The Leaf - Thornden Park Association

The Leaf
Page 1
A Publication of the Thornden Park Association, Syracuse NY
Mar 2015
Volume 2, Issue 1
Letter from the Co-Presidents
Inside this issue:
Park News
2
Get Active!
3
Historical Focus
5
Updates
6
Upcoming Events
7
Contact Us
8
Welcome to the Spring Issue of the Thornden Park Newsletter. I know
that Spring, that very elusive season in Syracuse, is difficult to imagine
when we have several feet of snow on the ground and below-freezing
temperatures, but according to the calendar, Spring arrived on March
20th.
I want to thank everyone in the community who came out and supported Thornden
Park Association at Chili Bowl Fest. The
chili was especially delicious this
year. Many thanks to Dan Sanders (our
chili cook) and Lyn Simmer (sous chef,
and organizer extraordinaire) who spearheaded the Chili Bowl subcommittee. Kudos also go out to the Chili Bowl
subcommittee members: Paul Aviles, Carol Simson, Ellen Somers, and
Marilyn Zaleon.
TPA has had a busy winter: the Association has been recommended for
an UNSAAC grant to replace the outdoor exercise stations; and the
Thornden Park Bulldogs have also been recommended for an UNSAAC
grant to help fund new equipment and uniforms. TPA is also seeking
funds from Area 5-TNT to help purchase a new drinking fountain for the
Park, which will service both people and pets. TNT will vote on our proposal at the March 10th mtg. at Notthingham HS.
As Thornden Park slowly emerges from winter dormancy, landscape projects (both hardscape and plantings) and outdoor activities will begin to
happen. Think about increasing your use of the Park. Take a walk
through the park or a bike ride; on Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22nd),
volunteer to clean up; bring your children or your grandchildren to the
playground; plan a picnic, attend a musical event, or watch a play.
Whatever your choice, Thornden Park is waiting for you.
Sondra Roth
Park News
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2015 Chili Bowl Fest Photos
The Mills Rose Garden at Thornden Park
The lovely rose garden that helps make Thornden Park so popular and famous is maintained by
the folks at the Syracuse Rose Society, the oldest rose society in America. Each Wednesday morning and late afternoon, volunteers from the greater Syracuse area (no experience needed!) come
to help weed and prune from April through October. The park superintendent, Danny Collins keeps
the garden and park mowed and helps with heavier tasks, but otherwise the garden and park are
maintained by volunteers.
Here are some fun facts about the Mills Rose Garden:

The Mills Rose Garden was named the Best Wedding Photo Spot in 2014 by the Best of
Syracuse New Times annual poll.

Annual Rose Day is held on the Wednesday closest to Rose Day (the 15 th of June). This is
when roses are at their peak, during their first bloom. This was only day you could pick a
rose to fasten to your hat or on your lapel, but that practice had to be discontinued because people picked too many!

There are over 3550 rose bushes in the garden.

The Mills Rose Garden was voted the 2nd best Rose Garden in America!
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The Garden’s 90th anniversary was celebrated in 2014
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There are still at least two original roses in the garden, Lady Ursula, a dependable, pink Hybrid Tea rose and Dorothy Perkins, the
Wichuriana Climber which can still be found along the back fence.

Thornden Park is the third site for the rose garden. The first (with 2500 rose bushes) was planted in Kirk Park in 1911. In 1915, the
garden was moved to Mt. Olympus behind the old library and chemistry building of Syracuse University. The move to Thornden Park,
acquired by the City of Syracuse in 1921, allowed Syracuse University’s School of Forestry to take over Mt. Olympus land.
Get Active!
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Springtime And Activity
The need to become more physically active starts nagging us as daylight lengthens and the hint of warmth teases us into believing springtime is imminent. One of the uncomfortable facts of life is that we tend to gain 2 or more pounds/year—generally
around the holiday season. But did you know that living within a mile of
a park promotes physical activity? WOW! If only it were that easy…..
You undoubtedly know that being more physically active:
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

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Controls your weight.
Decreases arthritic pain.
Maintains strong muscles and bones.
Promotes brain health and decreases risk of dementia.
Promotes a healthy heart and decreases risk of heart disease.
Decreases side effects of diabetes.
Improves your mental health and mood.
And more!
These benefits are achieved with just 150 minutes of physical activity
weekly—or as little as 20 minutes per day! The wonderful thing is that
our bodies crave physical activity so much that ANY activity is better
than none. We just weren’t meant to be sedentary creatures—even though our inclination to “just sit” may be strong!
Some ways to increase your physical activity AND enjoy Thornden Park include:

Joining the Monday and Thursday FREE 30-minute exercise class at the Carriage House.
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Walking, following the designated loop (almost 1 mile).
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Volunteering in the Rose Garden on Wednesdays (morning and evening).

