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Outta the box WNY daytrips
Flora, fauna, rusted industry:
An urban hike to Concrete Central
Story and Photos by Nancy J. Parisi
There are three Buffalo River parks that could be classified as both pocket and industrial parks. Located on Smith Street, Bailey Avenue, and Ohio Street, they demonstrate nature is overtaking former havens of industry. They are each free and accessible for fishing, relaxing, and some incredible urban hikes; cameras and picnic lunches are highly recommended.
The most picturesque hike for viewing urban nature and grand views of several of the grain elevators begins at the Smith Street park location, which is also the most remote of the three parks.
Smith Street’s terminus, just off of the 190 at exit 4/Smith Street, is to the south of South Park Avenue. Smith Street is still residential, one of several neighborhoods in the Valley and nearby Old First Ward lined with modest homes. Stay to the right and park in the refurbished, paved parking lot rimmed with large rocks. Note the nearby pond where industrious beavers toil, turtles sun themselves, and geese and hawks gather.
On this hike, which leads to the most massive grain elevator in Buffalo, Concrete Central, you will probably spot deer. They are equally prevalent at Tifft Nature Preserve, on nearby Hamburg Street, and may also be seen along Route 5. On one spring hike, as I was explaining to a famed German jazz musician playing a Hallwalls gig how this site inspired the Bauhaus architects, we were nearly stampeded by a herd of deer.
Beyond the pond there is a clearly marked, well-worn pathway leading to the CSX railroad tracks where you may note a No Trespassing sign. Proceed at your own risk. There is an active railroad bridge that must be crossed and metal sections link the railroad ties across the bridge. It’s best to keep eyes on the horizon or just ahead of one’s steps; looking down at the river below may lead to sudden paralysis.
CSX mows the pathways in the grasses around Concrete Central so there are neat trails to follow. These trails are often littered with paintball remnants (this is a popular place for the sport), rusted-out cars, and other industrial curios.
The awe-inspiring Concrete Central stretches for a quarter-mile, its fairly indestructible concrete silos and some surviving machinery visible from the exterior. It’s possible to view a large amount of the grain elevator from both sides: just don’t try to enter the building, because several sections are unstable.
On the farthest southern side, look for what is called “the joe cart,” lying on its rusted tracks and rising as high as the grain elevator; joe carts were used to load and unload grain from railroad cars and ships. There are many peaceful spots along the Buffalo River that are perfect for a picnic: the wind is always rushing through the trees and grasses, and traffic sounds from Route 5 and the 190 are far in the distance. This urban/nature/industrial destination is minutes from downtown, which can be seen on the horizon.
Nancy J. Parisi is a journalist and photojournalist in Buffalo. She holds an MFA from Parsons School of Design.
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