Where Else but Black Rock....

can you get home from work, take the dog for a swim, run three miles with her, then take her for another swim -- all before dinner?

Not a lot of cities can offer a perk like this.

Those Green Recycling Totes and Squaw Island

The Dayton House is now using the big green recycling tote distributed by the City.  Prior to that, the blue bin was regularly overflowing with recyclables.  Recycling has become an important part of life in Buffalo and its evolution is linked to Squaw Island – thus giving it a tie in to Black Rock and the Dayton House.

It’s probably been almost a decade since the old incinerator was taken down.  That polluting monstrosity was located on Squaw Island, an abandoned eye-sore.  The island has always had a hill used by neighborhood kids for sledding.  Back in the days of the incinerator, it was not a cheery Currier and Ives sort of past time either.  The island was a dumping ground and not worth spending much time on.

Things have changed and we have, among other things, the city’s recycling program to thank for it.  Recycling has cut down on the amount of waste the city must dispose of.  Activists and scientists have succeeded in convincing civic leaders that burning trash is a costly method of trash disposal – both fiscally and environmentally.  That the incinerator on Squaw Island had to come down was evident to all.  The positive result of its removal and the improvements made to the island is indisputable.

I only hiked over to the island with my dog once in the pre-park days.  The experience left me disgusted.  My dog wanted to swim in the pond, but there was garbage, clumps of weeds and other murky stuff in it.  We returned home disgusted. I was afraid she might have picked up a leach or tics, or who knows what other sort of parasite lurking in the muck.

Now the pond is cleaned up.  The area is clear and grassy.  The ballasted area at the end of the island is a haven for birds – and can make a decent swimming spot for a dog (though truthfully, I feel the constantly flowing river is safer because it can’t gather parasites).  The paths along the park are great for walking, running, riding and just relaxing.

The first year the incinerator was down, we had an influx of bats and rodents.  The new trash bins and having a dog in residence helped with that a lot.  Back in those days, our house was one of the few who religiously filled their blue totes to overflowing.  Now it’s just the way things are done.  Recycling initiatives have led to the beautification of Squaw Island, though not very many people realize this.  Were it not for alternative ways to process trash, it may very likely have been necessary to keep that horrid dump open.

Black Rock Sunset

Rushed home tonight in hopes of catching the sunset at the river.  We just made it!  The sun was dipping below the horizon at 5:53PM.  It was cold and windy but it was also a great opportunity for me to get the dog out for a serious 20 minute round of fetch.  In the winter, we jog around Delaware Park but if I can get in any amount of daylight, then it's the neighborhood for us; Tow Path Park at the foot of Hertel for our first choice.

This is a great way to end the day!  And a tired dog will always be happy  -- doubly so her people.  Black Rock might need to be renamed "Bark Rock" from her perspective...

Eat Local -- Emily's

There is a side bar to this blog if you scroll down a bit listing some great places to eat in Black Rock.  Here's a picture of tonight's fish fry from Emily's.  The restaurant is up on Hertel and Tonawanda.  It's one of our favorite local spots.  A nice couple owns it and they make all of the food on the premises.  You'll always run into someone you know there -- or someone who knows someone you know!

One thing that might not immediately stand out is the tartar sauce.  It's not served in a plastic container sealed in foil.  It's because they really do make everything they serve.  Nothing is food service.  It's all prepared fresh.  This makes everything you order extra delicious.  If you drive by at any time and don't see a lot of patrons, it doesn't mean they aren't busy.  They are cooking and baking all of the time.

A fish fry is $8.99.  We had New England clam chowder as our started and then a side of fries.  Dinner for two with pop came to $24.00 (that includes tax) -- making the place affordable on top of it all.  It makes sense to eat local and support local businesses -- but if you don't live in Black Rock, come down here and try the place.   You won't be sorry!

Squaw Island – The Black Rock Channel

Squaw Island is an important component of Black Rock.  Historically and environmentally, its impact cannot be underestimated.  In posting about it, I’m including Rich’s Marina and boat yard along with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Black Rock channel.  These are integrated components that figure very much into life and history in the neighborhood.  The marina is a great place to walk and the Army Corps basically controls the river.

Squaw Island actually contains two park areas; one on the North end which is noted on this map along with Broderick Park, which is on the Southern end and falls outside of Black Rock.  I have already posted about the International Railroad Bridge so there’s no reason to revisit that – but its worth to note it on the map because it is there. 

