Syracuse Parks & Rec

The city’s parks department will start construction on the new dog spot this spring.

[Jan. 14] CLINTON SQUARE ICE RINK REGISTRATION IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO RINK MAINTENANCE. Skaters registered for today’s skating sessions are welcome to skate. If you are currently registered through Jan. 19, we will keep you updated as we know more. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

[Jan.13] CLINTON SQUARE ICE RINK REGISTRATION IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO RINK MAINTENANCE. Skaters registered for today’s skating sessions are encouraged and welcome. If you are currently registered through Jan. 19, we will keep you updated as we know more. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

LINCOLN PARK REMINDER: Today the traffic patterns in Lincoln Park changed as a temporary solution to prevent the illegal dumping that has frequently occurred throughout the park. The entrance on Robinson Street near Vine Street will be the sole access point for vehicles entering and exiting the park until further notice. A locked gate was installed at Mather Street. Large planter boxes have been placed just south of the parking lot off of Robinson Street, restricting thru tr...affic to the round-top area and Lincoln Park Drive. These changes are in response to an increase of illegal dumping in Lincoln Park with items such as: appliances, electronics, furniture, and tires. The illegal dumping creates safety concerns for City staff in addition to the time and resources required to continuously clean out. The City will reconvene with Lincoln Park neighbors to reassess the impact of the traffic changes in the spring of 2021. Syracuse Parks and Rec will continue to monitor activity and complaints with the Syracuse Police Department during this time. The public can report instances of illegal dumping by calling 315-442-5111. To report City parks in need of litter removal, the public can: visit CityLine online at cityline.syrgov.net; call 315-448-2489 (CITY); or email our Parks Ground Superintendent at [email protected]. Detailed information related to trash collection policies and procedures can be found at http://www.syrgov.net/Trash_Pickup_-_Residential.aspx. The Nov. 17 virtual public information meeting can be viewed at https://youtu.be/BGF_-q3g3Hk.

CLINTON SQUARE ICE RINK REGISTRATION IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO RINK MAINTENANCE. Skaters registered for today’s skating sessions are encouraged and welcome. If you are currently registered through Jan. 19, we will keep you updated as we know more. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

SENIOR INDOOR WALKING OPTION AVAILABLE AT MAGNARELLI CENTER TO CITY RESIDENTS Pre-registration for all sessions will be required and COVID-19 rules will be in effect The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer opportunities for City residents, ages 55 and older, to walk or run laps at the Magnarelli Community Center gymnasium, located at 2308 Grant Boulevard, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19. We understand the importance of physical activity a...nd how the lack of it can impact an individual’s overall well-being. We have been working hard to comply with all current local and state guidance while balancing the safety of our employees and community to creatively deliver recreational opportunities to our residents, said Parks Commissioner Julie LaFave. The walking sessions at Magnarelli Community Center are just another example of us trying to adapt to our current situation. If the demand for more indoor walking is there, we will gladly add additional sessions. Capacity will be limited based on current local and state guidance. As of Wednesday, Nov. 25, building occupancy will not exceed eight (8) walkers at a time. Advanced registration is required. Residents can register for one session per day. Walking sessions will be available Tuesday through Thursday for one hour, including arrival and departure. To start, session times will be offered at the following times: 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Online reservations can be made at Syracuse.recdesk.com starting Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 8 a.m. and will open one week in advance. Residents are encouraged to set up an account prior to registering. Walk-up admissions will not be allowed. The following health and safety precautions will be taken: Residents who are not feeling well are asked to stay home. Masks must be worn in the building at all times. Temperatures will be taken for each patron prior to entry. Walkers must remain six feet apart from other walkers unless they reside in the same household. Locker rooms will remain closed. Center users should come ready to walk and leave once they are done or when the session is over. Additional programs and activities will not be available. Exercise rooms will remain closed. Staff will clean building areas throughout the hour-long sessions and will conduct a deeper cleaning in the 30-minute window between sessions, when the building is completely emptied out. For more information, call the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs at 315-473-4330.

GREAT PROJECT FOR TODAY! The Winter Wonderland Art Contest for ages 7 - 12 is in effect and we want see those winter wonderland drawings! Email a photo of the completed project to [email protected] by December 2, 2021 for a chance to win a prize courtesy the Syracuse Parks Conservancy. See flyer below for more details.

