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
PARKS PERSPECTIVES March –April 2012 — Issue #4
CONTENTS
Youth Recreation Updates;
Summer Camp Information — Page 2
What They Did
on Their Midwinter Break — Page 3
New Feature — ―In Their Own Words‖ —
Page 4
Youth Advisory Board — page 4
Employee Spotlight — Page 6
Egg Hunt; Big Rig Day Info — Page 7
Healthy Cooking — Page 7
CITY HONORED BY RECREATION & PARKS SOCIETIES
Syrathon, the foot race tour of Syracuse
parks, kicks off the 2012 season with
the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run on March
10 at Burnet Park.
A collaborative effort between the
City‘s Department of Parks and Recrea-
tion, Fleet Feet Sports, The Syracuse
New Times, and Saucony Sports, Syra-
thon consists of now EIGHT races
throughout the spring, summer and fall,
taking participants through a dozen
city neighborhoods and hundreds of
acres of parks.
The total for all these races is now just
over 42 miles, bringing about a new chal-
lenge for 2012 — for participants to com-
plete their own, personal marathon by ac-
cumulating 26.2 miles over the course of
the series.
The goal of the Syrathon is to encour-
age healthful physical activity through-
out the year while promoting the sights
and sounds of city life, according to
Chris Abbott, director of youth recrea-
tion for the City Parks Department and
one of the driving forces of the pro-
gram.
SYRATHON SERIES ADDS TWO NEW RACES, MORE CHALLENGES
The City of Syracuse is being recognized
by the local and state Recreation and Parks
Societies this spring with several awards.
The Central New York Recreation and
Parks Society (CNYRPS) will award the
City for Outstanding Facility, Volunteer-
ism, Publications/Promotional Brochures;
and Publications/Special Publications and
Marketing.
These four winners were then sent to the
New York State Recreation and Park Soci-
ety (NYSRPS) and three were selected for
state honors in the categories of Volunteer-
ism and two in the Publications categories.
The CNYRPS, which includes officials
from parks departments throughout the
region and the state, recognize employees
and individuals that have distinguished
themselves in the field of recreation; out-
standing facilities, programs and promo-
tional initiatives.
(continued on Page 6)
The series is participation-based, so no
need to worry about place or finish times.
Simply take each race at your own pace
and have fun!
Syrathon 2012 includes: Tipp Hill Sham-
rock Run with its 4-mile course; the Dunn
Tire Mountain Goat Run ―the granddaddy
of them all, with a 10-mile course; Paige‘s
Butterfly Run, a 5K or 3.1 mile race; the
Inner Harbor 5K, again 5K or 3.1 miles;
the Strathmore Parks Run at 4 miles; and
the 5-mile Eastwood Park-to-Park Autumn
Run. New to the Syrathon series is the
Valley neighborhood‘s Nature In the City
4-mile Run to be held in August, and A
Run For Their Life, which highlights
Thornden Park and the Connective Corri-
dor, and includes both a 5K and 15K dis-
tance.
Each run is a separate event, run by differ-
ent organizing committees, with its own
flavor, and benefitting different organiza-
tions.
Runners can certainly opt to pick just one
or two of them, if they wish. Indeed, the
popular race -day prize drawings return in
2012, with Syrathon sponsors offering
such great items as footwear, restaurant
gift certificates and much more. Be sure to
visit the Syrathon booth on race day to
enter the free drawing!
However, those choosing to accept the
Syrathon challenge and accumulate 26.2
miles over the course of the series will
receive a Syrathon Technical Race Shirt
and finisher medallion! To register for the
challenge, visit the Syrathon Page on our
Parks website, visit the Syrathon booth on
race day, or stop by Fleet Feet.
Registration for the challenge will be ac-
cepted through June 2 (Paige‘s Butterfly
Run).
The Tipp Hill Shamrock
Run — March 10
Right from the blast of
the starter‘s gun at the
first Shamrock Run in
2006, this particular
(continued on page 5)
Little Laxers Lacrosse Clinics with the
Ultimate Goal on Saturdays, March 31 to
April 28 at Burnet Park. From 9 a.m. to
10:15 a.m. for ages 4-12. $35 includes all 5
sessions.
Shooting For A‘s. Free program for girls
age 10-13. Join SU student athletes for
educational and sport activities on Thurs-
days in April at the Carmelo Anthony Cen-
ter at Manley from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Registration required!
