PARKS PERSPECTIVES - City of Syracuse

PARKS PERSPECTIVES
December, 2011
A SEASON FOR ALL AGES
City crews and workers from C&S Companies
harness, cut, and transport this year’s tree from
Nedrow to Clinton Square for the Tree Lighting
Ceremonies. Once at the Square, city
electricians string approximately 16,000 LED
lights all in anticipation for the Big Night, which
was Nov. 25th. City children joined Mayor
Stephanie Miner and Santa and Mrs. Claus in
lighting the 55-plus-foot tree. Community
groups performed holiday music,
as thousands of Central New Yorkers
came downtown on that balmy evening
to enjoy the festivities. Despite the warm
temperatures, there was even free
skating at the Clinton Square Ice rink.
(Photos from the Tree Lighting Ceremonies
by Mike Okoniewski.)
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

DARRYL LOVE
EVA ZOOK
Darryl Love, center, takes a break from work, with crewmembers
Steve Tonas, left, and Darryl Love Jr.
A 21-year-employee with the City of Syracuse, Darryl Love is
one of the longest-serving members of the Parks Dept.’s grounds
maintenance division. He has had a lot of jobs in his 2-plus-decade
career with the City, he said, and he loves being outdoors.
He and his crew are responsible for maintaining acres of green
space in the parks on the East side and some Southside sites, On
many weekends during the summer months, Darryl can be seen
working at the festivals in Clinton Square. And most recently, he
has taken on the additional job of handling the Parks afternoon
mail run.
―Regardless of the task at hand, Darryl always has a smile on his
face and is one of the friendliest co-workers,‖ said Mary Beth
Roach, of the Special Events Division.
Born and raised in Syracuse and a 1980 graduate of Bishop Ludden
High School, Darryl has four children and seven grandchildren,
who keep him busy when he’s not working, he said with a smile.
Many of the murals that beautify the city parks– including those at
the entrances to the Southwest Pool and Valley Pool, the Arts &
Crafts Center at Burnet Park, and the community center at Wilson
Park; the side of the bathhouse at Kirk Park, and the mosaic
panels at the former Ward Bakery site on Shonnard Street –
showcase the artistic talents of Eva Zook, who has been part of
the Arts & Crafts Division of the Parks Dept. for 14 years.
Eva has been involved in creating these artworks, working with
fellow staff members and members of the community. As a recreation
activities specialist, she also teaches four clay classes to
adults at Burnet Park and occasionally works with the youth in
developing arts projects. Some of the students in her classes
over the years have created some unique ornaments for the Festival
of Lights holiday program at Burnet Park, as well.
She received her bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University
and an associate’s degree in arts and sciences from Onondaga
Community College.
CHRIS O’BRIEN
Hardly a special event goes on in the City Parks
Dept. without the help of Chris O’Brien. Over
the past seven years or so, she has led hundreds of
people on haunted house tours and dressed as a
crazy clown for the Halloween Spooktacular; she’s
served up thousands of meals at the Breakfast with
Santa; she’s one of the hostesses at the sponsor area
during the City’s Fireworks Celebration; she’s distributed
thousands of prizes at the Easter Egg Hunt; and
she has been a guide at the department’s Big Rig
Show in the spring.
Her enthusiasm and her bright and cheerful personality
make the events more enjoyable for the staff
and guests, alike.
Chris O’Brien, left, with Parks Dept.
staffer Britney Walsh -Farmer during Big
Rig Day.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DECEMBER, 2011
HORSE-DRAWN WAGON RIDES — Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, & 17 — Armory Square
Tour Armory Square this holiday season aboard a free horse-drawn wagon ride. The wagons board on Franklin Street, between
Walton and Jefferson Streets, near Starbucks. For more holiday events in Armory Square, visit
www.armorysquareofsyracuse.com and click on the Events tab.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Dec. 9 and 10; Dec. 17 and 18 – 6 to 8:45 p.m. – Burnet Park
Bring your family and friends on a horse-drawn wagon ride through the decorated Burnet Park, with a stop at ―The North Pole‖
and a visit with Santa. Free admission; free holiday treats. Board the wagons at the former warming room area at Burnet
Park. Free activities for the children, including face painting and storybook reading while you wait for the wagons. Presented, in
part, by Price Chopper.
