South Buffalo's Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes, probably the largest source of unfrozen fresh water in the world. Lake Erie is reputed to have the best fishing (bass, yellow pike, perch, etc.) in the country and offers unlimited recreational boating for the people of the area. Within the heart of South Buffalo are two outstandingly beautiful Olmsted Parks; "Cazenovia" and "South Park Lake". They are connected by the grand Olmsted designed Mckinley Parkway and Circles. Both the parks have their own golf courses.

South Buffalo has an olympic size indoor swimming pool and ice rink located in Cazenovia Park along Abbott Road. Across the street the "state of the art" Mercy Hospital complex serves South Buffalo and the surrounding communities with outstanding health care. Also located on Abbott Rd. is the Irish Center (Irish dancing, music, festivities, good beer, etc.). It is the cultural center for the Irish of Western NY.

Grand old churches of many denominations are sprinkled throughout South Buffalo. For Catholic education - three parishes just combined to open "The Notre Dame Academy" grammar school for about 400 students.

Mount Mercy Academy and Trocaire College are right next to Mercy Hospital. There is also a Charter School on South Park Avenue. South Park High School offers first class public secondary education for its students. Within a short drive there are many other major colleges, universities and other schools offering the finest higher education. The board of education has just invested about a million dollars renovating "The Discovery School" on Abbott Road bringing first class education to the area.

About 1 1/2 miles south on Abbott Road is the home of the "future NFL world champions" (I don't know when but someday it will happen) Buffalo Bills at "Ralph Wilson Stadium" in Orchard Park. The Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bisons Stadiums within the city, are only a few minutes drive from South Buffalo. These stadiums also feature many rock bands and other first class attractions throughout the year.

Location, location, location - South Buffalo is close to everything! it is a major gateway to Canada. A short 15 minute drive, across the Peace Bridge, takes you into Canada with all its attractions, (beaches, parks, old Fort Erie, thorougbred horse racing, gambling, etc.) A beautiful 28 mile parkway winds along the Niagara River right up to the world renown "Niagara Falls", and then on to "Niagara On The Lake". (billed as the prettiest town in North America and oldest golf course). You can also travel up the American side of the fast flowing Niagara River to the majestic Niagara Falls and another major Olmsted Park right at the falls.

More then 35 golf courses and country clubs are located throughout the area within a short drive. There are also many bike paths located around the area with more being built every year.

South Buffalo is centrally located to all the major cities of the northeast and Canada. A short drive to - Rochester 1 hour, Toronto 1 1/2 hours, Cleveland 2 hours, Chicago 9 hours, NY City 8 hours, Ottawa, Montreal. Further up the Saint Lawrence Seaway is French speaking - quaint "Old Quebec City", a delightful place to visit and filled with people of goodwill.

Also located within a short drive is Alleghany State Park, Letchworth State Park, the Adirondack Mountains State Park along with many other state and county parks and beaches. The Autum foilage is outstanding in these forest areas. The winter season offers great winter sports; skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, tobogganing, etc. A short drive south takes you to Kissing Bridge, and Holiday Valley, for great skiing.

A best kept secret, the housing in South Buffalo is extremely affordable compared to other cities. Young people can afford to buy houses here without having the mortgages eat up their entire income and its a great place to raise a family, with its multitude of schools, parks, play grounds and sidewalks (the kids can walk everywhere). Also good paying jobs are beginning to become available as financial companies and others discover the merits of this beautiful area. (Citi Group, Geico Insurance, Roswell and other research hospitals, etc.) Also since the smoke belching steel mills, etc. closed, the air coming off the Great Lakes now is exceptionally clean.

A short drive, within the city, takes you to; Delaware Park with its beautiful lake, Kleinhans Music Hall (Buffalo's Philharmonic Orchestra), Albright Knox Art Gallery, the brand new Burchfield Art Center, the "Pan American" History Museum, the Science Museum, Shea's Performing Arts theatre as well as many other theatres and attractions.

by Donald Hamilton, lifelong resident of South Buffalo, retired Buffalo firefighter and author of the book, "The Mind of Mankind: Human Imagination, the source of Mankind's tremendous power".