Tifft Preserve Accessibility Trail

Tifft Nature Preserve, a 264-acre site in Buffalo, New York, offers environmental education and conservation across diverse landscapes, including wetlands and woodlands along the Lake Erie shoreline. Established in 1972 on a former landfill, the preserve features five miles of trails, boardwalks, and an education center. However, many trails do not meet ADA guidelines.

In 2019, the preserve initiated a project to design an ADA-compliant trail connecting the Education Center to the Heritage Boardwalk, a premier wetland viewing area. The existing narrow boardwalk will be replaced with an 8-foot-wide steel-framed modular walkway supported by helical piles to protect the wetland. The new trail will include a paved loop, wheelchair-accessible rest areas, and improved natural views, offering a sensory experience through various micro-environments. Additional improvements include wayfinding, a kiosk, ADA parking, and stormwater rain gardens. Zakery Steele served as project manager.