The Buffalo park system, began in 1868, was the first time that Olmsted and Vaux tried to integrate a system of parks and parkways. It was also the first attempt in America to layout a coordinated system of public parks and parkways.

Originally when Olmsted was offered the commission of designing the park, he was shown three different parcels, and asked to choose the best. He told the city to purchase all three.

Olmsted incorporated three elements into the park system: a large park, the 350 acre, Delaware Park, a large meadow park with 120 acres, and a parade ground in the inland area. Finally Olmsted and Vaux added the system of parkways all which connected the parks. These parkways excluded all commercial traffic and were aimed at extending the park experience throughout the city.

Luckily, the majority of Olmsted's designs in Buffalo are still extensively intact and represent offer one of the best examples of a coordinated system of parks and parkways. The Olmsted designed portions of the Buffalo park system are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Buffalo Parks

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Buffalo Park and Parkway System