the trailhead

Emerging from the beginning of the trail is a sculptural bow. Most of the grain workers of the 20th century lived in the Old First Ward, shoveling grain from lake freighters to silos. Freighters are still an infrequent presence on the Buffalo River. The trailhead pays homage to this legacy.

Adjacent to the bow is a grand staircase, which offers a public place to gather amidst a series of new mixed use building that abut the trail.

The Trail

A typical section of trail on The Del is comprised of wildflowers and spaces to recreate and relax. Separate paths allow commuter cyclists to safely and speedily traverse the corridor on a direct path, while pedestrians are free to meander on theirs. The rail ribbon creates a boundary between the two, while bringing a playful remembrance of the rails and trains that once occupied the land.

THE BridgeS

The bridges reconnect the berms that were disconnected when the rail infrastructure was demolished. They continue the freighter motif created at The Trailhead. Stairs and ramps at each intersection ensure that The Del can tie into existing transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure while creating access for all adjacent residents.

The terraces

Stepped terraces create a flexible space for meetings, play, picnics, and concerts. As one of the few mowed areas of The Del, they provide a striking contrast to the meadows and brush of adjacent sections.

The SlopeS

Given Buffalo’s strong winter season, any park must include consideration for winter activities. This section creates a sledding hill directly off of the trail. Across the path, a terraced community garden provides rentable plots for neighbors to grow their own food.

swinghenge

Swingehenge creates a towering focal point at the middle of The Del, marking the transition between urban blocks and natural preserve. In the summer, it creates a circle of swings that welcome all to dangle together. In the winter, it transforms into a community ice skating rink.

train glade

The Train Glade highlights how the landscape has transformed since the days of the DL&W railroad. Once an elevated railbed, the berm was excavated and moved elsewhere, leaving plants and trees to reclaim the land. The rail ribbon straightens out here to show the exact route of the tracks, 20 feet above the new trail.

aerial view

Perched atop an in-tact section of the rail berm, the interpretive center provides a history of the DL&W railroad as well as an educational center on natural reclamation of post-industrial landscapes.

the double bridge

As the sole remaining original bridge, this section spans several active rail lines. Cutouts in the bridge provide viewports for trainspotters and industrial age aficionados, while a raised path allows cyclists to zip by overhead.

the photon

As the grand terminus to The Del, The Photon wraps the rail ribbon around a partial bridge that juts into the Buffalo River. A glass floor allows a window into the waters below, while a dock creates water level access for visitors to continue their journeys beyond the trail.

landscape section

This section shows the natural systems currently at play in this land, as well as the enhancements to be made. The existing large trees would be preserved and bolstered with enhanced biodiversity. Floating islands would create ecosystems for river life while acting as a natural buffer. Bolstered riparian and wetland zones allow the river to go through its natural cycles, a diametric departure from previous attempts to channelize it.