FIT Kids After School Fitness program:
Free!!! Certified instructors lead sessions
designed to help children gain the recom-
mended 60 minutes of exer-
cise in a safe environment.
The program will be held at two sites: Ed
Smith School on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and at the South-
west Community Center on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30p.m.
For more information, contact Chris Ab-
bott is: [email protected].
Tennis Lessons with USTA coaches: on
Fridays, from April 20 to May 18 at Barry
Park. The lessons will run from 3:30 to
4:30 p.m. $20 includes all sessions.
Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run Competi-
tions. Free baseball skills competition.
Winners of the local events can advance to
regional and national competitions! Regis-
ter for one of the following:
Schiller Park: 11 a.m. on Friday April
13
Kirk Park: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday
May 4
Other sites to be announced!
A.C.T.I.O.N. Basketball League: Regis-
tration Night is Thursday May 31 at 6 p.m.
at the Magnarelli Center at McChesney
Park.
Summer League Open Divisions for youth
ages 11-12 and 13-15.
SPRING IS BLOOMING WITH PLENTY OF SPORTS CLINICS AND LEAGUES
April 1st may be April Fool‘s Day, but it‘s
no joke — registration for summer camps
and swim lessons start that day for city
residents.
Check the department‘s website —
www.syracuse.ny.us/parks — for a full
listing of sport and educational camps, plus
leagues and swim lessons! Also, a full
print brochure will be out in April. Keep
active this summer, both in body and mind,
with Syracuse Parks and Recreation!
Camp Fees for city residents are $40-full
day camps / $25 half-day.
Forms are available on the website, and at
the City Parks Main Office and Commu-
nity Centers.
Some dates (subject to change):
June 25: Animal Camp; Craft Camp
July 9: Soccer; Fire/Police
July 16: Basketball; MOST Science;
Tennis
July 23: Track, Tennis, ESF I
July 30: Multi Sport; ESF II; Tennis
August 6: Robotics, Tennis, MOST II
SUMMER CAMP, SWIM REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 1ST — NO FOOLING!
Soccer Camp
Wilson Park Partners with SU
While school was out during February
Recess, the learning, and the fun, contin-
ued at Wilson Park, thanks to the efforts
of Syracuse University professor Mi-
chelle Walker and more than 30 of her
students from SU‘s Maxwell School.
The 2nd Annual ‗Cuse Spot at Wilson
Park featured nearly a dozen educational
and activity sessions throughout the vaca-
tion week, ranging from Cooking Class,
Ice Skating, Jewelry Making, and Fash-
ion Design, to Computer Technology,
language classes in French and Korean,
Photography, and the ever popular ―CSI
Wilson Park‖…a fun exploration of fo-
rensic science.
Nearly 50 youth from Wilson Park and
other community centers took part in the
week long program! Under the guidance
of Walker, students worked tirelessly to
create lesson plans and prepare registra-
tion and session materials, before then
leading each of the sessions.
Wilson Park director Barbara Grimes and
her staff also worked incredibly hard in
collaboration with Walker and the stu-
dents to coordinate activities and ensure
another highly successful ‗Cuse Spot! At
the end of the week, children were able to
display their projects and newfound
knowledge during a celebratory Ice
Cream Social. The ―Cuse Spot at Wilson
Park is a prime example of the generosity
and community spirit continuously on
display by our friends on the University
Hill. Great thanks to all participants for a
fantastic week.
FOCUSING ON ‗CUSE‘S KIDS DURING WINTER BREAK
While the winter of 2011-2012 may be
remembered for its lack of snow and mild
temperatures, local weather conditions did
not stop Parks After School programs from
creating some incredible snowmen master-
pieces!
Ok, so the snowmen may not
have been made of actual
snow. But, as part of the Sun-
nycrest Park Association‘s
annual Snowman Convention,
city youth were able to let their
creative and artistic juices flow
while developing snowman
projects from anything but the
cold, white stuff!
Thanks to Mike Benhke and
George Mathews of SPA and
The Great Snowman Conven-
tion, City Parks after school
programs were invited, along
with youth from schools across the city, to
be part of this uniquely Syracuse event.
Armed with a donated$20 gift card to
Michaels Craft Store, and unlimited crea-
tivity, each center worked for several days
on the projects, with themes ranging from
a winter wonderland, to a snowman vil-
lage, to the ―coolest‖ Syracuse Orange fan.
