Rolling with FLO: The Olmsted in Buffalo Bus Tour

The father of the public park movement in America, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. (FLO) was brought to Buffalo in 1868 for his far-sighted belief that parks, parkways, and residential communities were essential social institutions with great humanistic appeal. With his partner, Calvert Vaux, he left an indelible mark on our city that is still the most complete Olmsted parks and parkway system in the USA. This tour touches most of what FLO and his firm accomplished in Buffalo.

Our three-hour tour begins on the Richardson-Olmsted Campus at the entrance to the Richardson Hotel (Buffalo State University side of the building). We examine Delaware, Martin Luther King, Front, South, and Cazenovia Parks. In addition, we travel his parkways, and circles, examine public and private landscapes, and experience pocket parks and “once-were” parks with remaining artifacts.

Meet at the main entrance of the Richardson Hotel, which is on the north side of the building, facing Buffalo State University.