New York is awarding $6 million toward Millrace Park, a planned public recreation space in Buffalo’s Larkinville neighborhood that officials expect to support nearby housing, retail and hospitality development.
The state grant announced Wednesday will be administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. The park is planned for 822 Seneca St., bordered by Seneca, Lord and Seymour streets, and is expected to open by fall 2028.
The nonprofit Millrace Park Inc. will own and operate the park. Planned amenities include a playground, miniature golf, tetherball, bocce, a tennis court, restrooms, an open lawn, shade structures and seating.
Funding and nearby development
The park is expected to cost about $8 million, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. Other support includes $1 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, $1 million from the Zemsky Family Foundation that includes donated land, nonconstruction costs and ongoing maintenance, and $250,000 from National Grid’s Urban Center/Commercial District Revitalization Program. Buffalo is supporting surrounding sidewalks and curbs.
The governor’s office projects that the park will help draw $50 million in new private investment nearby. The surrounding projects are part of the three-phase Larkin 2040 plan.
The first phase includes the park, restoration of an 1869 house on Seneca Street and a new commercial building and Oxford Pennant headquarters at 775 Seneca St. The restorations are intended to add street-level retail within walking distance of the park.
The second phase calls for rowhouse-style homes and additional food and hospitality businesses. The third includes a residential mid-rise building and a boutique hotel. The proposed developments are next to or adjacent to the park.
Larkin Development is in its 25th year of work in the historic district. More than $100 million in private funding has already been invested in the area, with more than 2 million square feet redeveloped for commercial, residential, restaurant and retail uses, according to the state.
The neighborhood was established in 1827 as The Hydraulics, before the Larkin Soap Company arrived in the 1870s. Its bicentennial is in 2027.
Broader state recreation investments
Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative supports other statewide recreation programs, including New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization, which has awarded more than $67.5 million for 89 projects across all 10 state regions.
The Statewide Investment in More Swimming program has awarded nearly $260 million for 79 projects. Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors has awarded $100 million for 30 community center projects, with another $75 million available in a second funding round.
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