Ryan announces start of next phase of construction at Ralph Wilson Park

Submitted by the Office of City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan was joined recently by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy to announce the beginning of phase 2 of construction of the Ralph Wilson Park.

The City of Buffalo has signed a contract with Gilbane Building Co. for phase 2 of the park's construction. This phase includes the creation of the play garden, anchored by a 130-foot-long model lake freighter play structure, as well as significant landscaping, playground installation, pathway and roadway construction, shoreline improvements, and completion of the remaining waterfront enhancements. 

“We’re excited to announce the next phase of this project that is transforming our waterfront and creating a destination for generations of Buffalonians to enjoy,” Ryan said. “Thanks to the vision and investment of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the dedication of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy, and the support of our many public and private partners, Ralph Wilson Park will become a world-class asset for our city that will connect neighborhoods, expand recreational opportunities, and strengthen Buffalo’s relationship with its waterfront.”

Construction on phase 1 of the project is nearing completion, with significant progress made across the site. Remaining work in this initial phase includes lawn installation, landscaping, park signage, benches and site furnishings, final roadway construction, and water main repairs. 

Phase 2 will consist of three components: 

•Phase 2A: $3.4 million for the purchase of playground equipment 

•Phase 2B: $7.5 million for subsurface infrastructure and site preparation beneath the playground and surrounding grounds 

•Phase 2C: $67.5 million for playground installation, landscaping, pathways, roadways, and shoreline improvements 

Images provided by the Office of City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan.

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“The Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy is grateful to the City of Buffalo and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, along with dozens of other partners, for their leadership and support of this community-driven park transformation,” said Charlie Torres, chair of the board of directors of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy and longtime leader of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade, one of the park’s longstanding annual events. “The Conservancy is ready to partner with City of Buffalo to manage, operate and program the park once construction is substantially complete.”

The project is funded through support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, along with city, state and federal investments and private philanthropic contributions.

“(This) announcement reflects the community-driven vision that has guided the transformation of this 100-acre park from the very beginning,” said David Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “We are proud to celebrate the remarkable progress that has improved accessibility and strengthened the long-term sustainability of this beloved community asset. We are grateful to the City of Buffalo, the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy, and many partners and organizations for their collaboration and commitment to creating a park that will serve and inspire generations to come.” 

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t hear someone in Buffalo talk about what this park means to them and how excited they are to see its continued transformation,” said Mary Wilson, wife of the late Ralph C. Wilson Jr. and a life trustee of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “I’m inspired by the commitment of every partner, organization and engaged community member who has helped bring us to this moment and is helping make this next phase possible. What makes Ralph Wilson Park so special is that it was designed for everyone – creating opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to gather, play, connect, and make memories together. That spirit reflects Ralph himself, whose life was defined by bringing people together and investing in the people and communities he loved.” 

While construction areas remain closed to the public, residents can continue to enjoy several completed amenities, including the community-designed KABOOM! playground, skate park, splash pad, swimming pool, football field, temporary dog park, and the Levitt VIBE concert series, all located along Fourth Street. 

For more information about Ralph Wilson Park and the Levitt VIBE concert series, visit rwparkbuffalo.org. 

More about Ralph Wilson Park: The park’s design was shaped through Imagine LaSalle, a multi-year community engagement initiative led by the University at Buffalo Regional Institute (UBRI). The process included a collaborative focus group that traveled to world-class parks in Chicago, Cincinnati and New York City, as well as outreach to more than 1,200 local stakeholders through surveys and public meetings.

Originally developed in 2018 as a plan to redevelop 30-40 acres of LaSalle Park, the project expanded significantly based on community feedback. It now includes major infrastructure improvements such as the new pedestrian bridge over the I-190, the beautification of the Fourth Street Park, and the 1-mile reconstruction of a deteriorating, century-old sea wall.

The multiphased construction effort began in July 2023, focusing on converting the vertical cement seawall into a resilient, naturalized armored slope and inlet to improve habitat and reduce flooding. Additionally, the pedestrian bridge improves safe waterfront access from Buffalo’s lower west side through the Fourth Street Park. In 2018, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation made a lead commitment to support the City of Buffalo and surrounding communities to transform the former LaSalle Park into a best-in-class destination. The transformation is being funded in part by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, along with city, state and federal funding sources for key infrastructure projects, as well as private corporations and foundations.