When I posted about gulling and the Atlantic Flyway as it cuts through the neighborhood, I mention the jetty where the birds congregate.  There is a jetty on the South end of the Island which is known as the Bird Island pier – this should not be confused with the small jetty up in Black Rock.  “In the old days” the section of the city that contains what remains today of the Bird Island pier was considered “Upper Black Rock” but today it’s more or less part of the “West Side.”  The Dayton House is located North of the creek, which was considered “Lower Black Rock.” Head on over to Delish or the Black Rock Kitchen and Bar on Amherst St. and you'll be in what was considered "Downtown Black Rock."

The Black Rock Channel was an integral part of the old Erie Canal system and thus very important to the development of the village.  While the Erie Canal is now defunct as a shipping lane, the lock in Black Rock is still in use.  It is operated by the Army Corps.   The water level is raised and lowered for ships and the International Bridge span over the creek is turned for that purpose as well.

There will be mornings where you will hear a ship/tankers fog horn in the early morning hours.  If you drive on the 190 on your way to work, you’ll most likely see the tanker that is soon to be or may have just passed through the lock.  The big question might be where they are going to or from.  After all, the canal system is shut down.  And the only other path up North passes through Niagara Falls! 

Actually, most tankers that pass through are either destined for the fuel storage tank lines near the Grand Island Bridge or else they are delivering coal to the Huntley Power Station.  Sometimes you will see a garbage barge as well. It is very interesting to see the water level in the lock raise and lower in order to facilitate navigation.

Recreational boaters use the channel too.  There are specific hours of operation and a seasonal schedule that must be adhered to.  The channel is also a popular route for kayakers.  It is protected from the stronger current of the river and there are great opportunities to observe nature.  In the winter, ice fishing is a popular (if not perplexing) past time too.

One unfortunate aspect of the channel is that it receives run-off from the creek.  The creek is highly polluted.  For that reason, it is not advisable to swim in the channel.  While it is fun to take the dog for a swim in the river, this is one area we avoid.  After last year’s big fire on Chandler Street, the EPA put up warning signs about swimming.  Riverkeeper and local neighborhood groups are doing a lot to clean up the creek and take care of the area.  The conditions improve from year to year. 

The importance of the channel from an historic standpoint can’t be ignored, but even more importantly, the recreational aspects of it and it’s close proximity to the Dayton House plays a part in the quality of life for those who live there.



Atlantic Flyway

Buffalo gets a bad rap environmentally.  We are maligned for our snow and our industry among other things.  But one thing most people don’t know about; is that the region is an important part of the migratory path for birds known as The Atlantic Flyway. Birds heading north to Canada pass through territory encompassing Buffalo and out as far as Rochester.  The Niagara River is an important route on this path.

The Dayton House is located in the flyway and is just a short walk away from a spot that many gull watchers consider a hot spot for “Gulling.”  That is watching for Gulls, Terns and other migratory birds. 

In November, you can walk down to Rich marina and hear a cacophony of calls.  It is loud!  The Northern tip of Squaw Island is so full of birds that it almost looks like a coating of snow.  It is like that for about a month or so, then the flocks move on.

When you sit in the side yard sipping cocktails on a summer night, you can always see and hear gulls flying overhead.  As a person who grew up on an island, it’s a very comforting sound.  Once fall hits, the sound of geese starts in too.  A very nice aspect of the Dayton House and its location is that although we are in the city proper, many elements of nature are still close at hand.  Squaw Island and the Atlantic Flyway is one excellent example of this.

And it’s also pretty cool to watch bats circling the St. Francis bell tower!

Black Rock Ingredients for New Year's Eve....

Lobster Ravioli from Gondola Pasta.  Big Chocolate Brownies from Carriage Trade Pastries.

In 2012, please support your local Black Rock merchants!!!

Black Rock is Artsy!

Allentown isn't the only neighborhood that has an art scene.  Black Rock is a promising new component to the creative culture that hasn't gotten widespread notice but is catching the attention of those who like to gather and gallery gaze.  Gallery 464 is located at 464 Amherst St.  It keeps neihgborhood company with Artsphere.  While it may seem like an odd situation, Artsphere is located at the front end of Salon Daneen (where I get my hair cut once or twice a year whether I need it or not!).  Daneen's mother is the artist and she creates wonderful renderings of local buildings in pastel, color pencil, water-colors, etc.  In both galleries there are interesting rotations of artists.

