Broderick Park is a park situated within the boundaries of Buffalo, New York.
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The Park, following an elongated shape, is located on Squaw Island, (Buffalo), in the Niagara River, and overlooks the Canadian border.
Broderick Park is situated within easy view of the Peace Bridge, which links the State of New York with the Canadian Province of Ontario at Fort Erie.
The Park's official address is: 1170 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14213 [1].
Broderick Park offers recreational facilities for local residents and visitors. Under the Buffalo Micro Parks system within the City of Buffalo, New York, contribution is made toward the maintenance and improvement of amenities [2].
Given the Park's proximity to Canada, it is historically important in that it served as a transit area for African-Americans heading for the border [3], on the opposite side of the Niagara River from the park. These activities were particularly precipitated by the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, which to some measure brought about the 'nationalizing' of some of the consequences of the slavery practiced in the Southern states, and hence the increased flow of African-Americans travelers seeking liberty in Canada. Ironically it was Buffalo's own Millard Fillmore who, as President of the United States, signed this measure into law. (See also: Millard Filmore#Policies .)
After the American Civil War period and the Emancipation Proclamation, the Park ceased to have the same clandestine focus for traveling African-Americans.
Reenactments and commemorations of Railroad events have been regularly held at Broderick Park under the sponsorship of Buffalo Quarters Historical Society [4].
In contemporary times, Broderick Park — visibly close to the Peace Bridge — has sometimes been used as a backdrop to public meetings on subjects of law and administrative reform as they may relate to cross-border issues [5].
Recent proposals have also been made that, for funding reasons, Broderick Park be transferred from the City of Buffalo, New York to the administration of the State of New York, as part of a future State Park [6].