LINCOLN PARK LOVE Crews spent the last two days dedicated to the fall cleaning of Lincoln Park. Notable accomplishments included: Overhanging brush trimmed along Lincoln Park Drive. Gazebo area landscape pruned, trimmed and shaped.... Staircases in and along the perimeter of the park swept and cleared. Litter collection! (This is an ongoing, time-consuming task that our crews continue to contend with) Please help keep our parks clean and beautiful by keeping them litter-free! If you are interested in organizing a park clean-up, please email [email protected].

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE REPORT Our Grounds crews have been working hard and getting things done. Just a few updates: Burlingham Park: Safety hazards have been removed in the SE corner of the park. Trees were trimmed to open up a seating area. Plans for the water basin, soil, seed and dedication plaque will follow in the next phases of park improvements.... Ormand Spencer: Overgrown and neglected community garden was cleared out and cleaned up. Onondaga Park (Upper): Tennis court overgrowth on Arlington have been removed. Norwood Park: Wood chip installation on the playground. Overgrowth on Ashdale is scheduled to be removed this week, weather permitting. Schiller Park: Field aeration is taking place today.

GREAT ADVICE FROM A TREE: Dear Friend, Stand Tall and Proud Sink your roots deeply into the Earth Reflect the light of a greater source... Think long term Go out on a limb Remember your place among all living beings Embrace with joy the changing seasons For each yields its own abundance The energy and birth of spring The growth and contentment of summer The wisdom to let go of leaves in the fall The rest and quiet renewal of winter Feel the wind and the sun And delight in their presence Look up at the moon that shines down upon you And the mystery of the stars at night. Seek nourishment from the good things in life Simple pleasures Earth, fresh air, light Be content with your natural beauty Drink plenty of water Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes Be flexible Remember your roots Enjoy the view! - Ilan Shamir Photo: Elmwood Park trees and staircase captured today, December 11, 2020.

LET THERE BE LIGHT - Tonight Mayor Ben Walsh joined Rabbi Rapoport in Clinton Square for the 39th year of the Chabad-Lubavitchat Menorah lighting with the assistance of the Syracuse Fire Department City of Syracuse - Office of the Mayor CHAG SAMEACH! For information regarding ice skating in Clinton Square for the 2020/21 season visit www.skatesinthecity.com for procedures and protocol.

THANKS Thornden Park Association, for everything you do in Thornden Park!

NEW BEGINNINGS We are always thinking seasons ahead at the Parks Department, so with that, our spring seeding has started. We will keep you posted on the seedlings journey from greenhouse to ground #SeedlingSeries Thank you to our gardeners and grounds staff for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the greenhouse and City plantings.... : Grounds staffer

TONIGHT IS (FREE!) VIRTUAL FAMILY YOGA with Dr. Rebecca from 5:15-6pm. She’s amazing! We have space available and hope you will join us - all levels and abilities welcome and encouraged to register. Register at https://syracuse.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail

FRANKLIN IN THE FALL. Find joy in each day. #syracuseparks #franklinsquaresyracuse

HAPPY FRIDAY, SYRACUSE! Wherever your path leads you this weekend, we hope it’s wonderful and safe with an added bonus of getting to explore a few of our beautiful parks...better yet, download the Gotcha app, grab a Gotcha bike and cover more ground. Enjoy it! #Syracuseparks #Cusecolors2020

To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before and which shall never be seen again. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. Even 2020! Share your beautiful park moments in the comments below. #CuseColors2020 #Syracuseparks #LincolnPark #SchillerPark

PUPPY APPROVED Annie, Bea and Chuck made an onsite visit at Ormand Spencer Park to scope out the future home of a long-awaited dog park in the city of Syracuse. #PupsOfParks Please help Councilor Greene and the Syracuse Parks Conservancy reach their fundraising goal. DONATE at https://bit.ly/3cuHeMb #ICYMI... Councilor Michael Greene is working with the Syracuse Parks Conservancy to raise funds for a dog park installation at Ormand Spencer Park on E. Water Street. The Parks Conservancy's GoFundMe campaign will cover the cost of installing fencing, benches, stone dust and other amenities to convert an abandoned softball field into a functional dog park. Those who donate $100 will be able to have their dog's name written on a "Founding Pups" plaque that will be put on the site. We will also be seeking Bronze ($250), Silver ($500), Gold ($1,000) and platinum ($5,000) sponsors. Please type your dog’s name in the comment section when you donate. For all inquiries about the dog park, please email Councilor Greene at [email protected] If you see a loose dog roaming around contact the Syracuse Police Department Dog Control Office at (315) 473-6608.