STAN COLELLA ALL-STAR BAND HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Saturday, Dec. 10 – 12:20 to 1:20 pm -- Festival of Trees at Shoppingtown Mall
Sunday, Dec. 18 – 10 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 2 pm – Breakfast with Santa – 135 State Fair Blvd., near Sacred Heart
PHOTOS WITH SANTA — Sat., Dec. 17 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Webster Pond, Valley Drive — small donation required
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – Sun., Dec. 18 – 10 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m. — – Pensabene’s Casa
Grande Restaurant. Free breakfast with Santa for children and their families. Although the event is free, tickets are
required. For tickets, please email syracuseparks@ci.syracuse.ny.us or call 473-4330, ext. 3006. The Breakfast has
been made possible by the City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation, and the generous support of the Pensabene Family;
Price Chopper, Byrne Dairy, Pepsi, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
MAYOR’S ROUNDBALL CLASSIC — Wed., Dec. 28-Thurs., Dec. 29 — LeMoyne College
This annual two-day tournament showcases the talents of the basketball players from Corcoran, Fowler, Henninger, Nottingham, and IT. The
games on Dec. 28 are at 5 and 7 pm; the Consolation Game will be at 3 p.m. on Dec. 29, followed by the IT-Faith Heritage game at 5 p.m., and
the Championship Game at 7 p.m. Proceeds from admission at the door benefit the schools’ athletic programs.
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS:
Pool Closings:
Dec. 24 - 26; Dec. 31-Jan. 2 All Pools Closed
December 26 - January 6 Huntington and Max Newman ONLY
Rink Hours:
Clinton Square Holiday Hours:
Dec. 24 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Dec. 25 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Jan. 1 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Meachem and Sunnycrest Rinks:
Dec. 24 and Jan. 1 Rinks close at 3:00 pm
Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 Rinks Closed
PARKS DEPT. HAS
THE HOLIDAYS
ALL WRAPPED UP
For the golfer and/or skater on your
holiday gift-giving list, consider season
passes to the Sunnycrest and
Burnet Golf Courses or the Sunnycrest
and Meachem Ice Rinks. Or
give the gift of summer camp.
Vouchers are on sale, good for one
week of summer camp. Call 473-
4330 for more information.

FREE WEDNESDAYS, OTHER DEALS
AT SUNNYCREST, MEACHEM RINKS
Ice skaters have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city rinks at Sunnycrest
and Meachem this season with a variety of specials:
Lunch Specials – Mondays through Fridays, from 12 noon to 3
p.m. For a $4 admission, skaters receive admission, skate rental,
and hot chocolate or coffee.
Senior Skate – from 9 to 11:45 a.m. on Thursdays at Sunnycrest;
from 9 to 11:45 a.m. on Fridays at Meachem. For $1, seniors,
55-plus, can skate and enjoy free hot chocolate or coffee.
Skate-n-Shoot – 9 a.m. to 11:45 on Thursdays. Skaters can
practice their hockey skills or enjoy pick-up hockey games. Players
must have their own hockey equipment and helmets.
Extended hours for Skate Rentals -- Skate rentals will be
available during all open skate sessions this season.
Free Skate – The City of Syracuse will offer free skating at Sunnycrest
and Meachem on Wednesdays. Skate rental fees apply.
For more information, please call 473-4330; Meachem Ice Rink at
492-0179; or Sunnycrest at 473-4696. Sunnycrest Rink is next to
Henninger High School on Robinson Street, and Meachem Rink is
located on West Seneca Turnpike in the Valley.
The rinks will be open to the public for skating sessions. Individuals
interested in obtaining the complete schedule can check the city’s
website at www.syracuse.ny.us or call the City Parks’ hotline at 473-
4336.
INTEREST IN XC SKIING SNOWBALLS AT SUNNYCREST
can they expect when skiing in a more urban setting like Sunnycrest?
