Martin Luther King Jr. Park Lighting Plan

In Buffalo, New York, a historic park originally called “The Parade” stands as a testament to the city’s Olmsted-designed landscape. Once central to the interconnected Buffalo Olmsted Park system, it was linked to others by tree-lined parkways forming a six-mile arc to the Niagara River. However, in the 1950s, the construction of the Kensington Expressway disrupted this connection, altering its role in the community.

In 1977, reflecting the area’s evolving cultural and demographic significance, the park was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and in 1983, a memorial site was established with an eight-foot bronze statue with an abstract depiction of Dr. King.

Artist John Wilson explained his intentional design choice: “It [was] designed to convey some of what I feel are [Dr. King’s] basic characteristics.…He was a simple, direct man who would not want to be remembered by some ostentatious, grandiose monument. The essence of his ideas, sensitivity, and eloquence seem to be communicated and focused on in his head. I want this colossal head to express an enigmatic image that will evoke a sense of ritual and elemental forces that a very wide audience can respond to.”

The original metal halide floodlights, intended for security, cast a lumen-depreciated green hue over the memorial, diminishing its artistic impact.

Funding was allocated to elevate the park’s character and reflect its significance to the community through lighting. Community involvement was central to the project, with local voices shaping the design to reflect shared pride and values. The new programmable lighting control panel allows for dynamic “scenes” that celebrate the memorial’s significance and integrate with citywide initiatives.

Today, with its enhanced lighting and iconic monument at its heart, Martin Luther King Jr. Park serves as a revitalized gathering space that honors Dr. King’s legacy while inspiring reflection, unity, and celebration.