Kanazawa Island

Kanazawa Island is a small man-made islet in North Campus on Lake LaSalle. It is situated adjacent to the Wilkeson Quadrangle of the Ellicott Complex and connected to land by a short footbridge. The islet is approximately a quarter-acre in size and was originally part of a peninsula before becoming an island sometime after the Ellicott Complex was built in the 1970s. Today, it features a circular pathway, a few benches and lamp posts, and is ringed by newly planted cherry blossom-like trees. Officially named Kanazawa Island (after Buffalo's sister city in Japan), it even bears the city seal of Kanazawa embedded in its sidewalk.

"Stoner Island" Nickname

For decades, the island has been a popular student hideaway due to its secluded, dark setting. It earned the nickname "Stoner Island" because students frequently went there to smoke marijuana or cigarettes away from prying eyes. Beyond smoking, the island's hidden nature also made it the site of occasional student gatherings and pranks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, large groups congregated on the island for an outdoor party - an event that drew attention for violating health guidelines and prompted at least one student to notify campus police.

University Renovations

University administrators have been aware of the island's unique status. In the early 2020s, UB undertook a project to rehabilitate Kanazawa Island, which had fallen into disrepair. In 2021, UB announced "much-needed" renovations to the islet: crumbling 1970s-era asphalt paths were narrowed and rebuilt, shoreline erosion was addressed, and a dozen flowering trees (including eastern redbuds) were planted in a ring around the island. The improvements also included new sidewalks, repairs to the footbridge, and installation of the Kanazawa city seal as a nod to the island's namesake. According to a UB planner, historical records did not originally show an island - suggesting it was once connected to land - but it "became an island" at some point decades ago, adding a bit of mystery to its origin.

The renovated Kanazawa Island officially serves as a "peaceful campus escape" for students and staff, according to UB's sustainability office. UB officials acknowledge that despite past neglect, students and alumni "still found it to be a special location," underscoring its place in campus culture. Since the upgrades, the island remains accessible via its footbridge (any temporary caution tape or barriers placed during construction or COVID restrictions have been removed). Campus authorities have not imposed any permanent ban on visiting the islet, though standard rules (e.g. no underage drinking or illegal drug use) apply.