Ship Canal Commons

Public Open Space

Ship Canal Commons is at the southern end of Buffalo’s burgeoning Outer Harbor park system, and is the former home to the Hanna Furnace Corporation. Development of a 22-acre interpretive greenspace straddling the canal that pays homage to this site’s industrial past while simultaneously providing unique and varied experiences for visitors. The 11-acres along the north side of the canal were treated as a pastoral passive activity space, while the 11-acres on the south side of the canal was developed into a more active space incorporating landscape interpretations of what once existed on the historic factory site.

Some interpretive features include: Unique land forms which simulate piles of limestone and ore that once existed along the Canal. Densely planted rows of trees reflect the dense population of grand industrial buildings that once lined the Canal. A 200’ long pedestrian bridge mimics former bridge cranes, a focal 25-ton steel ladle anchors the end of the canal.