Street events occur in the warmer months as a result of activities centered around this small art community.  What is great about this area is that is hasn't gotten so much notice that there are parking issues (or pay stations!), so it makes it a nice place to spend some time -- a cup of coffee from Delish and a trip into a gallery or two to look at prints, jewelry, pottery, etc.

More gallery and art-outlets are sure to appear on this stretch on paved potential.  Between the new restaurants, music oriented store-fronts and specialty stores, there is quite a lot going on in this section of town.  Come by for a visit!

Black Rock is Sweet!

We've been getting pastries at Carriage Trade on Elmwood for years.  It's located on the West side of Elwood between Grote and Marion St.  The best cakes in the city come from this bakery.

Delish has moved from Elmwood to Grant St.  The store is just West of Grant.  This is a big boon for the neighborhood as it's a great place to stop for coffee and an out-of-this-world brownie.  Delish also offers cooking classes.

Wegmans has a respectable bakery but with these two Black Rock gems, it pays to go  local.

Sweet!!!

Black Rock Rocks!

Buffalo's best honky-tonk. It is the real deal!

Located on Amherst St, just west of Grant.  It's been recently expanded and attracts national talent.  The only downside is that the place is not air conditioned!

You can also take music lessons on Amherst Street!  This is the Arts Enrichment Center.  Many of the Amherst St. galleries and eateries feature live music too.

Black Rock Rocks!!!

Down By The River

This picture was taken about a half an hour ago.  It's a pretty typical scene for us in the evening.  While the Dayton House  can't boast actual river frontage, it is two blocks away.

There are a number of great spots on the river and we use them all.  The picture above is a five  minute car ride from the house.  It's Aqua Lane.  It's one of the spots we like to take the dog for open field running.  Walking distance from the house, a good open spot for frolic is either Tow Path Park, which is three long blocks away heading North on the bike path, or Squaw Island which is accessible by the International Railroad Bridge that is two blocks from the house.

If running is your thing, the bike path is a great route.  From the house to the pedestrian bridge (which is just about at the city line) and back is just about 3.5 miles -- great training for a 5K.  Running to the River Grill and back is just over four miles.  If it's a hot day, you can run a little further up to Aqua Lane and grab a drink in the restroom up there.  That will put you just a little under 5.  The Grand Island bridge is a 4 mile run.  Having someone drop you off at the bridge and then running home is a very pleasant route.  Another good one-way route if you have a ride home is up to the gazebo in Isleview Park.  In the summer, that's where you'll hit a water fountain and a big sprayer too.  There is a water fountain at the water treatment plant on River Rd. which helps if you are doing the bridge or Isleview run.

If biking is your thing, it is ten miles up to the North end of the trail.   It is also a very nice ride to take the path south down to the inner harbor.  That route takes you over squaw Island and you can take any number of routes once you get back to the city proper.

There is also now a bike path that hooks the riverwalk to the path over to Delaware Park.

There are many great biking and running routes that mean you don't have to worry about city traffic.  That's just a nice perk to being down by the river!

Black Rock Cooks!

The Nickel City Chef competitions is one hot ticket.  It's the Buffalo version of Iron Chef and it takes place in Black Rock.

Artisan Kitchen and Bath is located on Amherst St, just three blocks from the Dayton House.  It's on the East side of the railroad bridge and has one heck of a set up to show the cooks at work.  The event will be taped for public broadcast and a book will follow.  Yes, Buffalo's Kitchen Stadium is in Black Rock!

Some of the best fresh-made sausage to be found is on Amherst St. as well.  A fresh pig comes in every Tuesday and is processed into sausage, bacon, sandwich meat and other piggish delights!  The Dayton House shops at Spars and you should too!

Gondola Macaroni Company is two blocks away and produces the fresh pasta served in  Buffalo's finest restaurants -- and also at the Dayton House.  If you can't get to Niagara and Hamiliton, you can find Gondola for sale at Guercio's on Grant St. and also at Decamilla's bakery in Amherst -- sorry if I spelled that wrong, we never have to go there... we have fine bakeries and fresh pasta here.

Sun Asian Market is also on Niagara and Hamilton.  It is on the opposite corner of Hamilton from Gondola.  This is genuine Asian fare and sells the supplies and ingredients any serious cook would want to have cheap and easy access to.  This is one of Buffalo's best kept secrets, but it probably won't stay a secret for long.