Volunteering to weed: Find dates in upcoming editions of this newsletter or contact Miranda Hine (email listed on Contacts
page).
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Bicycling the perimeter of the park or the roads (great workout up the hills).
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Swimming (adult swim in the mornings when the pool is open).
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Participating in outdoor games with your kids or neighbor kids (Frisbee, catch, tag, somersaults).
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Playing tennis, basketball, football, soccer, and flying kites.
Commit to being more active by using Thornden Park as your very own
wellness center. The benefits are endless!
Get Active!
Page 4
New Exercise Course
The TPA Board is quite excited about the recent University Neighborhood Service Agreement Advisory Committee (UNSACC)
award for a new exercise course along the Madison street corridor to replace the wooden ParCourse stations. The 15 stations,
originally installed in 1978, have fallen into disrepair, as wood structures do. The TPA has undertaken an extensive study of the
best approach to revitalizing the stations. While repair would be nice in order to retain the original structures and maintain the
historical nature of the park, we found it to be prohibitively expensive to replace signage and to adequately repair the wood stations, only to have weather take its toll again.
Therefore, we submitted a grant to UNSACC requesting money to replace 4-5 of the stations beginning at the Madison Street
entrance. These metal stations, which utilize current popular exercise movements, will be installed in cement beds. The most
popular station, the chin up bar, will not be replaced as it is in good condition with repairs being made consistently to keep it in
good working order.
HealthBeat, the premier outdoor exercise equipment company, recently installed similar equipment in Schiller Park. The four
pieces we anticipate include a Squat Press, Balance Steps, Assisted Row/Push Up and Plyometrics. Each station includes its
own signage. Watch for installation this spring!
Tips for Walking in the Park

Wear reflective clothing in order to enhance visibility.
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Stay alert as there are no sidewalks.
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Walk facing traffic always.
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When pavement is marked by a solid line, stay inside it.
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Stand tall, especially going uphill. Doing this will build back, core, and leg strength.
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Fitness is achieved from a mix of both time and distance. A 22-minute mile is a normal walking pace (most pedestrian
crossings are set for this pace). A 12-minute mile is a slow jog.

Current guidelines recommend a minimum of 150 minutes/week of moderately-intense exercise. That’s just 30 minutes
5x/week or two trips around the park 5 days per week!

