Past Projects
2022 – A Year In Review
The Syracuse Parks Conservancy can take great pride in what it has accomplished over the past year. With the additional funding from the City of Syracuse in the amount of $25,000 we have been able to secure a part-time executive director. This additional funding has permitted the executive director to establish a better presence in the community, make more plans for both fundraising and grant writing, and continue supporting the growth of the SPC. It is our hope with some additional funding to be able to make our city parks even more attractive in order to bring more people into the parks for more outdoor activities.
Most important to mention is our continuing partnership with the Parks Department, which continues to be strengthened through the work of Julie LaFave, the former Commissioner, who aids in finding projects for the Conservancy and assists in bringing them into fruition. Without her help the Conservancy would not be able to thrive and grow. This summer we have plans to expand our Movies in the Parks, Pops in the Parks and the Aquathon competition in our city pools.
It is important to mention once again that the Parks Conservancy primarily serves as means for the public to donate directly to their city parks in general or to a specific project in a chosen park. We can accept the donation and put it to work as the donor wishes without it going into a general fund where it might not be used for what the donor directed. Over the past year we have received serval donations of this type to improve our parks, the most recent being a
$5,000 unrestricted donation from the Eastwood Bears upon their dissolution.
Once again I have to attribute the success of the Syracuse Parks Conservancy to the strength of our board and the time each of these individuals contributes to our mission. You can see the results when you visit our website or take a walk through one of the city’s beautiful parks. I hope you will consider making a contribution by volunteering your time or making a monetary donation to the SPC.
Christopher Wiles
President, Syracuse Parks Conservancy
Some of our momentous accomplishments in years past include the following:
- Syrathon – In 2022 we had a great turnout of participants! We had a total of 213 participants. Thank you to our sponsors Dannible & McKee and Mackenzie Hughes!
- Burnet Park Golf – For the third year in a row the Syracuse Parks Conservancy sold hole sponsorships to our community partners. In 2022 we were able to sell sponsorship of three of eight holes. Thank you to our sponsors, Colemans, The Tipperary Hill Neighborhood Association, and J Ryan Funeral Home. We look forward to continuing our efforts to invest in and beautify our parks and thank all of those that participated in our sponsorship program and who visited the course.
- Greening Grants – In cooperation with the Central New York Community Foundation and the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs, the Neighborhood Greening Grants Program was able to fund annual plantings in Strathmore and the Valley and the provision of children’s play equipment outside the MOST. Funds were also allocated to create a community garden on Cannon Street.
Next year as the Syracuse Parks Conservancy enters into our 15th year, we find ourselves full of momentum to reach more individuals across our community, and we are dedicated to continuing our ongoing grant programs and fundraising. In 2023 we will be launching our first pledging program to continuously support the SPC and your local parks.
If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more about Syracuse Parks Conservancy – please fill out a volunteer form on our volunteer page. If you have a project or program that aligns with our mission statement please reach out at [email protected]. We look forward to your continued support in the year ahead.
Syracuse’s First Dog Park
Carm’s Dog House Park at Ormand Spencer Park- In 2021 the Syracuse Parks Conservancy was able to provide funding of $27,000 with contributions from approximately 66 people to complete the transformation of the old softball field into Carm’s Dog House Park.
Syracuse Swims on
In 2021 Covid-19 impacted the city of Syracuse in many ways. One of them being the unfortunate budget cuts that closed our local pools. Because of this the Syracuse Conservancy and the city partnered up to start the Syracuse Swims On campaign. Thanks to the generous donations from over 450 people, and organizations, we were able to raise the $104,000 dollars needed to keep pools open. Of course, sanitation and social distancing were implemented in order to ensure community members could safely enjoy outdoor exercise and fun.
Westmoreland Park Basketball Project
In 2021 the SPC and Park Department partnered with the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation to have the Westmoreland Park basketball courts extensively renovated. The Department planned and oversaw the renovations, while the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation donated $35,000 to the SPC to fund the project.
Mobile Recreation to Go
Due to the pandemic many children were left without camps and activities that are normally offered. The Syracuse Parks Conservancy worked in conjunction with the City of Syracuse to fund virtual programing and “to go” mobile recreation for kids and families throughout the summer months. Funds raised by the Syracuse Parks Conservancy enabled the purchase of sufficient materials for eight uniquely themed craft kits for the nine scheduled weeks of programming. The program was able to make 76 park visits over the nine-week period and delivered 801 craft and activity kits.
Elmwood Bulb Blitz
The Syracuse Parks Conservancy partnered with Lowe’s, which donated 1,580 flower bulbs that were planted by volunteers from Elmwood Park. The Conservancy is excited for the community involvement and hopeful for additional interest in this project during 2021.
Growing Together Tree Project
Greetings from the Growing Together Project. This project is a joint collaboration between the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs and the Syracuse Parks Conservancy, a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to working in the parks. Together, we are working on a number of projects. One of these projects is planting tress to make our city a greener and cleaner place to live.
