Torn-Down Tuesday: The toboggan run at Delaware Park

By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo

Delaware Park toboggan run, late 20s/early 30s. (Buffalo Stories archives)

Over the last week or so, most Western New Yorkers have turned on the furnace for the first time since opening up the windows to air out the house last spring.

With the heat on, tobogganing can’t be too far behind — but probably not in this spot in Delaware Park.

As the bronze-cast exact replica of Michelangelo’s David looks on, this 1930 image shows dozens of winter sport lovers enjoying a permanent sled track.

Eighty-six or so Buffalo winters later, this hill is still park land, but for the last 60 of those winters the top of the hill is a bit more difficult to get to as the Scajaquada Expressway and its on ramps have cars whizzing by.