and Porter Avenue; the site of the [[Connecticut Street Armory]]. The park is located adjacent to [[D'Youville College]] and is home to a branch of the [[Buffalo & Erie County Public Library]].  The Shelter House (ca. 1908) is a contributing structure.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

===Front Park===
Formerly The Front; a {{convert|32|acre|adj=on}} park located at the beginning of the [[Niagara River]] and overlooking [[Lake Erie]].  The park is home to the U.S. entrance to the [[Peace Bridge]], erected in 1927 on the site of the former [[Fort Porter]], and includes baseball diamonds, large open playing fields, and tennis courts.  The park contains a monument to Commodore [[Oliver Hazard Perry]].  The Picnic Shelter (ca. 1900) is a contributing structure.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny"/>

==See also==
*[[Cazenovia Park-South Park System]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Delaware Park, Buffalo}}
*[https://www.bfloparks.org/parks/delaware-park/ Delaware Park] - Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
*[http://www.olmstedinbuffalo.org/ Olmsted Parks in Buffalo] from Stanton M. Broderick
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060713062314/http://preserve.bfn.org/bam/kowsky/kowold/ Buffalo as an Architectural Museum, "Municipal Parks and City Planning: Frederick Law Olmsted's Buffalo Park and Parkway System,"] by Francis R. Kowsky, Reprinted with permission from the ''Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians'', March 1987.
*[http://lalh.org/films/best-planned-city-film The Best Planned City An online film about Frederick Law Olmsted and the Buffalo Park System]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mfq5VJx3HM Short video of the Bidwell Parkway]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75312827 National Archives Catalog] - National Archives record for Delaware Park - Front Park System

{{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}
{{City of Buffalo, New York}}
{{Protected areas of Erie County, New York}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delaware Park-Front Park System}}
[[Category:Geography of Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Baseball venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Cross country running courses in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Golf clubs and courses in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Tennis venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Parks in Erie County, New York]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Frederick Law Olmsted works]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Buffalo, New York]]