Old First Ward Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Old First Ward Park is a public park located in the Old First Ward neighborhood of Buffalo, New York.


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Summary

The park covers an area of 1.5 acres and has a playground, a basketball court, a splash pad, and a picnic area. The park is a great place to visit for people of all ages, especially families with children.

One of the main points of interest at Old First Ward Park is the splash pad, which is a popular attraction during the summer months. The playground is also a favorite spot for kids to play, and the basketball court is a great place for teenagers and adults to shoot hoops. The park is also home to several murals that showcase the history and culture of the Old First Ward neighborhood.

The Old First Ward neighborhood has a rich history, and the park is a tribute to the area's industrial past. The park was built on the site of a former steel mill, and the playground equipment is designed to look like industrial machinery. The basketball court is also decorated with steel plates to honor the neighborhood's steelworkers.

The best time of year to visit Old First Ward Park is during the summer months when the splash pad is open and the weather is warm. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the playground and picnic area during the winter months.

In conclusion, Old First Ward Park is a great place to visit for families with children and anyone interested in the history and culture of the Old First Ward neighborhood. The park offers a variety of activities and points of interest, including a splash pad, playground, basketball court, and murals. Visitors can also learn about the area's industrial past and enjoy the park year-round.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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