Western New York Outdoor Recreation and Cultural Tourism Study

December 16, 2025

This study, written by the SE Group and supported by a Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation grant to the Natural Heritage Trust, explores the state of outdoor recreation and cultural tourism in Western New York (WNY). Developed in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, New York State Parks, and Empire State Development, the study outlines the region’s major tourism assets. With this, SE Group puts forward regional branding ideas, opportunities to support and grow WNY’s tourism assets and benefits, and case studies of other regions to understand strategies that WNY’s tourism sector can learn from.

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Belle Isle Park Multimodal Mobility Study

December 15, 2025

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Belle Isle Conservancy, produced this study of the transportation network at Belle Isle. The DNR grounds this report in an assessment of current transportation conditions on the island. Through data collection and analysis of attendance and parking capacity, along with public and stakeholder engagement, the DNR identifies visitor driving and access challenges and presents recommendations and phased improvements informed by community input. These recommendations aim to create a more inclusive and efficient transportation network for all modes and abilities on and around Belle Isle. 

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Joe Louis Greenway Framework Plan

Parks Master Plan – City of Buffalo

Managing High-Quality Park Environments – Models and Lessons from Selected Parks in New York City, Chicago and Cincinnati

Imagine LaSalle – A Community Vision for Buffalo’s LaSalle Park

Raincheck 2.0: Opportunity Report – The Next Generation of Green Infrastructure in Buffalo

Playbook for Playspace Equity: Increasing Equitable Access to Great Courts and Fields in Southeast Michigan & Western New York

Built to Play Evaluation Report

Hochul announces $10M for Centennial Park project in Buffalo