The first advantage, Houck explained, is that the skiing is close to
home. ―Should we always have to drive an hour to enjoy the winter
outdoors?‖ he asked.
The location provides some amazing views of the city, and there are
some quiet wooded areas, Houck noted, and because the terrain of
the park is rolling, the trails offer skiers diversity, without a lot of
difficulty. He anticipates even better skiing this year with the addition
of a new snowmobile that will allow for better grooming. The trails
are very suitable for snowshoers, as well, Houck said.
Youngsters from the city’s recreation centers enjoy cross-country skiing at
Sunnycrest
Cross-country skiers don’t have to travel miles and miles to get to
their favorite trails. They can check out the Sunnycrest Golf Course
– yes, the golf course. Since the winter of 2004-05, the Sunnycrest
Park Association, in collaboration with the Parks Dept., has been
offering the program at this Eastwood golf course.
―The Sunnycrest Park Association was looking to add cross country
skiing to the Park,‖ explained Russ Houck, of the Syracuse Nordic
Skiing Club. ―We had several people experienced with ski instruction
and grooming to help get the program going.‖
For those who enjoy the trails and settings at such sites as Beaver
Lake, Highland Forest, and Green Lakes State Park, for example, what
Skiers can use the trails every day; the golf clubhouse/ski lodge is
open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting,
and is a comfortable setting, with restrooms and snacks. Ski
rentals are available at the clubhouse on weekends -- $5 for adults
and $3 for youth and this includes admission fee. For those with
their own skis, admission is $2 for adults and $1 for juniors (12 and
under) and seniors (55 and over). Season passes are also available.
With interest in the park as a cross-country skiing spot snowballing,
the Syracuse Nordic Ski club has been working with Highland Forest
County park to run some XC skiing events. They are also working
on details for a family ski event, and youth skiing and games during
Winterfest at Sunnycrest this year.
For more information for program details and registration, see the
webblog www.syracusenordicskiing.blogspot.com

YOUTH REC OFFERS VARIETY OF FITNESS AND FUN PROGRAMS
Silver Knights Soccer Clinic —
Syracuse’s newest professional sports
teams, the Silver Knights, are off to a
blazing start in league play with a 3-0
record! However, the players, led by
coach Tommy Tanner, are also devoting
time to a series of neighborhood
youth clinics in the City of Syracuse.
The ―Have a Ball‖ Clinics, sponsored
by POMCO, kicked off at the Shonnard
Street Boys and Girls Club on
November 15 th . More than 75 west
side youth received expert instruction
from Coach Tanner and his team,
before leaving with their very own soccer ball. A northside clinic is
scheduled for December 8 at the Magnarelli Center (McChesney Park).
Call 473-4330 for more information.
Fit Kids Club — Kids need at least 60 minutes a day! That’s the
message from the Centers for Disease Control, US Health and Human
Services, NFL Play60, and more, regarding the recommended
amount of daily physical activity for our youth. Syracuse Parks is
helping neighborhood youth achieve that goal through Fit Kids
Clubs, which bring fitness professionals into city recreation centers
for twice weekly sessions that include an hour of active games and
safe exercises. Kids learn the importance of staying active throughout
their lifespan. Look for new FIT Kids programs in 2012.
Horsemanship Program
— On a warm
autumn Saturday in October,
12 youth were introduced
to the world of
horsemanship at Mystic
Mountain stables. More
than just a riding program,
the instructors from
―From The Ground Up
Horsemanship‖ also included
such lessons as
horse grooming and
groundwork into the daylong
session. The day
concluded with lunch and an exciting game of Horse Jeopardy.
Bring on the dusty trails!
Greek or Treat — an annual rite of Halloween, Greek or Treat
volunteers invited local youth agencies to the campus of Syracuse
University on October 28 for a few hours of fun games, and of
course, sweet treats. Led by student guides, children walked houseto-house
along Walnut Street where the student residents had prepared
uniquely-themed games and activities. Some spooky, some
friendly, all a blast. City Parks extends its gratitude to SU’s Greek
Life for another exciting Greek or Treat!
