Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences (BSNS) today held a ceremonial boardwalk breaking at Tifft Nature Preserve to commemorate the beginning of the construction phase of a $2.15 million accessible trail that will be wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly. The three-quarter-mile trail loop will begin at the Herb and Jane Darling Environmental Education center and lead visitors through woods and around the Preserve’s Heritage Boardwalk.
The trail will offer concrete walkways leading to the entrance and emergency exits of the Education Center, a welcome kiosk with tactile map at the trailhead, a compacted stone dust trail surface, simplified trail intersections, and a complete rebuild of the Heritage Boardwalk. An elevated ADA-compliant viewing area will be added to the widened boardwalk for unobstructed views of Tifft’s cattail marsh.
Gary Siddall, President and CEO of the BSNS which operates Tifft and the Buffalo Museum of Science, said the impetus for an accessible trail was driven by visitor request. “We’re excited and look forward to realizing a collective vision to make the Preserve’s most-traveled pathway accessible to Tifft visitors of all ages and mobility.”
The BSNS is partnering with Nature’s Way Contracting, a New York State Women Owned Enterprise based in Akron, NY, to complete the project. The trail is anticipated to open by fall 2025 and will be available to visitors daily from dawn to dusk when not covered by snow or ice. Trail architects advise against clearing snow to maintain the longevity and integrity of the trail surface.
While the trail is under construction, Tifft will continue to maintain the other four miles of trails and boardwalks for visitors to enjoy.
The BSNS received financial support for the accessible trail from Erie County, New York State, Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund, NYS Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the Montgomery Family Foundation. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo also provided the funds necessary to perform the feasibility study and develop the initial trail designs with architectural firm Stantec.
Separate from the trail project, Siddall announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a $1,034,940 grant to Erie County, of which $810,940 will be directed to Tifft Nature Preserve to support several habitat restoration and stewardship projects, including the installation of a new pump for cattail marsh water level management, the creation of a turtle nesting beach, removal of invasive species north of Lake Kirsty, and cattail removal and replanting on five acres within the marsh.
“The Buffalo Society of Natural Science is proud to ensure that Tifft is available as a resource for all that nature can teach us and offer free, year-round access to its 264 acres and five miles of trails and boardwalks. This financial support from the EPA is instrumental to our ability to maintain the important habitats that make the Preserve such a special place for environmental education, respite, and wonder,” said Siddall.
Congressman Tim Kennedy said, “Today’s groundbreaking at Tifft Nature Preserve is a powerful example of how we can connect our community with nature while ensuring inclusivity and opportunity. The new accessible trail loop and ADA-compliant viewing area will allow visitors of all ages and abilities to experience the Preserve’s beauty, enriching lives and fostering connection with our environment. This project is more than a trail; with a local women-owned business leading the construction, it is boosting our regional economy and creating jobs right here in Western New York. I am proud to have secured $1 million at the federal level to enhance the preserve’s natural habitats and $350,000 at the state level to improve accessibility—all to uplift our economy, and bring us closer to the natural world.”
“Visitors of all ages and abilities will soon be able to experience all that nature has to offer in a safe and scenic environment once this trail is completed,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Making it easier to access such a treasured community destination will bring joy to local families as well as visitors to our region. I thank our various partners on this project for helping to make the concept of the accessible trail an eventual reality.”
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Tifft Nature Preserve is a unique environmental gem nestled right within the heart of our city. An outdoor education center with a diverse habitat, not far from the industrial grain silos, Tifft offers residents an environmental oasis with a metropolitan backdrop. I am excited that the $200,000 I’ve secured in state funding to help create an ADA-accessible trail for those with disabilities will allow even more of our neighbors to enjoy all of the wonderful trails that Tifft offers.”
“The Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee has been helping to fund important projects at Tifft Nature Preserve since 2009, most recently with a $400,000 commitment to the Accessible Trail project that we are here to officially open today. It’s projects like these that will leave a lasting legacy within the Niagara River Greenway,” said Daniel Castle, Chair of the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Committee and Commissioner Erie County Environment and Planning.
“The Accessible Trail Project represents a significant step towards enhancing our community’s access to nature, and NYPA is proud to contribute through funds tied to the relicensing agreement of the Niagara Power Project,” said NYPA Chairman and Buffalo resident John R. Koelmel. “This project will further support ongoing ecological restoration efforts at the preserve and bolster the sustainable future of the Niagara River Greenway.”
City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “During my tenure as South District Council Member on the Buffalo Common Council, I was proud to have Tifft Nature Preserve as part of my district and saw how it enriched our community through its natural beauty and educational programs. Now, as Mayor of the City of Buffalo, I am thrilled to see the completion of the accessible trail project, designed to be wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly, ensuring that individuals of all abilities can fully experience everything Tifft has to offer.”
“I am proud I helped deliver the vital $ 1 million-plus federal support from the EPA to expand the wonderful an accessible boardwalk trail at the Tifft Nature Preserve,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Thanks to our advocacy with the EPA, as well as support and collaboration across all levels, this accessible trail will open up the beauty of Buffalo to individuals of all abilities while ensuring the preservation of critical habitats for generations to come. I’m proud to support investments like these that enrich lives, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities.”
Senator Sean Ryan said, “The Tifft Nature Preserve is a great example of how Buffalo’s past can be repurposed for our future. When you stroll through today, it’s hard to imagine it was once a dumpsite. With a new accessible trail, even more Western New Yorkers will be able to enjoy it. We are fortunate to have such a beautifully maintained greenspace in the City of Buffalo and even more fortunate that BSNS are great stewards of the preserve.”
“People of all ages and abilities will soon have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Tifft Nature Preserve,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Ensuring that everyone can connect with nature is essential for fostering a healthier, more inclusive community. Additionally, the restoration of habitats for local species to flourish will safeguard the Preserve for generations to come. I am proud to have advocated for this funding and remain committed to prioritizing efforts like this in the future.”
More information on the accessible trail project and ecological management at Tifft can be found at tifft.org.
