First Glimpse of the Beach

First Glimpse of the Beach

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It may not be open yet, but there's a beach down at the Erie Basin Marina. The entranceway (yes there is one) was taped off this afternoon, which prevented anyone from walking down to the water's edge. The closure was Ok though - just looking down upon the sand was enough to get our group excited. No, this isn't a sprawling beach where you can walk for miles... it is a start though. And the potential is there to expand upon Tower Outlook Beach if it becomes a success.

At the edge of the water are two signs warning people the swimming is prohibited. I talked to a security person at the marina who told me that people were very curious about the beach, though he had seen no one walk past the tape yet. The entrance to the beach is not very elaborate, which is good. It looks like an entranceway that you would find along any roadway in California... just a small sandy trail with no pretence. I'm excited to see a few beach chairs and towels set up down there come Memorial Day.

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What Others Have To Say

  1. lizzyb

    0 ratings12345
    May 10th, 18:47

    There was talk about bringing in the sand. Has it happened? Hope the driftwood went to a good place. Like someone who works with driftwood. The boulders could make a great break wall. Newell thanks for keeping us posted. Now is the month for Pride for the Gays and Lezzies. Keep us covered. See you at our parade. Roll 'em.

  2. metrobflo

    0 ratings12345
    May 10th, 19:18

    It is a good start, but 1 part gravel, 1 part dirt, and 1 part sand is not what I would call a quality beach to sit on or put my bare feet in. Please please top this off with some good quility sand. Also the signage saying dangerous currents is over kill, because there is no current within 100 feet of shore Just say no swimming..

  3. tonyarmani

    3 ratings12345
    May 10th, 20:22

    is this a private beach... for 10?

  4. TonyMacaroni

    2 ratings12345
    May 10th, 22:02

    who wants to go sweat on a dirty old beach and not swim. Typical ass backwards buffalo.... A Beach with no swimming. Why dies thus inky happen here? After 35 yrs I still cannot grasp it.

  5. TonyMacaroni

    3 ratings12345
    May 10th, 22:09

    what's next? A golf course with no grass? A ski slope with no snow. Peanut butter with no jelly? Oh Mayor Brown, aka Goldie Wilson where do your ideas come from? Brian Davis, you're more clueless than Goldie Wilson. MAAAAYOR! If anyone knows that reference I'll poop.

  6. MRodgers

    6 ratings12345
    May 10th, 22:22

    What folks here do not take into consideration s that the area is not yet done. That's the problem with these comments - no one takes heart that the initiation of the process is underway - they would rather piss and moan before seeing the final project. I believe it was the intent to show that this is a promise that is being kept and to look for more progress as the days continue.

    To Newell, Brian and Byron, thanks for starting this. Can;t wait to see the finished project.

    @TonyMacaroni - there are plenty of areas for sunbathing without swimming in sities throughout the country. I guess your comment just shows how often you get out from behind your monitor.

  7. STEEL

    3 ratings12345
    May 10th, 23:31

    They would piss and moan if Waikiki beach was built here.

  8. Hoss

    1 ratings12345
    May 10th, 23:53

    I hope it says NO DOGS. All it will take is the piss of three dogs to turn the spot into Erie County's next Superfund. So please, please, please. keep the dogs and their urine away from this spot.

    Yeah it's small, yeah, it's kinda funny and lame (at this stage at least), but maybe it will grow into something bigger. Fingers crossing.

  9. sbrof

    0 ratings12345
    May 11th, 00:04

    It is a great first step. I think some lawn and umbrellas would make this a fantastic place to sunbath. Ever go to a beach Toni.. 90% of the people are just there to sun themselves. I am certainly not one of them. I don't particularly like the sun but love swimming but understand that until we put the effort and money into cleaning up the Buffalo River / sewer overflow problems swimming should be left out of the equation. Maybe this will help focus people and politicians on some of the larger environmental problems in the area.

  10. platt4

    1 ratings12345
    May 11th, 00:11

    Tony Macaroni- Leave your speedo at home. Please.

  11. gaustad

    2 ratings12345
    May 11th, 00:22

    Is this what all the fuss is about?....10 articles and updates on this dinky little patch of sand.