Black Rock boasts some impressive cooking credentials these days.  It's a place for people who  like to eat and who like to cook.  What it lacks, is pretension and snobbery.

How Safe is Black Rock?

This is a current crime map for the City of Buffalo.  It's from www.crimereports.com.  The neighborhood where the Dayton House is located falls within the area circled.  We are often derided for the "safety" of where we live when in reality, this is the quietest city neighborhood we've ever resided in.  Yes, sometimes a noisy tenant moves on to the street and causes a temporary disruption -- but the block where the house sits is largely owner occupied.  It has never been burglarized.

Other more "in demand" sections of the city boast "better" neighborhoods -- but they aren't necessarily safer.  The crime map above shows a low density of crimes for the Dearborn St. section of the city.

From the Home Finder website.

This is no anomaly and the website capture didn't occur on a slow crime day.  This is just the way it normally is.

Black Rock Eats... Well!!!!

This is Nick's -- the best diner in Black Rock.  Don't be taken back by the fire damage on the second floor, it's being repaired.  There was a big street initiative to get the restaurant up and running as soon as possible after the fire and they are back in business.  You'll get affordable diner fare for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.  Another restaurant in the same family is Sophia's up on Military Rd, featured on Diner, Dives and Drive-ins.  You'll find the same staff at both locations and both serve the same wonderful food.

I don't know if anyone in the city hasn't heard about Black Rock Kitchen and Bar -- which has to be the best new restaurant in the city.   The food is great and the beer and scotch/bourbon selection is phenomenal.  It may not be easy to get a table, but if there are just two of you, eat at the bar!

We love the Sun Asian Market for spring rolls -- this combination Asian grocery and take-out spot is around the corner from the Dayton House.  We have been known to pick up quadruple orders of spring rolls (two per order) to bring as appetizers when invited to parties.  This place is on par with 99 Fast Food and super convenient. 

For straight take out Chinese, we love the No. 1. Kitchen on the corner of Grant and Amherst.  Good quality food for not a lot of $$.  And if you're in the mood for Pizza, consider Joes:

This is the side view -- it's in the Tops Plaza and is the best source for NY Style Pizza.  This is "Joe" of "Gino and Joes."  We make a lot of pizza at the Dayton House, but when we order out, we order here.

Fassos Italina restaurant is a nice place to get home-cooked style food -- but we are also just a short distance from Santisieros.  Granted, Santisieros' might be considered West Side, but we're claiming it for Black Rock.

There are plenty more places to try out -- all just five minutes away.  Black Rockers like to eat and we know we've got plenty of small culinary gems in our neighborhood.  Come by and try them out!

The Black Rock Lifestyle

One of the nice things about living in Black Rock, is that you get a lot of house for the money.  The previous pictures of the dining room showed it open with a small table.  Here is how much room there is even with the table expanded for six.  There is another leaf to this table and fully expanded, it still doesn't over-take the room.  It makes quite a nice setting for a big dinner.  Few houses in the city have dining rooms this big and we like to take full advantage of it.

Another great thing about  Black Rock, are the ingredients you can easily obtain for great entertaining.  This gathering took advantage of many local resources.  We are locavores -- not only from a produce perspective, but from a consumer perspective.  We served fresh beer from Flying Bison -- found up on Ontario St.  We served a variety of pizzas on homemade dough -- two of which were made with cappicolla (one sweet and one hot) from Spars European Sausage.  We picked up some cheese from them too along with cheese from Guercios.

Another awesome thing about Buffalo and this section of the city, is that these local high quality ingredients aren't expensive! I can just imagine if we lived, for example, in San Francisco or another high cost city. These ingredients would have cost a pretty penny.  In fact, I bet they'd cost more if we got them from a specialty shop in Amherst or Williamsville.  Having these small businesses locally means we have access to fresh high quality ingredients all within five minutes of the house.

If we hadn't baked a fresh apple pie, we'd have gone across the street from Spars to pick up brownies from Delish.  One of our hardest choices these days is whether we buy our decadent treats from Delish or Carriage Trade!

Black Rock is a *yummy* place to live.

