Front, The

Of the three landscapes created by Frederick Law Olmsted when he designed the Buffalo Park System, The Front was most popular, designed specifically to accommodate formal events, and most frequented, due to its proximity to the city center. The 1870 plan shows the northern tip of The Front occupied by the military base, Fort Porter, and a playground and paved terrace in the southern portion of the park. Olmsted’s aim when designing the 32 acres was to emphasize the surrounding natural beauty, and put focus on the adjacent Erie Canal and Niagara River. The Olmsted firm made revisions to the Front in the 1890s adding additional recreation fields and bathing facilities. A plan from 1899 details a proposed expansion, never accomplished, when The Front was under consideration for the site of the next Pan–American exposition. The borders and entrances of the park have moved since Olmsted’s involvement in the project, and the Front has reduced in size and visitation.