Exploring Times Beach Nature Preserve in Buffalo

Who would have guessed that a nature site like Times Beach Nature Preserve exists within the city of Buffalo? During a recent visit, our sister-in-law suggested a hike there. She loves the place and hikes there often. We agreed, and all headed out in one car. We parked along the side of the road (plenty of parking there the day we visited) and walked into one of several openings for foot traffic. This small preserve, encompassing only about 54 acres, really packs a punch as it includes shoreline, upland, forest and wetland.

In a shadowed area along the boardwalk, we noticed these snails on all the trees.

As we walked along the trail we watched butterflies visiting the many wildflowers on both sides of the trail. I heard a familiar call, and looked up to see a Great Crested Flycatcher on a low limb. The trail consisted of dirt trail and boardwalk, both comfortable to walk. On the boardwalk along the lake edge we found several bird blinds. This nature preserve is recognized as an important bird area and the entire Niagara Corridor is recognized as a “globally significant” important bird area. As we walked back through the wooded area, we saw three deer, including one fawn, in the distance. We stopped walking and they came fairly close but bolted as soon as we moved.

Curious as to how this nature preserve got its name, I checked the history. In the 1930s, the local newspaper called the Buffalo Times proposed a public beach in the area, hence the name. In the 1940s the beach closed as a health hazard. The city of Buffalo grew into a major industrial area and in those days environmental concerns were not recognized as they are today. The area began to be used to dump the dredge material from the dredging to keep the Buffalo River navigable. To get a good visual of this area, follow this link: http://www.buffaloah.com/a/water/times/times.html. The second photo down shows an aerial view.

The preserve opened in 2005 and the city of Buffalo manages the property. The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve advocate to maintain the preservation of the area.