Sibling Rivalry

When you own a unique old house, you sometimes get a little obsessive.  In our case, we always wanted to know if the others like it in the city were still standing.  There was one we watched for years off of lower Niagara near the thruway ramp.  It was sad to see it decay further and further until finally it was demolished.  There are now no other houses like ours in the city.   But that doesn't mean I'm not still  looking out for the other old brick men (I don't consider my house a lady as he is not Victorian).    The last house I am showing at the end of this posting is on Amherst St, not far from Wegmans.  I hope that it's in good condition inside and that there is a way to get it designated if it still is intact.

This first house is no longer intact and it's sad.  This one sits on W. Delavan at the corner on Niagara.  It's been added on to.  It's now part of a used car dealership.  This house was probably built around the same time as the Dayton House got his Italianate update.  The round segmental window arches give that clue.

This is a picture of that structure from the front.  The facade has been completely obliterated.  A preservationists nightmare!

 This is a side view of an old brick building on W. Ferry near Grant.  This house was converted to offices but still appears to be part residential. It is a double too.  This building could not get historic designation on account of the windows.  It is also not as old as the Dayton House.

Here is a front view of this house.  I think the McDonald's sign distracts from it (and people think the decrepit house next to ours is a killer!).



I've picked these buildings as comparisons because they are masonry construction.  That is different than a brick veneer over a wood frame.  Most "brick" houses in the city are not full masonry construction. That is a lost form of building that will never be revived because it is so costly.  However, it makes for a house that is far more durable than a wood/clapboard counter-part.  This is part of the reason the Dayton House has survived for so long.

I am also going to say that I am not a fan of people who look to these houses -- or at houses like the Dayton House with a mind to find "Comparables" from an appraisal standpoint.  As a person who works in the mass appraisal industry, getting the true value of an old home is a tricky proposition and the attention paid to comps as the result of HGTV shows and get-rich-quick self-proclaimed moguls is the enemy of historic preservation.  It doesn't do these homes justice and it certainly won't help them survive into the future.

We are pulling for the house on Amherst -- we are kindred spirits.  Old brick men who don't want to go over to the dark side and become investment or commercial properties.  If anyone knows the people who own the house on Amherst, please speak up!  It's on our radar....

Preservation Conference Activities in Black Rock

Buffalo Religious Arts Center

Thursday, October 20, 2011, 1 pm

Buffalo Religious Arts Center

Tour Time:  1:00 p.m. 
Admission: $10.00
Located in the former St Francis Xavier Church (157 East Street) was established in response to over 70 churches closing inWestern New York.  It is our intention to collect and display art objects from these closed places of worship and at the same time maintain and protect this architecturally significant building.
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This gorgeous building provides a beautiful back-drop to the Dayton House.  When you sit in the back yard, you see the clock tower.  A climb up the tower is excellent exercise -- and the trip back down is a doozy!  There is a crack in the north facing clock and if you look through it, you can see over Grand Island.  Here's a shot taken from the sky lift we rented to paint the eaves and brackets for the front portion of the house.

If you have a chance to visit the museum, stop by to see the house...maybe we'll see you on Friday!

Not the Grand Funk Railroad...

Bridge in early 1900's looking toward Black Rock

… it was the Grand Trunk Railway.  They’re the ones who built the International Railway Bridge that spans the Niagara River in Black Rock.  Connecting Black Rock to Fort Erie, ON, the bridge extends over the I-190 and Squaw Island.  It rotates to provide clearance for larger ships in the Black Rock Canal.  It also provides passage over to Squaw Island with a pedestrian and vehicle lane.

The bridge has been around since 1873, but plans for it began in 1857.   And we all complain because the Peace Bridge expansion is taking so long!

The total length of this bridge is 3,651.5 feet in three distinct sections:

Canadian shoreline across Niagara River to Squaw Island - 1,967.5 feet
the width of Squaw Island - 1,167 feet
across the Black Rock Canal - 517 feet

Its large piers are strong enough to withstand a current of between 7 – 12 knots.  While the dog and I both swim for exercise in the river, we do not swim off of Squaw Island as the current is too strong to be safe.

Traffic on the bridge is not too heavy, anywhere from ten to fifteen trains per day.  The number of cars per train crossing can be long.  The traffic is not loud by any means and generally only audible if you listen for it.  There are more trains running at night it seems.  The crossings are not at street grade, so they don’t inhibit driving either.  Deaborn Street is actually interrupted by the train right of way approximately one block beyond the house.  At the base of the street there is a field that can easily be walked over and which connects to the lower portion of the Dearborn which runs for another block.  Fed Ex has an office and parking on the North side of the tracks.