To achieve fitness benefits, walk at a pace that allows you to talk still. If you can sing, you are walking too slowly for fitness benefits
Historical Focus
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THE ELON P. STEWART RESERVOIR
The Elon P. Stewart Reservoir, named after a former city water engineer, has
stood as a sentry overlooking the east side of Syracuse since its construction
in 1925. This standpipe is a key part of the city's water system and is gravityfed by Skaneateles Lake (860 feet), which is higher than Thornden (732 feet).
The steel tank, which is enclosed in a masonry building, is open at the top.
The tank itself is 77-feet across, 60-feet high, and holds 2-million gallons of
water. When it was constructed, engineers boasted that if every house in the
neighborhood flushed their toilets at the same time, there would be no drop
in pressure.
Among the best features of this neoclassical building, heavily influenced by Greek and Roman architecture, is its entrance or
portal. The main portion of the architrave is the frieze at the center of which sits the head of Neptune, god of the seas surrounded by seashells and triglyphs in relief.
First organized in 1841, the city’s water system used hollowed-out logs to move water from spring-fed reservoirs to the center of
town. By the 1880's the need for water had greatly increased as the population boomed, and a more reliable source was needed.
After much debate, Skaneateles Lake was chosen as the city's new water source. Two side-by-side cast iron pipes were laid over
a 19-mile route between the lake and Syracuse. Although laying pipe through solid rock, across ravines, and through quicksand
was a difficult task, in 1894, after 5-years of construction, the pipeline was complete. City water was stored in Syracuse Reservoir
now called Woodland. In the 1920's, two “above tanks” called standpipes, were built—one at Woodland and one at Thornden.
In 1992 the water tower received much-needed attention. The exterior renovation of the standpipe included replacement of the
roof, repair of masonry, removal of graffiti, application of sealer to the masonry, and installation of both security lighting and a
wrought-iron fence around the tower to protect it from future vandalism.
The dignity of this stoic structure was restored when, as a final touch of the 1992-1993 renovation, the missing letters of Elon P.
Stewart's name were replaced. More than twenty years later, in 2014, $2.9 million was spent on the Thornden Park water tower
which culminated with a new, 11-ton, aluminum roof being hoisted onto the standpipe on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014. The new roof
replaces the original concrete-and-steel dome installed when the water tower was built in 1925. Hiring Spensieri Diversified LLC
of Geddes as the general contractor on the project, city officials undertook extensive repair work this year because of severe deterioration of the roof and of 16-concrete columns inside the structure that support the roof. With the new roof in place, the project is nearly done. All that is left is some minor work such as painting and removal of the scaffolding.
On a clear day, the standpipe affords visitors a spectacular view of the city, Onondaga Lake and Lake Ontario The site is used by
joggers, dog walkers, and stargazers, as well as kite flyers, and at sunrise on May Day it takes on an ancient flavor, when Celtic
rites of fertility are celebrated by the Thornden Morris Dancers and scores of spectators enjoy the celebration of the “Earth
Mother”…the “awakening [of] spring and bringing the earth to life.”
Updates
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LATEST WORD FROM ELON P STEWART
STANDPIPE (AGE 90)
Once warmer weather comes work on the Giant in the Park
can be finally finished. The WaterTower roof replacement
has taken far longer than was predicted after asbestos was
discovered and had to be carefully removed. It also became
evident the structural columns would have to be repaired or
rebuilt. All these unexpected work additions have added
months of time (and nearly $1 Million) to complete.
But now all that remains to be done is to provide finish work,
including epoxy, to the new roof and this can be completed
as soon as it's warm enough.
Then the fencing comes down! And the roadway reopens!! And the Tower can again become a wonderful location to view the
City -- it's a great destination for walkers and cyclists and the locale for various annual celebrations of informal holidays by local
groups. A great place for picnics, too. And -- marathon runners -- remember that when you get to the Tower it's the high point -it's all downhill to downtown from there.
[Special Note: About ten minutes before sunset on a clear day you will see a City below gleaming in the most glorious color!]
TEAMING UP WITH THE THORNDEN
PARK BULLDOGS
Thornden Park Association will be receiving $2000 from the
City this July to purchase new uniforms and safety equipment
for many of the 180+ players and cheerleaders of the Thornden Park Bulldogs. The funds come through TPA's successful application to the UNSAAC (Syracuse University Neighborhood Agreement) program for the 2015-2016 year and we
will advance them for the new equipment and be reimbursed
by the City when the new equipment arrives.
The Bulldogs are working to expand their connections with
the neighborhood. Give Earl "Gater" Darisaw a call at 315383-3693 or e-mail him at [email protected] if you'd like
to join in a program that provides a terrific positive learning
and teamworking experience for both boys and girls 6
through 14. And the Bulldogs are extending their connections with SU, just as it already has with LeMoyne, which will
bring more students to both the team and to the Park!
COMING UP SOUTH BEECH ? -- HOW'S THIS FOR A FIRST GLIMPSE OF THORNDEN !
When the snow melts it's almost daffodil season -- Thornden Park has its bed way up at the corner of Madison and South
Beech. As part of the Westcott Daffodil Project the Association put in more than 150 bulbs in the last two years. They will
