Bird Island Pier

The Bird Island Pier dates from 1822, when it was built as a buffer between the Erie Canal and the rough waters of the Niagara River, and was once a lively place of fishing shacks, canal boats, and pleasure steamers bound for Canada and Grand Island. Though those are long-gone, the pier recently completed an extensive renovation and structural stabilization and, for the first time in three years, is now completely reopened as a scenic pedestrian walkway. Proceeding southward from '''Broderick Park''' past the '''Peace Bridge''' and onward to a point parallel to '''LaSalle Park''' — 1.3 miles (2 km) in all — walkers can experience an unparalleled view of the Niagara River and Fort Erie to their right, then turn their head and watch rowing crews from Canisius, St. Joe's, and other area high schools set off along the canal from the '''West Side Rowing Club'''. At the end, you're treated to a waterfront panorama that is simply without equal, with the '''Erie Basin Marina''' in the foreground and the downtown skyline and grain elevators off in the distance.