October-November 2011 Issue #1

PARKS PERSPECTIVES
October-November, 2011
IN SEARCH OF THE
PERFECT TREE
If you think you have THE
tree for Clinton Square this
holiday season, please call the
Parks main office at 473-4330.
The tree should be a Norway
Spruce, 55-60 feet high and
accessible from the street.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for
the Parks Department’s
Spooktacular Halloween
program, scheduled for Oct.
22, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 at
Burnet Park, to help in the
Haunted House and with
some of the carnival games. If
interested, please contact
Mary Beth Roach at 473-4330
or via email at
[email protected].
A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER MUHAMMAD
Greetings –
TREE OF
CONTENTS
We are excited to launch the inaugural issue of “Parks
Perspectives,” a newsletter aimed at keeping the friends
of City Parks informed about our programs.
Many of our projects are the result of collaborative efforts
with other city departments, not-for-profits, volunteers,
park associations, corporations, and foundations, so it is
important to us that we report on our progress and
acknowledge the contributions that so many in our
community have made.
Volunteer
Spotlight
Page 1
Works in
Progress
Page 2
Rinks
Open
Calendars
of Events
Page 4
Page 3
New Vets
Memorial
Page 4
The “Tree of Contents,” created by intern Jeff VanLiew, is a take on
the Parks Department logo and offers a glimpse of some of the topics
covered in this first issue, from updates on building projects to
calendars of events.
We will begin to run the newsletter on a bimonthly basis.
If you have any story ideas, calendar listings, and/or people or groups
we can add to our mailing list, please let us know.
TOOT YOUR HORN
Auditions for the
youth All-Star Band
are currently being
scheduled. Band
members are high
school students who reside in
the city of Syracuse. The
Band will begin rehearsing in
the fall to prepare for the
holiday concerts; they will
resume rehearsals in the
spring and begin their 7-week
summer schedule of
performances in late June,
playing nearly 55 shows. The
members are all city
residents; and must be able to
commit to the 7 weeks in the
summer, from late June
through early August.
Interested youth can schedule
an audition by calling Mary
Beth Roach at City Parks at
473-4330 or via email at
[email protected].
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
DIGGING IN
Thornden Park Association Board Members Tim Rice, Marilyn Zaelon, Andy Ford and Miranda
Hine were joined by more than 40 ESF students in the Park recently as part of the school’s
Saturday or Service Program. The industrious group — armed with shovels, rakes and loppers,
removed grass from 35 trees, and trimmed back growth from the tennis courts, amphitheatre
and various walkways in the park. Gardening volunteers have given 228 hours of their time in
2011.
www.syracuse.ny.us/parks
412 Spencer St., Syracuse, NY 13204 — (315) 473-4330
Stephanie A. Miner, Mayor
Baye Muhammad, Commissioner
John D. Walsh, Deputy Commissioner
WORK PROGRESSES ON ONONDAGA FIREBARN, ELMWOOD MILL BUILDING,
FORMAN PARK FOUNTAIN
What’s old is new again -- or so it seems
with several renovation projects currently in the works in city parks.
The Onondaga Park Fire Barn
is in the process of being converted into
a multi-purpose community center, with
space for neighborhood meetings, the
Fire Barn Café gatherings and environmental education programming.
Once the Elmwood Firehouse, built in
1913 to serve that growing neighborhood, the building was designed by Thurber Gillette to blend in with the Craftsman style prevalent in the area. The $1,050,000-renovation includes extensive abatement work
for lead paint and asbestos, new heating and air conditioning systems, elevator, wheelchairaccessible restrooms, improvements to the 1st and 2nd floors, three meeting rooms, and space
for SUNY ESF researchers. Despite all the updates though, much of the charm and historic character of the building will remain intact — the original tin ceilings, glazed brick walls, and the oak
staircase from the apparatus bay to the firefighters’ dormitory.
The project, due to be completed by the end of 2011, will culminate many years of work between city and elected officials and representatives from the various neighborhood groups around Onondaga Park, including the Onondaga Park
Association and the Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association. The funds for the project have come from a variety of sources, including
grants from SUNY ESF and NYS Parks, as well as local matching funds.
Elmwood Mill Building
The historic mill building, also known as the
Elmwood Fish and Game Club, is undergoing a
partial renovation that stabilizes the building to
prevent deterioration. The roof was replaced
and exterior walls were repaired last spring.
Now, the lower level is being upgraded to provide restrooms for permitted park users. Prior
to seeking funds to renovate the remainder of
the building and adjacent grounds, the City
hopes to hold meetings to get input from
neighbors and park stakeholders.
The first phase of the project will be completed
by Halloween. The improvements were funded by a federal grant from Housing and Urban Development for $248,000.
Forman Park Fountain
The Connective Corridor reconstruction of Forman Park began in
early August. The old fountain has been removed and the construction team has built the foundation and installed the electrical conduits
and mechanical piping to serve the new fountain. Upcoming work
includes the completion of the fountain, the installation of new walkways and site furniture within the Park, and the planting of new landscaping throughout the Park. Tree protection within the Park was
also utilized to protect mature trees. This project is expected to be
completed by the end of 2011.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2011
EASTWOOD RUN — Sun., Oct. 23 — 10 a.m. — Sunnycrest Park — Enjoy the fall colors in Eastwood and
test yourself in this 5-mile run — the final race of Syrathon 2011. Visit eastwoodneighbor.com for more
information.