    We need to get some bigger things happening in this city to be excited?

  12. TonyMacaroni

    1 ratings12345
    May 11th, 03:49

    {deleted- filth}

  13. TonyMacaroni

    1 ratings12345
    May 11th, 03:52

    {deleted- off topic}

  14. flyguy

    0 ratings12345
    May 11th, 09:01

    Who keeps this beach clean and safe? A few broken shards of glass and some hypodermic needles in the sand will quickly change perceptions about this place if in fact it turns into something larger.

  15. onestarmartin

    5 ratings12345
    May 11th, 09:12

    poor ToniMacaoni, even where you live now, you are still as unpopular as you were in Buffalo 17 years ago. It shows in your angry comments. And that mouth, you kiss your little momma with it?

  16. RisingDamp666

    0 ratings12345
    May 11th, 09:26

    Anymore, most people avoid the water at beaches so what we want is a broad sandy Strand, and not a narrow patch. But the narrow patch is a start.

  17. Buffalopundit

    3 ratings12345
    May 11th, 11:58

    Looks ok, but here's the real question - what, if anything, would it take to get swimming to be permitted there sometime in the future? I know pollution was one issue, but so was "active shipping lane", if I remember correctly.

  18. MRodgers

    0 ratings12345
    May 11th, 12:25

    @pundit, I think the other issues are the heavy stones underwater and land's edge causing issues that would create unjury as well as the drop point.

    Overall the Erie Basin Marina is a great place, with or without the beach area. However, the addition of the sandy area just provides another place for more people to enjoy. Good job, all.

  19. nightrider

    4 ratings12345
    May 11th, 13:52

    This is very strange, I'm getting the sense that things are actually beginning to get done in Buffalo.

  20. mybuffalo

    0 ratings12345
    May 11th, 15:10

    the wood was takin away for free because of the value of the drift wood i remember reading but not sure where the wood went exactly

  21. TonyMacaroni

    3 ratings12345
    May 11th, 20:08

    {deleted- off topic}

  22. stephenjames716

    0 ratings12345
    May 12th, 10:57

    it's a start, and it is sure better than what was there before.

  23. icecreamsub

    1 ratings12345
    May 12th, 12:41

    this isn't the right location for a beach. the property that was once the Pier restarant should be where a beach / park gets built. this area is too small and akward to accomodate a beach. at least they're trying but this doesn't make sense

  24. MJWorthington

    0 ratings12345
    May 12th, 13:03

    I always wondered why this wasn't a beach while I was growing up. People already go here and sunbathe on the grass near the restuarant.

    Sitting out on the sand watching the sunset out of sight of the sea of asphalt that the rest of the marina is will be a pleasent experience.

    My last few times to the beach around here I wasn't all that excited about diving into that lovely great lake water. But still enjoyed my time there. Large families looking for a larger beach to swim with life guards, play, etc have other options within the county at this time.

  25. RPreskop

    0 ratings12345
    May 12th, 20:47

    Lets give this new beach project a chance before passing judgment on it. The new beach will definately be a major aesthetic improvement over the shitty, ugly driftwood that formerly occupied this waterfront site. Lets give it a chance.

  26. BloCity

    1 ratings12345
    May 12th, 23:17

    I really cant believe how shortsighted everyone on here is about this beach, every nice day from here until October this beach will be full, it looks way too small!!! I really see a lot of young people like myself coming here. There is no other beach as far as i know of north of Evans Angola or whatever. Its a huge hassle to go over the border and drive all the way to Crystal Beach. Take out all the rocks please! A lot of people around here have no place to tan, people in apartments with no backyards. etc etc. Trust me, we love to tan, and we do love Buffalo and our downtown, this will bring young people downtown and not to get drunk! this is a wonderful thing, please expand the beach! ! ! !

  27. give_me_urban

    0 ratings12345
    May 14th, 21:07

    yuppers, expand please.

  28. hamp

    0 ratings12345
    May 14th, 21:08

    I think it's great. We're not looking for the silver bullet folks. Small steps that add the the quality of life here make a difference.

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