Big Win for Little Fish
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and City of Buffalo to celebrate completion of the innovative $13.4 million Emerald Shiner Fish Passage at Freedom Park.
Emerald shiners may be small, but they play a huge role in the Niagara River and Lake Erie ecosystems. They are a critical food source for larger fish such as walleye, rare birds such as common terns and other Great Lakes wildlife.
The new 778-foot passage uses 102 specially designed, concrete-filled steel baffles to slow the Niagara River’s powerful currents and create swimmable pathways for shiners moving upstream after spawning.
And it’s already working!
-Shiners have been observed swimming through the passage in groups of up to 100
-Water speeds have dropped below the fish’s swimming threshold
– Common terns have been seen hunting along the seawall — activity never previously observed at the site
-The demonstration structure successfully withstands river currents, debris and winter ice
Completed on time and within budget, the project was fully funded by the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and constructed using innovative techniques designed for the Niagara River’s challenging conditions.
A healthier shiner population supports healthier fish, birds and communities — and helps sustain a Great Lakes recreational fishery valued at $5.1 billion.
Read the full story: https://www.army.mil/article/294081
The East Side Garden Walk
In preparation for the East Side Garden Walk, Freedom Park is going to be a part of the fun. Thanks to some hardworking volunteers, the park is putting its best face forward for all visitors. We are grateful for the assistance of the good folk and are looking great.
Healing By the Water Opening Night!
Join the Friends of Freedom Park as we begin our sixth season of Healing by the Water in Freedom Park. This year’s slate of events kicks off on Thursday, July 9, at 5pm.
Each Healing by the Water will feature an evening of free, great music, community gathering groups, terrific food and a selection of items from local vendors all at the Freedom Park Amphitheater along with great fellowship.The growing popularity of Healing By the Water brings hundreds of visitors to the park each Thursday evening.
Music starts at 5pm. Feel free to use the seating available or bring your own chairs, Limited parking is available in the park along with plenty of street parking on Niagara Street, near the foot of Ferry St.
Healing By the Water Music Schedule
The roster has been released for performances during Healing By The Water. The music starts in just a few weeks, so save those dates. Check out the list below:
Park Cleanup Day – April 25th
Juneteenth – Freedom Day
The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery on January 1, 1863, but some Confederate states refused to enforce this law for for almost 2 1/2 years.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865 when the Union Army arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were now free by executive decree.
Save the date and join us in Freedom Park for a special program of Culture, Poetry and Healing and we honor and remember.
Healing By the Water 2026
Your Thursday evenings will be filled with joy very soon. It might not look like it outside currently, but before too long, it will time for Healing By The Water.
The annual summer celebration returns to Freedom Park to fill Thursday nights with music from some of the best musicians in the area and even some from out of town, along with a terrific collection of merchants, gift vendors, incredible food choices, one of the best places to view Western New York Summer Sunsets and some incredibly wonderful people.
If you have never been, it is a great summertime hang. If you know, you know and know that Thursdays in the Park will filled with peace, love and soul for another summer. Follow us on Facebook and keep checking here for updates!
Rolling to the River
Last year’s Healing By the Water series filled Freedom Park with music, soul, joy, great food, and cars. Hopefully all of that will be back when we start up again in July, but did you know we have never run out of bike parking. You can zip in and out on your bike without an issue, The protected bike lanes on Niagara Street make it really easy to sneak a little exercise in as you enjoy the evening with the rest of your Healing By The Water family.
Just scan the qr code above and you’ll get some great route suggestions to enjoy a great bike ride each Thursday for Healing By the Water or anytime you can come and enjoy Freedom Park. See you along the water.
Summer is Coming
It might not look like it from the photo above, but soon that space will fill with music, great vendors and the best people. You are going to want to be a part of it when Healing By The Water returns in the summer of 26.
