BUFFALO, N.Y. — For the last few summers, visitors to Delaware Park have gotten used to seeing the bright pink flamingo paddle boats on the water.
This year, they have a new friend, and he stands out.
"This year we introduced Salem the Duck," Buffalo Maritime Center President Emeritus Joe Koessler said. "Some of the old flamingoes needed a little rest, so we sent them back to Florida and we got Salem back in their place. He's been very popular. He's been our most rented boat now. He doesn't spend a lot of time at the dock."
Salem is named after Salem Nyari, a fallen Marine Corps Corporal from North Tonawanda.
He graduated from Western New York Maritime Charter School and was part of the Buffalo Maritime Center's student boat-building program. He also worked as a paddle boat rental attendant at the park.
"After he graduated high school, he entered the Marine Corps and unfortunately he was killed in a line of duty death," Koessler said. "His sister Val is now head of boat rentals here, and she asked, because is nickname was Duck, that we get a duck."
Salem will soon have a plaque on the boat rental house as well.
"It's fun to have a duck and a memory of Salem when he's floating around the lake and putting a smile on everyone's face," Koessler said.
Boat rentals run for the rest of the summer at Hoyt Lake.
You can reserve a time by clicking here.