The annual event provides another won-
derful way to celebrate winter in Syracuse!
CENTERS‘ CREATIVITY SNOWBALLS AT ANNUAL WINTERTIME CONVENTION
In Their Own Words
Pool Patrons Find Fun, Friendship, Fitness
The Syracuse Parks Department is looking
for Syracuse residents, between the ages of
14 and 19, who are interested in being a
member of the Youth Advisory Board.
is charged with the mission of identifying
youth‘s needs and to advise the Depart-
ment on strategies for promoting the
growth, the development and the well-
being of youth in this community.
Those involved in the program will assist
in planning, promoting and implementing
youth programs and services; planning and
participating in community service activi-
ties; in fostering a greater involvement in
municipal government; in hosting youth
forums and conferences and acting as an
advocate for youth and teens.
If you are interested in getting involved –
or know someone who is – please visit the
Parks Department‘s website at
www.syracuse.ny.us/parks to fill out and
submit an application or call the Depart-
ment‘s main office at 473-4330 for more information.
Parks Department Seeking Members To Establish New Youth Advisory Board
Some patrons of the Parks Department’s
Southwest Pool and the Water Exercise
Class held there recently shared their
thoughts on the facility and the staff.
At right, instructor Ali Prettyman in-
structs the Water Exercise Class.
From JoAnn Williams
About Southwest Pool: The water is al-
ways a perfect temperature! The life-
guards are very professional. It‘s a great
place to bring your family.
About Water Exercise with Ali Prettyman:
The best water program ever! I am super-
charged when I leave Ali‘s class! The
class allows you to exercise every muscle
and joint in your body all at the same time,
as well as develop cardio fitness. We are
moving non-stop for 45 minutes with an
outstanding instructor. . . .Go Ali!
From Dianne Gray-Bell
I enjoy my classes with Mr. Ali. Each
class is energetic and full of cardio and
work all parts of the body the entire 45
minutes. Each class is different, with wa-
ter equipment to work the upper and lower
body parts. I get the tone in my body from
weight loss. This is a good thing, and I
like that.
From Dawn Kotary
About Southwest
Pool: Have had a
wonderful experi-
ence with all life-
guards there. Very
polite and helpful all
the time. It‘s a very
good place to enjoy
and relax.
About the Water Exercise Program with
Ali Prettyman
Number One Person in my life that helped
me throw away my cane for walking. It‘s
been a great experience to have met Ali
through Southwest swimming pool. I just
think he‘s wonderful.
From Mary Bundy and Alice Gorman
This pool remains our favorite facility!
Ann Hickey‘s management has been im-
pressive and provides strong mentorship to
her staff. There is a high standard for
cleanliness and safety. The pool provides
an opportunity for a diverse group of peo-
ple to stay fit in an extraordinarily wel-
coming environment. Friendships started
between and among people who would
never have gotten to meet in any other
context. Locker-room conversation is
always positive and appreciative of having
this facility available.
The Dept. of Parks and Rec. provided us
with a treasure in the person of Ali Pretty-
man. His constant quest for expertise in
his field benefits all who take his classes.
Every class contains an internal plan that is
clearly the result of careful planning. He
has a remarkable ability to provide for
individual needs within the context of the
class. It is obvious he approaches the task
of teaching these classes with complete
dedication; his attire, choice of music,
equipment and the seriousness of purpose
all attest to his professionalism. People
attend these classes with joy and enthusi-
asm.
From Sharon Topp
Hi! Today is Mardi Gras – and tomorrow
Lent begins. For me, it means that I will
ask God‘s guidance and help with my food
choices, to commit to swimming 4 times a
week and to grow as a Christian. I truly
appreciate all your support and enjoy see-
ing you every week. You are the bright
spot in my day.
God bless you!
Paige‘s Butterfly Run
June 2
The 5K (3.1-mile) be-
gins near Clinton
Square, and connects
through the Leavenworth Park
neighborhood; the Inner Harbor and
the Creekwalk. The race benefits the
Center of Children‘s Cancer and Blood
Disorders at Golisano Children‘s Hos-
pital
Website: www.paigesbutterflyrun.org
Valley Nature in the
City Run
Aug. 11 This 4 mile run bene-
fitting the Meachem
Area Park Associa-
tion begins at
Meachem Field and goes through val-
ley neighborhoods and parks. Included
is a unique one mile stretch of trails
through an urban forest
known as the Rand
Tract.