We walk over to Squaw Island from the base of Dearborn, crossing Niagara at Bridge Street.  There is a parking lot for the Army Corps of Engineer.  It links with the bike path that can either be taken down to connect to the portion of the path heading West or you can bear right and head over the bridge.  Plenty of times we’ve crossed over when there has been a person manning the station that moves the bridge (it is a "swing" bridge and rotates rather than raises and lowers).  We get a friendly wave.  Once you get over to the Island, you need to get off the bridge.  There is always a Border Patrol officer monitoring the bridge and the park and it would likely be impossible to make it all of the way to Canada on foot using the bridge.

This bridge is a nice piece of history and it’s also very useful locally for those of us who want to enjoy the park.

Deutschen in Black Rock

At one time, Black Rock and Riverside had a large German and Polish population.  The title for the Dayton House shows a number of German names.  One of the more prominent names was Esser.  It is uncertain if John Esser lived in the house, but he did own it at one time.  Esser was part of the group of businessmen who owned Riverside and there is a street named after  him.

We can deduce that the owners of the Dayton House in 1969 were German or of German descent.  The name on the title is Ansbak.  More telling, is the July 25th 1969 edition of Der Buffalo Volkesfreund found under the floor boards of the side porch.  This issue shows the first lunar landing.  While the Volksfreund is no longer in publication and few Black Rockers are even aware of it, the influence of German immigrants is still felt in this part of the city.

A wonderful German/Eurpean spot of mine in Black Rock, is Spars European Sausage.  The shop has been selling fine pork products since 1989 and we love the sausage they make.  A whole pig comes in once a week and it is processed into high quality pork products.  Their motto is "Pigs, not just cute but delcious." 

A double treat would be to buy a couple of pounds of their Blizzard Bach Brats and then head up to Ontario Street to pick up a growler of that fine brew at the Flying  Bison Brewery.  One very wonderful thing about Black Rock is that it still has some rather old fashioned opportunities.  Where else can you make a few quick stops and pick up freshly brewed beer and hand crafted sausage -- at a reasonable price too!

Whether or not the current population of Black Rock is German, the influence is still felt.

Around the Neighborhood Today

The neighborhood surrounding the Dayton House was bustling with activities during the hey-days of the Erie Canal.  Ships waiting to reach the terminus in Buffalo would often off-load goods that were grabbed by manufacturers and merchants.

Today there are still many businesses in the blocks surrounding the house.  The area had been in decline, but recent activity is showing a promising resurgence of Black Rock.  In the future, I hope to post about local activities and opportunities in order to show how the house fits into the 21st Century.  The pursuit of Historic designation was not with the goal to return the house to its original state, but rather to help it survive and remain intact in today's city.  That's why there won't be posts showing us tracking down a coal insert for the old fireplace... but why you might see us installing an energy efficient gas one.

As for the neighborhood, this is what's currently around the house:

 

Sun Market - a new Asian market. Foodies in the area know that this is the best source to get ingredients for authentic Asian dishes.

Gondola Macaroni - the best freshly made (by hand) pasta in the city, possibly in the region or state!  Gondola sells from a small store front, but supplies local restaurants and retailers with macaroni that is out of this world.

Squaw Island - Previously undeveloped and the site of an incinerator and sewage treatment plant.  Today it is a beautiful open waterfront park.

Market Square - the anchor of the new historic district.  There's now a nice corner park at Niagara and Amherst that was once a vacant lot.

St Francis Xavier - This gorgeous Romanesque style church was closed by the Diocese but is now a museum holding religious art from various churches around the city that have been closed.  A treasure to be sure!

Rich Marina - A functioning and well sheltered marina only two blocks from the house.  We let the dog run here and it's a great place for her to chase down bunnies.

The Bike Path - This is great recreation path that leads South to the jetty downtown, or North up to the end of Niawanda Park. It cuts Eastward over to Delaware Park.  This path is great for biking and walking.

Amherst St. - A real renaissance is happening here.  The Sportsman Tavern has expanded and is show casing musicians of national renown.  The Black Rock Kitchen and Bar is THE hottest new eatery in the City.  There are a number of new galleries.  We attend many street functions on Amherst and it's convenient to also have the Sausage shop and supermarkets to get groceries from.

Black Rock is still a bustling part of town.  The House is well situated and we are lucky to be surrounded by so much promising activity.