Flag Football —City
parks wrapped up another
Recreation Center
Flag Football season with
its championship games
on November 3. Six
weeks of games were
contested on the turf at
Burnet Park. Northeast
Community Center were
crowned champions in
the 8-10 yr old division,
while Ed Smith After
School Program claimed the 11-13 Division Championship. Congratulations
to all participants!
Healthy Nutrition with Cornell Cooperative Extension—
For nearly 10 years, the City of Syracuse has been fortunate to partner
with Cornell to offer outstanding nutrition-related programs to
city youth. This fall, two of their star programs are taking place in
City Recreation Centers. Cooking Together For Family Meals
brings kids and adults together on Tuesdays at the Magnarelli Center
for lessons on how to prepare simple, inexpensive, healthy
meals…together! On Fridays, nutritionist Cheryl Neal leads another
award-winning curriculum, Cooking Up Fun, at the Ed
Smith After School Program. In both programs, participants learn
about meal prep, kitchen safety, and different cooking methods,
while being introduced to new, healthy (tasty) foods. Can you say
rutabaga?
Tennis in
the Parks—
Two after
school sites
offered tennis
programming
this past fall,
thanks to a
long-standing
partnership
with the Central
New
York Tennis
Association, and to a group of dedicated volunteers from Syracuse
University. CNYTA’s Steve Pekich brought certified instruction to
Kirk Park for a 6-week fall tennis session, following 5 weeks of summer
clinics in various parks. Meanwhile, SU senior Chris Azar recruited
fellow students to help with an instructional program at
Barry Park and Ed Smith School this fall. Chris has, in fact, devoted
countless hours over the past few years to coordinating a number
of fun, instructional tennis sessions in City Parks. Our thanks to
both groups!

Some of the 65 runners who completed the Syrathon running series show off (and rightfully so) their medallions at Sunnycrest Park after the Eastwood Parkto-Park
Autumn Run, which marked the last event in this series.
EASTWOOD RUN CONCLUDES SYRATHON; 65 RUNNERS COMPLETE SERIES
For 65 of the more than 275 runners in October’s Park-To-Park Autumn Run, the 5-mile course along Eastwood’s tree-lined streets represented
more than just another road race. For those 65, Eastwood represented the final leg of the Syrathon 2011 Road Race Series… a 6-
race series that included a grand total of 29.2 miles, through Syracuse parks and unique City neighborhoods.
Beginning with the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run back in March, the six series races (also including Paige’s Butterfly Run, Mountain Goat, Inner
Harbor Run, and Strathmore Parks Run) attracted more than 7,500 registrants. Powered by Fleet Feet Syracuse, Saucony, and the Syracuse
New Times, Syrathon encourages folks to stay active year round through the sport of running, while taking in the sights and sounds of city
neighborhoods. Congratulations to all 2011 Syrathoners:
Brian Abbott
Ashlee Abrantes
Susan Allington
Melanie Amodio
Rob Anderson
Deb Armstrong
Michael Ashbridge
Deb Audley
Lauren Berkun
Deb Bowyer
Chris Boyce
Connie Ciccone
John Crowley
Bethany Daniluk
Betty Jane Davies
Dennis Delaney
John Demott
Ryan Donahue
Maura Donovan
Chip Eschenfelder
Tish Ferri
John Ferrini
Brandi Ferrini
Jason Fingerman
Mindy Lu Gaffney
Nancy Gardina
Karen Gentile
James Giannettino
Toni Giannettino
Maria Gigante
Mark Godleski
Sue Green
Karen Haynes
Elaine Henning
Emily Keicher
Jason Keicher
Todd Keller
Stacy Keppler
Mary Jo Kiggins
Jacob Kish
Chris Komar
Naomi Krebs
Natalie Krohl
Bridget Lamothe
Ted Lenio
Jane Magari
Devin McBride
Margaret McPeak
Jean Miller
Beth Montague
Emily Napier
Denise Napoli
Laurie Panto
Deb Patterson
David Pierson
Gretchen Pierson
Catherine Salvagni
William Scott
Michael Stainstreet
Patrick Stainstreet
Amber Suriani
Robert Taylor
Shereen Webb
Eva Wojtalewski
Patrick Wrobel