SPOOKTACULAR — Sat., Oct. 22; Fri., Oct. 28 and Sat., Oct. 29 — 6 to 9 p.m. –- Plenty of
tricks and treats at this annual Halloween program at Burnet Park. Pumpkin Patch with activities and
carnival games and Haunted House for those who dare. Free admission. Anyone interested in
volunteering to help at the event, please email Mary Beth Roach at [email protected]. or call at
473-4330. Sponsored, in part, by Price Chopper.
SWIM PROGRAMS — Free public swim and adult lap swim at Southwest, Valley and Huntington School Pools. Also swim
lessons for children and adults; water exercise programs for adults; and pre-competitive swim team available. Check out
www.syracuse.ny.us/parks for schedules and registration applications.
CLINTON SQUARE TREE LIGHTING,
presented by Bank of America – Fri., Nov. 25 —
Usher in the holidays with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Clinton
Square — a time-honored tradition that spans generations and decades.
A brief musical program will begin at 6:30, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus and
culminating with the lighting of the 55-foot Norway Spruce.
Followed by free skating at the rink, sponsored by Y94FM, B104.7, WSYR,
HOT 1079, and POWER AM620.
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FIT KIDS PROGRAM — Three city parks will be home to Fit Kids Clubs, a free SIX-week
program led by certified fitness instructors. The sessions include fun, active games and exercises that
help children burn lots of energy while building aerobic, muscle, and bone health...in a safe, non-competitive
environment. The program begins Oct. 17 and meets twice a week after school, at these sites: Ed Smith School
on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3 p.m.; McChesney on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5 p.m.; and Kirk Park on
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 pm. Parents...register your child today!
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i
K
KIDS CAFÉ — Free hot meals are served to youth under 18 years of age at the centers at Schiller Park, Kirk Park and Wilson Park while
school is in session. Call your nearest center for more information. Schiller Park: 473-4780; Kirk Park: 473-2799; Wilson Park: 4736828.
TUTORING — with Huntington Learning Centers at four City Rec Centers. Students from qualifying city schools can receive free help!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SERIES — exciting adventures year round; although October’s adventure is Horsemanship is already
filled, , look for winter break activities in December and February, and ski programs through the winter!
YOUTH BOWLING — Children, ages 9 to 14. $6 per week for 2 games and rentals. Mondays, Oct 24 through
Dec 5 . E-mail for details!
Spanning the Distance
City carpenters pose on the new bridge they constructed and installed in Elmwood Park in just five
days. The new span replaces the one that was
washed away in the rains that deluged Central New
York earlier this spring. National Grid donated the
telephone poles under the decking.
From left to right: Dan Loveless, Marty Barrett, foreman
Mike McCarthy, Tom Hoag, and Bob Frigon.
CITY’S THREE ICE RINKS TO OPEN
The City’s ice rink at Meachem is currently open Tuesdays through Fridays from
noon to 4 p.m. Sunnycrest and Meachem Rinks will open for the regular season on
Tues., Nov. 1, with the outdoor ink at Clinton Square opening on Friday, Nov. 25.
For hours of operation and fees for the various rinks, visit www.syracuse.ny.us/
parks and click on the ice skating photo.
Season passes are available — they make great holiday gifts! Please call the main
office at 473-4330. Or you can print out the form from the Parks web site, fill it
out and mail the form and payment to the Parks Department, 412 Spencer St.,
Syracuse, NY 13202.
Celebrate your child’s birthday this winter with a skating party. Call the
Department’s main office at 473-4330 for information on hosting a party at
Sunnycrest Rink or call the Clinton Square Rink at 423-0129.
Skaters enjoy an afternoon at the outdoor rink
at Clinton Square.
VETERANS MEMORIAL UNVEILED AT MAGNARELLI CENTER
The North High School Hall of Fame Committee joined Mayor Stephanie
Miner and Parks Commissioner Baye Muhammad at the Armond Magnarelli
Center at McChesney Park earlier this month to unveil the new Veterans
Memorial at McChesney Park, which commemorates alumni from North
High School who served in the military. The site includes a granite
monument, a lighted flag pole, and new landscaping, all surrounded by a
brick walkway. The Hall of Fame Committee has launched a brick-buying
campaign, with the cost of each memorial brick being $50. To place an
order, please write to the North High School Hall of Fame Inc., P.O. Box
914, Syracuse, NY 13206, to obtain an order form.
Vince Stagnitta, far left, co-founder of the North High
School Hall of Fame, joins Lou Aiello, far right, class of ‘59,
one of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and co-founder of
COR Development, in presenting checks to Commissioner
Muhammad, second from left, and Mayor Miner for the
Veterans Memorial at the Magnarelli Center and for refinishing work on the gym floor at the Center.
The Committee also introduced 19 alumni who have been inducted into the
2011 class of Hall of Fame at the Magnarelli Community Center. The
individuals have distinguished themselves in the fields of athletics, business,
community service; education; government service; science; volunteerism;
and visual, performing arts, and journalism.
The Committee also presented Mayor Miner and Commissioner
Muhammad with checks for the Memorial and for work to refinish the gym
floor at the center.
We Want Your Input
As with any new project, this newsletter is a work in progress. If you have any information and/or photos, calendar items,
possible volunteers to spotlight, or story ideas, please let us know. Please send your ideas and comments to Mary Beth Roach at
[email protected].