Frederick Law Olmsted and the Buffalo park and parkway systems: A study of the planning and design responses to 19th century urban growth, and changing needs and values of the 20th century

Two park and parkway systems exist in Buffalo, New York as a result of the efforts of a group of concerned citizens, who initiated the park projects to provide the city with recreation areas before rapid development consumed open lands. One system, planned in 1868, is the first such system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. The other, planned nearly a quarter century later, was designed to complement the first. Major encroachments against Buffalo's parks began with the 1901 Pan American Exposition, and resulted in the loss of much of their design integrity.; This thesis examines the history of Buffalo, New York, and the park projects designed for that city by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and his successor firms. It illustrates: That a system of open spaces was planned in Buffalo as a response to rapid urban growth; That this system influenced later urban planning and design decisions in Buffalo; and, That 20th century urban planning and design decisions affected these park projects. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...