The Northeast Greenway Initiative

Students explore route options for the Northeast Greenway rails-to-trails studio project with their instructor, Ellen Parker (center).

Students explore route options for the Northeast Greenway rails-to-trails studio project with their instructor, Ellen Parker (center)

A graduate-level studio engaged the neighborhood surrounding UB's South Campus in exploring the possibilities for extending a critical rails-to-trails greenway. This one-mile trail, called the Northeast Greenway, would be a much needed link in Buffalo’s trail network connecting the existing North Buffalo and Tonawanda Rails to Trails to the East Side.  

Faculty

Ellen Parker

Term

Fall 2019

Program

Master of Urban Planning

Directed by urban planning adjunct professor Ellen Parker, AICP, who is also a practicing urban planner in the Buffalo area, the studio sought to harness community connections both physically through design of trailheads and integration with existing transportation infrastructure. Students also aimed to promote a healthier neighborhood through active living and also a fully accessible trail for all types of potential users. The trail extension is viewed as both an asset for environmental health and a source of economic activation.

Working directly in partnership with the commmunity, the studio engaged Darren Cotton (MUP '10) and Stephanie Bucalo from the University District Community Development Association (UDCDA), a non-profit dedicated to community and housing development projects throughout South Campus’ backyard.

Building upon the successes of the North Buffalo Rails to Trails, which was brought to fruition through tireless community activism, the Northeast Greenway will continue the conversion of unused railroad corridors within Buffalo, creating a paved multi-use trail that is both a space for recreation and also a travel corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Student participants

Andrew Schaefer
Courtney Domst
Drew Canfield
Grace DeSantis
Jilong Li
Joshua Wilcox
Julia White
Priyadharshini Balan
Rachel Bailey
Tyler Madell
Violet Perry
Xieyang Xing