10:30 AM |
Spring Ephemeral Saunter |
The forest floor community is a strong indicator of forest health. Many forest floor species including the spring ephemerals are extremely sensitive to change, such as increased sunlight, foot traffic, deer browse, and invasive species. In forests where these have been lost, it can take generations for them to recolonize, even from nearby populations. Let's take a walk through Emery Park to admire the beauty of a healthy forest community and welcome spring.
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Joshua Konovitz, Forester |
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1 PM |
Longshed Tour |
UE Field Trip: Visit the Longshed The Erie Canal opened 200 years ago this fall! The 363 mile long canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Canal made Buffalo the Queen City of the Lakes as grain flowed east and immigrants moved west along the canalway. Join Erie County Historian Doug Kohler for a tour of the new hands-on canal experience in the Longshed at Canalside.
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Douglas Kohler |
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9:30 AM |
Senior Hiking Club - Hunter's Creek Park |
Join Club 99, Environmental Specialist Wendy and a Park Ranger on a dual hike where you can pick either the moderate or the high-level difficulty! Wendy will lead the moderate group on a shortened version of an intense hike led by the park ranger. You can decide as you hike
to either turn around with Wendy or continue on with the ranger. (*For your safety, please see online for duration, difficulty, distance, elevation, equipment and cancellation policy*)
Meeting Location: Memorial Park/Hunters Creek - Parking Lot
Wednesday, May 13 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM if necessary
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Parks |
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10:30 AM |
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Landscape |
There is much more to planting a tree than just digging a hole and setting it in. If it were that easy, then trees wouldn't need to produce thousands of seeds every year. Let's visit Elma Meadows Park and the magnificent trees there to discuss tree health and explore methods and techniques of tree care. We can then get hands-on and dig in and plant trees in the Park
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Joshua Konovitz, Forester |
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10 AM-2PM |
Erie County Park's History Tour of the Schenck House |
Erie County Parks History Tour of The Schenck House - June 3rd, 2026 (10:00am-2:00pm)
The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry is excited to announce the opening of the newly rehabilitated Schenck House. Be one of the first to see the new Erie County Parks history museum, housed in one of the oldest extant stone structures in the City of Buffalo, built in 1822. An Erie County Park Ranger and staff will be on hand to provide information about the historic site and the $2 million restoration project.
This open house style event will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd, 10:00am-2:00pm. The Schenck House is located on the grounds of Grover Cleveland Golf Course, 3781 Main Street. No food or drink allowed inside the house.
This one-day event is open exclusively to University Express users with no registration required. (The Schenck House, located on the Grover Cleveland Golf Course in Buffalo, NY, is recognized as the city's oldest existing stone house, dating back to the 1820s or 1830s. Following a $2 million restoration by Erie County, this historic structure has been transformed into a museum showcasing the area's history.)
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Joshua Konovitz, Forester |
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10 AM |
Battleship Tour & Talk about Dry Docking the Sullivan |
Shane will speak on Dry Docking the USS The Sullivans balltleship topic in an enclosed meeting area prior to the tour of the battleships. What does it mean to dry dock USS The Sullivans and USS Croaker? With two of our three vessels preparing to leave the Buffalo River in 2026 for a ship's maintenance period in Erie, PA, Shane will discuss what it means to dry dock a ship, and the kind of work that will be completed. He'll share insights into how this work will help preserve The Sullivans and Croaker for future generations. This presentation will be followed by a abriged tour of the ships still in the harbor.
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Shane Stephenson |
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10 AM |
Bell Aircraft's Rosie the Riveter |
University Express invites you to explore Western New York's rich aviation and space heritage with a field trip to the Niagara Aerospace Museum, located next to the terminal at the Niagara Falls Airport. The museum, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, highlights the region's important contributions to flight and space exploration, from the rocket engine that lifted all twelve Apollo astronauts off to the moon to the Bell X-1 aircraft that Chuck Yeager piloted to break the sound barrier. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with exhibits that bring this remarkable history to life and to deepen their understanding of the local innovations that helped shape modern aerospace technology. (Thank you to our famous tour guide, David Faix, MS. Ed., education coordinator for the museum for arranging this UE experience!)
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David Faix |
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1 PM |
Williamsville North Planetarium: Living With Our Star - The Sun |
Williamsville Planetarium Director Mark Percy will explore the inner workings of our star and the many ways it affects us here on Earth. We will learn about the source of the Sun's immense power, solar cycles, sunspots, auroras and much more. It is the source of energy for almost all life on Earth, but only recently have we begun to understand how it could shine for billions of years. Join us to dive into the Sun and its many mysteries!
