Popular among walkers, runners, bikers, and fishermen, Bird Island Pier is a wonderful running path with great views of the Niagara River, Lake Erie, the Peace Bridge (which you’ll run under!), and the Buffalo skyline. Accessible from Broderick Park, the 136 acre long Bird Island Pier is also home to lots of birds and ducks. There are some War of 1812 history markers along the way. Built around 1825, the pier was recently improved and re-paved. Be cautious about running in there in winter, or windy conditions.
A great longer run is to combine with Unity Island Park. From Broderick Park, it’s 2.2 miles south to the end of Bird Island Pier, and 1.4 miles to the end of Unity Park. So it’s about 7.5 miles to run a tour of both. Unity Island Park is not as well maintained as other Buffalo waterfront parks.
You can access the pier through the southern end of Broderick Park. Parking is best at the Ferry Street Bridge, but if it’s not open, parking is readily available at Unity Island Park.
Add-ons: Unity Island Park. It’s 1.4 miles from Broderick Park north to the end of Unity Island. Another add-on is the Riverwalk multi-use path, which goes along the Niagara River for 8.7 miles from Unity Island Park north to Tonawanda.
Popular among walkers, runners, bikers, and fishermen, Bird Island Pier is a wonderful running path with great views of the Niagara River, Lake Erie, the Peace Bridge (which you’ll run under!), and the Buffalo skyline. Accessible from Broderick Park, the 136 acre long Bird Island Pier is also home to lots of birds and ducks. There are some War of 1812 history markers along the way. Built around 1825, the pier was recently improved and re-paved. Be cautious about running in there in winter, or windy conditions.
A great longer run is to combine with Unity Island Park. From Broderick Park, it’s 2.2 miles south to the end of Bird Island Pier, and 1.4 miles to the end of Unity Park. So it’s about 7.5 miles to run a tour of both. Unity Island Park is not as well maintained as other Buffalo waterfront parks.
You can access the pier through the southern end of Broderick Park. Parking is best at the Ferry Street Bridge, but if it’s not open, parking is readily available at Unity Island Park.
Add-ons: Unity Island Park. It’s 1.4 miles from Broderick Park north to the end of Unity Island. Another add-on is the Riverwalk multi-use path, which goes along the Niagara River for 8.7 miles from Unity Island Park north to Tonawanda.
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Essentials
From Broderick Park, Bird Island Pier path is 2.2 miles one-way south, and Unity Island Park is 1.8 miles one-way north. Whole tour is ~7.5 miles
Flat
Broderick Park
Parking at Ferry Street Bridge, Unity Island Park, or Broderick Park
Wonderful running in Olmsted designed park. Nearby parkways also pleasant for running. We've mapped a 10k perimeter route. Also the 1.75 mile "meadow loop" trail is a great way to see the park.
A 4.5 mile 'runseeing' tour of downtown Buffalo, passing several notable historic buildings and sights, such as Fountain Plaza, City Hall, and Lake Erie County Building.
Great waterfront park in Buffalo and part of the riverwalk system. Terrific running path is 1.7 miles one way. Historic Colonel Francis G. Ward Pumping station, harbor views.
Another great spot for waterside running in Buffalo. The highlight is the 1 mile path along the Erie Basin Marina, which has lovely manicured gardens along the water, and views to Buffalo Main Light.
In the northeast part of Buffalo in Tonawanda, there are some terrific running options in the area of Ellicott Creek Park, with 15+ miles of paths incorporating the park, along the Erie Canal, along Ellicott Creek, and around the campus of the University of Buffalo.
No running experience in Buffalo is complete without doing a section of The 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail that runs between Buffalo and Albany! We've mapped three nice sections between Tonawanda and Lockport, totaling ~20 miles, with some short gaps.
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Essentials
From Broderick Park, Bird Island Pier path is 2.2 miles one-way south, and Unity Island Park is 1.8 miles one-way north. Whole tour is ~7.5 miles
Flat
Broderick Park
Parking at Ferry Street Bridge, Unity Island Park, or Broderick Park
A great longer run is to combine with Unity Island Park. From Broderick Park, it’s 2.2 miles south to the end of Bird Island Pier, and 1.4 miles to the end of Unity Park. So it’s about 7.5 miles to run a tour of both. Unity Island Park is not as well maintained as other Buffalo waterfront parks.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!