probably blossom a little later than the thousands of others throughout the East Side since the bed is in almost total shade. But
no matter when, they are great greeters to Thornden for everyone coming from the Northeast!
Upcoming Events
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Thornden Morris - MAY DAY CELEBRATION
The 35rd Annual May Day celebration, hosted by Thornden Morris, will take place on Friday, May 1st at 6:00 a.m. (dawn) in Thornden Park at the
Water Tower Hill. This traditional old English celebration features dancing by Thornden, the Bassett Street Hounds, and Ribbonsteel Rapper teams
from Syracuse, and by Heartwood Morris from Ithaca.
The festivities begin with dancers from all the teams performing the Winster Processional to take the “stage” in the parking area behind the Thornden Park water tower. The program of folk dances is interspersed with speeches, singing, and a play. To symbolize the fertility of spring and good
luck, Morris cake and branches of May greenery are passed out to the audience.
During the program, at approximately 6:30, a mumming play will be performed. A new play is written and performed once every year, but adheres
to the traditional mumming form of a broad comedy with themes of light and dark, the death of the protagonist and renewal by the end of winter and
the return of the spring. But each year, topics and characters of current events are woven into this traditional framework for an entertaining performance.
Finally, a May Pole Dance closes the event, where the audience, particularly the children, are invited to participate in dancing and winding the may
pole ribbons.
Each year, approximately 100 – 150 hardy community people attend the event at the water tower. Hot coffee is provided, and audience members
may wish to bring lawn chairs or blankets for watching the performance.
Later in the day, the teams will be performing at other venues in the Syracuse area. For a schedule and more information about this event, please
contact Ann Horan by e-mail at [email protected]. Visit our web site at http://thorndenmorris.org/ for photos and additional information.
DISCOVERY CAMPS in Thornden Park, Summer 2015
Once again the Thornden Park Association has set dates for its highly successful summer Discovery Camp
for children. This year we will be sponsoring three weeks of camp.
Children will explore Thornden Park’s many features, enjoying outdoor activities, which integrate, art, science and language arts. Weather permitting there will be swimming included in daily activities for Camp 1,
Camp 3, and Camp 4. Camp 2 will not swim, but will visit the sprinkler daily. Camp 5 cannot swim because
the pool will be closed by then.
Please note there are TWO registration forms. Please use the Thornden Park Association form for Camps 1
– 3 and The New School form for Camp 4 and 5.
Thornden Park Association full day camps (from 9 am until 3 pm) Please note the Thornden Park Association registration form needs to be used for these camps.
Registration Fee $100. Enrollment is limited to 20
Camp 1:
Week of July 13 for children entering grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 in September.
Camp 2
Week of July 20 for children entering Pre-K, K, and 1 in September.
Camp 3
Week of July 27 for children entering grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 in September.
The New School Full Day Camp (from 9 am until 3 pm)
Please note The New School registration form needs to be used for this camp. Registration Fee $150. Enrollment is limited to 20.
Camp 4
Week of Aug 3 for children entering grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in September.
Camp 5
Week of Aug 24 for children entering grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in September.
Thornden Park Association underwrites part of the cost of Camps 1 - 3. The camp is co-sponsored by The New School and the Department of Parks & Recreation & Youth Programs.
Payment:
Registration forms are available on line at:
Your registration form/fee will secure your child’s place in the camp. There will be no refunds of registration fees.
Registration for Camp 1 – 3: make check payable to Thornden Park Association.
Registration for Camp 4 and 5: make check payable to The New School.
Send registration and payment to:
Miranda Hine
301 Clarendon Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Contact Us
Page 8
Become a Member:
There’s a number of ways to get synched up with us.
Website:: http://www.thorndenpark.org/
Email: [email protected]
Physical Mailing Address:
PO Box 6604
Syracuse, NY 13217
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Thornden
Twitter: Coming Soon!
I
The Thornden Park Association has faithfully cared for the park for
the past 30+ years. Help us assure consisten and loving care of the
Park for the next 30 years by becoming a member of the Thornden
Park Association.
Joining is easy. Just send us your name, address, phone, email, and a
$10 check (annual membership fee) to:
Thornden Park Association
PO Box 6604
Syracuse, NY 13217
Also Please let us know if you are interested in any of the following:
 I would like to help with the garden tours next year
 I would like to help with the chili fest next year
 I am interested in volunteering for gardening and planting projects
 I am interested in helping with grant writing.
n 2002, The Thornden Park Association received a grant to write, design, publish and distribute a brochure that was titled: A Brief History of Thornden Park, A Walking Tour and Guidebook. This document highlights the major features in Thornden Park, and provides information
about its rich history. The Thornden Park Association commissioned artist, Roger DeMuth, to create a map for this brochure. Later the map was reproduced in large format and placed at the E.
M. Mills Rose Garden and at the Pool House. Signed copies of this map are available for $10. If
you are interested in purchasing please contact Miranda Hine [email protected].