(This 853rd Buffalo Sunday News column was first published on July 29, 2007.)
Our Group at Times Beach
On July 14 I joined Larry Brooks on a three hour Buffalo Niagara
Riverkeeper tour along the Buffalo River and Lake Erie waterfront. It was a sunny Saturday morning when our
group set out from the Erie Basin Marina on bicycles headed for the Coast Guard
Station which we could see just across the Buffalo River.
The
trip (to be repeated on August 12) was very different from my earlier venture
several years ago. Then much of it was blocked by construction. Now Larry led
us down narrow alleys set aside for bikes past the subway terminal over the
bridge and out to the waterfront. It is now an excellent route.
Along
the way Larry described many of the waterfront problems being addressed and in
a number of cases already solved. Although a great deal remains to be done, his
message was a very positive one: much is being accomplished. I came away proud
of Buffalo's and the Riverkeepers' achievements.
I
recommend these tours as I can imagine no better way to spend a few hours in
Buffalo. Reservations are required and a small donation varying from $10 to $20
is requested to cover insurance. To participate and for directions contact
www.bnriverkeeper.org or 852-7483. Here are the remaining tours:
August
4th, 10:00 a.m.: Miss Buffalo cruise up the Buffalo River. Buffalo River
Coordinator Jill Jedlicka will explain what potential this real estate offers
our region for recreation, development, and public health, what state it is in,
and what is being done about it.
August
11th, 9:00 a.m.: Paddle the Buffalo River from the DEC Harlem Road access site
down the nation's first urban canoe trail to the confluence of the Cazenovia
watching Riverkeeper staff do water sampling as they explain the unique
problems of this urban river system.
August
12th, 10:00 a.m.: Outer Harbor Bike tour: a repeat of the trip I described.
Ride along a ten-mile route down to City line and back with numerous stops to
talk about parks, public access, recreation, water quality and more.
August
17th, 5:00 p.m.: Start the weekend right with exercise, paddling the Buffalo
River from the DEC Harlem Road access site down the nation's first urban canoe
trail to the confluence of the Cazenovia as we explain the unique problems of
this urban river system.
August
18th, Noon: Hike along the banks of Scajaquada Creek, from the point where it
tunnels around Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park to the mouth at the Black Rock Canal.
Meet at the Historical Society parking lot and let our guide tell you about
what is happened and happening to the Creek that goes through Cheektowaga,
through a tunnel under the City, and surfaces in Forest Lawn.
August
25th, 9:00 a.m.: Paddle along the Little River and up the Cayuga Creek in
Niagara Falls. This urban creek has a 34-square-mile watershed and lots of
potential and lots of problems. Active community groups are making things
happen. To find out about it, meet our guide at the Griffon Park boat launch.
September
1st, 9:00 a.m.: Launch from Broderick Park and paddle up the Black Rock Canal
and up the Scajaquada Creek past Grant Street, hearing about what has happened
and is happening to the Creek that goes through Cheektowaga, through a tunnel
under the City, surfacing in Forest Lawn, tunneling around Hoyt Lake in
Delaware Park, and dumping into the Canal.
September
2nd, 10:00 a.m.: Bike the Riverwalk from Erie Basin Marina to one of Buffalo's
newest parks at Squaw Island. Along the way we will tell you about public
health, recreation, development, access, and water quality issues, how they
affect you and what is being done about them.
September
22nd, 9:00 a.m.: Paddle the Buffalo River from the DEC Harlem Road access site
down the nation's first urban canoe trail to the confluence of the Cazenovia
watching Riverkeeper staff do water sampling as they explain the unique
problems of this urban river system. Donation $15.
September
23rd, 10:00 a.m.: Hike along the lower Niagara River in a gorge with old growth
trees, wildlife, geology, and a history that is unlike any other in the world.
Our guide will tell you about the impact of Niagara Greenway plans on the
future for this natural treasure.-- Gerry Rising