The Beat

Industry Veteran Mark Kane Assumes Role as Park Opens for the 2021 Season

Darien Center, N.Y. (April 30, 2021) — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, today announced that Mark Kane has been named park president of the company’s Buffalo, New York-based, Six Flags Darien Lake. Kane succeeds Chris Thorpe who was promoted to a new role of regional vice president after more than 10 years at the helm. Kane most recently served as a park president in the company’s International Development Division.

Race to Operate at 50% Capacity with Health and Safety Guidelines in Place for Participants and Limited Spectators 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Buffalo Marathon will return this year on June 26 and 27 for its twentieth anniversary. The race will operate at roughly 50 percent of its typical capacity with additional health and safety protocols for participants, event staff, and volunteers. The Governor also announced that, using the Buffalo Marathon model, the State's sports and recreation guidance will be updated with health protocols for running races to help localities plan and permit these events. …

New Gateway to The Niagara River Corridor Will Serve As A Starting Point For Adventure 

Public-Private Partnership to Be Supported By $8 Million Grant from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation 

View Renderings Here 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the design for a new, $46 million state-of-the-art visitor center in Niagara Falls State Park. The new facility will be a gateway to adventure along the Niagara River Corridor, greatly improving the visitor experience, complementing nature, increasing the length of visits within the park in all four seasons, and enhancing awareness of nearby recreational and cultural offerings. The Governor also announced that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has committed $8 million in grant funding toward the construction of the Welcome Center.  The Welcome Center is a signature project of Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 100 initiative announced in this year's State of the State proposals.

New Carousel Building Adds to Overall Vision for a Redeveloped Waterfront 

See Photos of the Carousel Here 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Buffalo Heritage Carousel project at Canalside is nearing completion. A steel frame, the organ and the carousel itself are being installed inside the new timber frame building at Canalside. When complete, the historic De Angelis Carousel will be a year-round, family friendly attraction for the Buffalo waterfront, building on the popularity of the Explore & More Children's Museum and many other activities for visitors of all ages. The carousel is planned to open this summer. …

Buffalo, NY - Fairies will fill the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens during a new celebration of all things winged at Find Your Wings Week at the Botanical Gardens. Celebrate during the day for the Spring Flower Exhibit or in the evening for Gardens After Dark: Fantastic Fairies April 14 through 18. To expand on the fairy fun, the annual Fairy Festival is also planned for April 17 through 18 during the day. …

Buffalo, NY - Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House is pleased to announce plans to reopen for public tours on Thursday, April 1. The Martin House will offer self-guided tours Thursday through Sunday from 12 – 4pm, with more tour offerings planned later in the month.

“We are excited to welcome visitors once again to the interior spaces of the Martin House,” said Executive Director Mary Roberts. “The same health protocols are in place that we followed during 2020 which provided a safe experience for our guests, staff, and volunteers.”…

Curbside Pickup in May! 

Buffalo, NY - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is holding their annual Great Plant Sale Online for the second year in a row.  Since December 2020, different categories of plants have been released to the public on the fifteenth of the month with early access to members on the fourteenth.  March 15 will be the last release and all orders are due by April 15.  Orders placed online will be available for pick up at the Botanical Gardens in early May just in time for the start of gardening season.

Buffalo, NY - Spring cannot seem to come soon enough this year and the Botanical Gardens will be bursting with color this spring during Western New York’s favorite spring tradition, the Spring Flower Exhibit.  From March 20 through April 18 over 22,000 bulbs will be on display as well as fragrant shrubs and flowers of various kinds. To complement the Spring Exhibit a special Wegmans Family Day - Flower Fest is planned for March 21 and a new and memorable experience, Gardens After Dark: Spring Flowers will be held on select evenings March 26 through April 11. …

Advances Goals of 2021 State of the State

One-mile loop will feature eight sensory stations offering a range of experiences from quiet engagement to active exploration and adventure

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced today that construction has started on a first-of-its kind nature trail at Letchworth State Park designed for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. The Autism Nature Trail is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s 2021 State of the State agenda to reimagine, rebuild and renew New York State, including enhancing New York State Parks.

The Park is Filling Over 1,500 Positions and Preparing for the Upcoming Season

Darien Center, N.Y. — February 19, 2021 — Six Flags Darien Lake, the Thrill Capital of New York, is reopening on May 21, 2021 based on the guidelines set by the State of New York and its Governor. The park will unveil extensive safety and security measures including quick and contactless security and temperature checks for guests and team members. Convenient mobile ordering will also be available at many locations. The park is converting to a cash to a card kiosk system, accepting only Mobile and Card Payments to further enhance the safety of guests and team members.