PARKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SYRACUSE
Parks and open space help define the character of the City and give it a unique range of assets within the county and region. Syracuse has approximately 172 municipally owned and maintained parks, fields, inactive cemeteries, medians/traffic islands (most of which are landscaped and contribute to neighborhood greenspace), and natural areas. Since Syracuse has about 32% of the County’s population and 61% of the County’s municipal parks, the City is comparatively rich in parks and open space. This abundance of open space is even more apparent in the variety of parks and open space available in the City. These facilities include forested areas, harbors, pools, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, ice skating rinks, golf courses, picnic areas, playgrounds, monuments, trails and public gathering places.
The parks and open space give structure to the City by introducing complementary green and open spaces into the residential and commercial fabric of the City and by helping to unify and even providing identity to neighborhoods within the City. The existence of an extensive parks and open space system provides city residents access to the natural environment, including opportunities for walking and active/passive recreation. The system also protects unique sites for their natural functions and for public use. With the benefits of the parks and open space come significant stewardship responsibilities and costs. The large number of facilities scattered throughout the City require maintenance, security and capital expenditures as well as incurring program, special event and staffing costs.
Community Parks: Community Parks range from 15-75 acres in size and are used by residents beyond the adjacent neighborhoods. These parks usually contain a major facility complex and a significant green space. Community Parks in the City of Syracuse include: Burnet Park, Elmwood Park, Kirk Park, Meachem Field/Valley Pool, Onondaga Park Lower, Onondaga Park Upper, Schiller Park, Sunnycrest Park, and Thornden Park.
Neighborhood Parks and Centers: Neighborhood Parks are usually 2-14 acres in size, with limited use to the surrounding neighborhoods. Some of these parks contain recreational facilities and small green spaces. Neighborhood Parks in the City of Syracuse include: Barry Park, Cannon St. Park, Ida Benderson Senior Center, Castle and State Playground (Libba Cotten Project), Robert Cecile Center, Comfort Tyler Park, Cummings Field, Frazer Park, Jubilee Park, Homer Wheaton Park, Huntington Park, Lewis Park, Lincoln Park, Loguen Park, McChesney Park, McKinley Park, Norwood Park, Roesler Park, Skiddy (West End) Park, Ormond Spencer Park, Spirit of Jubilee Park, Wadsworth Park, Washington Square Park, Westmoreland Park, White Oaks Park, and Wilson Park.
Playlots, Fields, and Courts: The size and service areas of playlots, fields, and courts usually vary. These areas typically contain play equipment and different athletic fields for active recreation. Playlots, fields, and courts in the City of Syracuse include: Baker Playground, Clark Fields, Clinton Playlot, Grace & Messina Playscape, Highland Park, Onondaga-Geddes Playground, Porter Playscape, Sheridan Playground, Sherman Field, Shonnard Playscape, Union Park, Valley Playground, and Van Duyn Field.
Downtown Parks: The size of each of the downtown parks varies, and the service radius generally includes the central business district. These areas contain passive recreational, civic, cultural, and historic elements. Downtown Parks in the City of Syracuse include: Armory Square, Billings Park, Bruce Park, City Place, Clinton Square, Fayette Firefighter’s Memorial Park, Forman Park, Franklin Square Park, Genesee-Townsend Plaza, Hanover Square, Lincoln Plaza, Perseverance Park, Pitts Park, Plum Street Circle, Columbus/St. Mary’s Circle, and Vanderbilt Square.
Open Space Areas and Cemeteries: The size and service radius of open space areas varies. These areas are mostly used for passive recreation and to improve the overall character of the surrounding neighborhoods. Open space areas and cemeteries that the Department is responsible for include: First Ward Cemetery, Burlingham Park (Formerly Gray Ave Park), Leavenworth Park, Lodi Cemetery, Onondaga Creek Boulevard, Pass Arboretum, and Rose Hill Cemetery.
Natural Areas: The size and service radius of natural areas varies. These areas are usually undeveloped containing natural forested or open green space. These areas are intended for passive recreational use. Natural areas in the City of Syracuse include: Heath (Conifer) Park, Meachem Parkway, Morningside Heights Park, Rand Tract (Webster Pond), and Westminster Park.
Medians and Traffic Islands: Medians and traffic islands usually are less than one acre in size. They are highly developed areas that have visual, civic, cultural, and historical importance. Streets, houses, or commercial properties usually border these areas. The Parks Department maintains approximately 90 medians or traffic islands within the City.
PARK ASSOCIATIONS:
Citywide volunteer park associations assist in the general care and maintenance of neighborhood parks and other open spaces in the City of Syracuse. The mission of Park Associations is to protect and enhance City neighborhood parks and open spaces through ongoing volunteer support and special events, and to educate the residents of Syracuse about the importance of parks and open spaces.
Park Associations
- Barry Park Association
- Elmwood Park Neighbors Association
- Eastwood Parks Association
- Heath Park Neighbors Association
- Meachem Area Park Association - M.A.P.A.
- Onondaga Park Association
- Onondaga Park Botanical Garden Subcommittee
- Schiller Park Association
- Sunnycrest Park Association
- Thornden Park Association
Groups Associated w/ Parks
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