Ralph Wilson Park is a 100+-acre waterfront park on the shoreline of Lake Erie in downtown Buffalo. Rooted in a multi-year community visioning process, the park is undergoing a transformation to become one of the most beautiful and inclusive public spaces in the country, serving nearby residents and visitors from across the region and beyond.
Gilbane Building Company was selected as Construction Manager for the park in June 2022, and the official groundbreaking was held in July 2022. The core park was closed in July 2023 and the park is currently under active construction.
Construction continues on the main park, including the signature pedestrian bridge and the Great Lawn. The Great Lawn will be a location for respite and events. It will transition to a sledding hill during the winter month to ensure year-round activation.
The Grove will feature the Edith Wilson and Linda Bogdan Gardens. It creates an eye-popping entrance as park-goers walk into the park across the pedestrian bridge.
Initial construction will also include the inlet, a park element which combines shoreline resiliency with ecological uplift.
Throughout the construction, thousands of new trees and native plants will be added, as well as additional landscaping improvements.
Future construction will include the destination play garden, blueway site to increase safe water access, expanded bike and pedestrian trails, additional sports fields/courts, and more.
