Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

Martin Luther King Jr. Park, formerly known as The Parade and later as Humboldt Park, is a historic 56-acre park located in Buffalo, New York. Originally designed in 1874 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as part of Buffalo's park system, it has undergone several transformations over the years.

The park features a unique L-shaped layout and is situated on one of the highest points in the city of Buffalo. Initially conceived as a place for military displays and children's sports, the park's design was significantly altered in 1895 by the Olmsted firm. The redesign replaced the original parade grounds with a series of water features, including a large circular wading pool measuring over 500 feet in diameter, which could also be used for ice skating in winter.

Today, the park continues to serve as a central gathering place for the community. It contains several significant structures, including a brick Shelter House built in 1904, the Buffalo Museum of Science building from 1929, and a greenhouse constructed in 1907. The park also features the Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Plaza, dedicated in 1983, which includes a bronze bust of Dr. King.

In recent years, efforts have been made to renovate and improve the park's facilities. The large wading pool has been converted into a splash pad, providing a modern water feature for visitors during summer months. The park hosts various community events throughout the year, including the annual Juneteenth Festival, which relocated to the park in the early 1980s due to its growing popularity.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park remains an important part of Buffalo's Olmsted park system and continues to reflect the evolving needs and interests of the surrounding community while preserving elements of its historic design.