We need your help to make this happen. Neither city government nor private citizens alone can achieve this goal, but working together we can. We invite you to become part of this project. There are a number of ways you can get involved and make a difference.
- Make a financial donation. Your donation will be used to purchase and plant trees throughout the city. Trees help keep our environment clean and reduce the carbon footprint. Your donation, no matter how large or small can make a difference.
- Volunteer your time. We need volunteers to help plant and maintain these trees. It is not enough to simply put a tree in the ground. We need to ensure that they are cared for and continue to grow.
- Encourage people you know through work, organizations and activities to get involved with this project. They say it takes a village to raise a child and it will take all of us working together to make sure that they have a clean, healthy and beautiful place to live.
We thank you for your time and hope that you will become part of this important project. Please see the flier or contact us on ways you can get involved and make a difference. Please feel free to contact us with your questions and again, thanks for caring.
Respectfully yours,
Patrick Driscoll – Commissioner,Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth
Mike Behnke – President, Syracuse Parks Conservancy
Additional details of this Project
- At the January 2010 Board of Trustees meeting, Patrick Driscoll, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Youth asked the SPC to take on their first formal project with the city and plant 200 trees.
- The first tree, a Pin Oak was planted on May 26, 2010 in the front yard of the Parks and Recreation Headquarters on Spencer Street. A commemorative stone marks the location.
- A variety of native species in a variety of sizes will be planted throughout the parks and green spaces in the city. We are requesting locations from the Commissioner, local Park Associations, Neighborhood Groups, private citizens, and businesses.
- Planting of the trees will be done by members of the SPC and volunteers. We are actively recruiting volunteers to help with the various plantings and for other projects.
- Maintenance of the trees will be done by members of the SPC and private citizens and/or businesses. We encourage all of you who purchase or plant a tree to help water and maintain it if possible. Rest assured that even if you don’t care for it, we will. We expect that some trees may perish but we have experienced Board members who know how to plant and maintain trees.
- SUNY ESF, one of our partners with representation on our Board will also help oversee this project.
Parks Pledge Program
The Syracuse Parks Conservancy (SPC) in partnership with the City of Syracuse Parks, Recreation and Youth Department and the City of Syracuse School District announces the Parks Pledge Program. This program is open to all interested parties but specifically looks to work with students in the Syracuse City School District.
Participants will be asked to complete assignments in each area:
1.Activities in the parks (Please choose at least one):
Planting – Plant a tree, bush, or flowers. Learn about this specie of plant. Is it a native plant? How does it help the environment? What do you need to do to help maintain this?
Cleaning – Help cleanup a park, remove graffiti, rake, cut brush/trees, or dump/recycle garbage. How does this help the environment? What new technologies are available to reduce garbage and pollution? How does nature recycle? What can you do to help our planet stay green?
Building – Help with a building or restoration project such as creating mulch beds, flower boxes, a rain barrel garden or work that has been approved.
Education – With your teacher or an approved guide go for a nature walk. Identify plants and animals. How do these species coexist in nature? How do they compete? How does mankind influence this balance?
Artistic – Submit an idea for an art project in a park. Work on cleaning or restoring present public art. Take pictures and/or paint a scene from a park.
Create your own project – Work with your teacher, other students, your school’s Green Team and the SPC to create your own special project.
2. Documentation:
Report on your work in the parks. Prepare a written and/or oral report for class. Take pictures of what you did. Submit photos for possible posting on the SPC website.
3. Pledge:
Take a personal pledge to do all you can to help maintain and preserve parks and green spaces throughout the City of Syracuse. Continue to remain involved with the parks. Encourage others to get involved. Proudly display your Pledge Certificate.
Lower Union Playground Park
Henninger Rain Garden
We are pleased to announce that after years of working with the Syracuse School district, students have taken over the maintenance of the rain garden at Henninger High School. The Rain Garden was the first in the City. Amy Nirgo from the Sunnycrest Park Association has been a driving force with getting the students involved with the Rain Garden and the environmental trail at Sunnycrest Park. The Syracuse Parks Conservancy is committed to working with these great partners to ensure that our students have every opportunity to learn and explore all the wonders of nature that are outside their schools.
Archives
We also have archive studies and reports pertaining to Syracuse Parks. The following resources will be of interest to those who are interested learning more about our Parks. Visit us again in the future as we are continuously compiling other reports and studies which will be added this page.
Studies conducted by Dr. Diane Kuehn
Professor of Recreation Resources Management and Ecotourism, at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Department of Forest & Natural Resources Management.
- A Tourism Plan for the City of Syracuse’s Parks and Greenspaces (2004)
- A Tourism Plan for the Onondaga Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden (2006)
- A Feasibility Study for the Onondaga Escarpment Greenway – DRAFT
You Can Help Make a Difference!
There are several great opportunities for you to help the Conservancy improve and expand Syracuse parks and green spaces. Become a financial sponsor or get involved hands on by becoming a volunteer.