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Mark Percy |
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9:30 AM |
Senior Hiking Club - Como Lake |
Join us as we partner with Club 99 for their Senior Hiking Club! The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on a leisurely walk
through the park to the lighthouse! We will cross over three bridges over Cayuga Creek as we walk and look for birds, butterflies, and turtles. This park is a great place to be on a hot summer day. (*For your safety, please see online for duration, difficulty, distance, elevation, equipment and cancellation policy*)
Meeting Location: Como Lake Park at the Casino Parking Lot
Wednesday, June 24 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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Parks |
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10 AM |
Explore Buffalo - Architectural Timeline of Buffalo |
This downtown walking tour is a chronological walk through architectural time from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. We'll see excellent examples of all the major architectural styles prevalent in commercial and government office construction during this period, from Beaux Arts to Art Deco to Modern. This tour focuses in particular on the evolution of the tall office building that was enabled by modern technology such as steel frame construction. Some of the buildings featured on this tour include the Guaranty Building, City Hall, One M&T Plaza, and Seneca One. This tour is approximately ninety minutes in length and about 1.5 miles of walking with a portion of slightly uphill walking from Niagara Square to Main Street.This is an exterior-only tour. This tour meets at the northeast corner of Pearl & Seneca Streets in downtown Buffalo, across from Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. Use 75 Pearl Street, Buffalo NY 14202 for GPS. Metered parking is available on surrounding streets. Please note that nearby parking lots require payment at all times. The Seneca Station of the Metro Rail is one block away on Main Street.
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Suzanne Ernst/Ed Howard is the Docent |
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9:30 AM |
Senior Hiking Club - Sprague Brook Park |
Join us as we partner with Club 99 for their Senior Hiking Club! The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on a summer hike of the cross-country ski trail! On this hike we will explore the forests at the park and also the adjacent forestry lot. This park is a great place to be on a hot summer day. Dogs are welcome on a leash. (*For your safety, please see online for duration, difficulty, distance, elevation, equipment and cancellation policy*)
Meeting Location: Sprague Brook Park - at the Cross Country
Ski Trail Parking Lot
Wednesday, August 5 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Parks |
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1 PM - 4 PM |
Trivia In the Park - Northtowns |
Grab your thinking cap and a few friends-it's time for Trivia in the Park! University Express is taking the fun outdoors with a friendly trivia challenge featuring questions about everything from Buffalo history and pop culture to movies, music, and random surprises. Don't
worry if you're not a trivia whiz-this event is all about laughs, teamwork, and a little friendly competition! Don't miss this chance to show off your smarts and soak up the sunshine with University Express. We'll see you in the park!
(You are welcome to join us for one, or both trivia events! Registration for each event is limited to 100 guests, due to space limits.). Northtowns Trivia: (Ellicott Creek Park Casino, Ellicott Creek Park
Thursday, August 6 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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University Express |
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7:00 PM |
Shakespeare in the Park |
Fools and Foes: Get ready for mischief, mayhem, and magic with Shakespeare in Delaware Park's touring production, Fools and Foes. This fast-paced, one-hour show features Shakespeare's most unforgettable clowns and villains - from laugh out loud fools to deliciously wicked foes - in a playful, action-packed performance perfect for all ages.
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Gretchen Didio |
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10:15 AM |
Discover Burchfield with University Express! |
UE is going on location to celebrate & explore the work of an American master. Join us for a docent-led tour at The Burchfield Penney Art Center, home to the largest public collection of works by Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), as well as an archive of more than 10,000 pages of handwritten journals, 25,000 drawings, and other ephemera-including a scale re-creation of the artist's studio. Join us to experience the genius of one of America's most original artists! Thanks to the Birchfield team for offering this wonderful opportunity!
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Mary Kozub, Director of Education |
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1 PM - 4 PM |
Trivia in the Park - Southtowns |
Grab your thinking cap and a few friends-it's time for Trivia in the Park! University Express is taking the fun outdoors with a friendly trivia challenge featuring questions about everything from Buffalo history and pop culture to movies, music, and random surprises. Don't
worry if you're not a trivia whiz-this event is all about laughs, teamwork, and a little friendly competition! Don't miss this chance to show off your smarts and soak up the sunshine with University Express. We'll see you in the park!
(You are welcome to join us for one, or both trivia events! Registration for each event is limited to 100 guests, due to space limits.)
Southtowns Trivia: (James Depczynski Casino, Como Lake Park)
Thursday, September 17 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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University Express |
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