The Inner Harbor 5K
Aug. 26
This run, usually held
in late August, begins
from the Inner Harbor and winds
through LeavenworthPark and the
Creekwalk. Proceeds benefit the Inner
Wealth Initiative, a collaborative &
grassroots movement intended to en-
hance the mental health and wellness
of children
Website: www.innerwealth.org
Strathmore Parks
Run – Onondaga
Park
Sept. 23
This 4-mile run, usu-
ally held in September, starts and ends
in Onondaga Park, and the course takes
runners through the historic Strathmore
neighborhood before heading to the
Woodlawn Reservoir, which offers
some of the most beautiful views of the
city‘s skyline.
Website:
www.strathmoreneighborhood.com
Eastwood Park-
to-Park Autumn
Run
Oct. 28
The 5-mile run be-
gins and ends at
Sunnycrest Park, and the course
brings runners through the tree-
lined streets of Eastwood. The
website
www.eastwoodneighbor.com will
have updates on this event.
For more information on Syrathon,
check out
www.syracuse.ny.us/parks or
www.fleetfeetsyracuse.com.
Syrathon Series Gears Up For Another Season, Adds Two More Races
NEW SIGNAGE ON CREEKWALK
New signage has been installed along the
Creek-walk to assist those using the walk
should an emergency situation arise.
If an urgent situation occurs, people need
to call 9-1-1 and give them the zone noted
on the sign.
ANGLERS ASSOC. SELLS
MEMORIAL BRICK S FOR POND
The Anglers Association of Onondaga at
Webster Pond continues to offer personal-
ized bricks for sale. Each brick is $100,
and can be a unique way to honor a loved
one or commemorate a special event, for
example. The bricks will be used to create
planters at Webster Pond, on Valley Drive.
The monies raised will enable the mem-
bers of the Association to continue mainte-
nance and upkeep efforts at the Pond as
well as take on new projects.
For more information on the program and
to download an order form, visit
www.websterpond.org.
A Run for
Their Life
Oct. 14
This event benefits the Carol M Bald-
win Breast Cancer Research Fund and
includes a 5k walk and run through
Thornden Park and a 15k run that
highlights both the Park, Syracuse
University, and the Connective Corri-
dor!
Website:
www.cmbarunfortheirlife.com
event has experienced tremendous suc-
cess, as thousands of runners, anxious to
get outdoors after a long Central New
York winter, line up on Coleridge Avenue
to begin the four-mile course through
Burnet Park and past some of the land-
marks of Tipperary Hill, including of
course, the famous ―green-on-top‖ traffic
light. Music from local bands along the
route provides motivation.
Website: www.tipphillrun.com
The Dunn Tire
Mountain Goat Run
May 5
Starting and ending at
downtown‘s Clinton
Square, this 10-mile
road race takes runners through nearly
every neighborhood of the city – from
the Near West Side through Onondaga
Park and the South Side, up into the
University area and Thornden Park,
and back through the east side before
returning downtown. The real chal-
lenge – as if the 10 miles in and of
isn‘t enough – are the steep terrain
around the Woodlawn Reservoir and
in Thornden Park.
Website:
www.mountaingoatrun.com.
PARKS POSTS
(continued from Page 1)
guished themselves in the field of recrea-
tion; outstanding facilities, programs and
promotional initiatives.
The Onon-
daga
Creek-
walk,
which links
downtown
Syracuse to
the Inner
Harbor,
won as Outstanding Facility. The 2.6-mile
walkway takes visitors along Onondaga
Creek from the bustling Armory Square
neighborhood to the end of the Barge Ca-
nal, adjacent to the Carousel Center.
While on the Creekwalk, visitors will get
an opportunity to see some of the remark-
able transformations that have happened
over the past 25 years – Armory
Square, the Syracuse University Ware-
house; Washington Street Station, the
home of O‘Brien and Gere; the Franklin
Square area; past the Syracuse Parks
Dept.‘s main offices and through the Inner
Harbor.
The Volunteerism
Award went to Chris
O‘Brien, who has
worked many of the
special events over the
past seven years and
was featured in this
newsletter a few
months ago. Born and
raised in Fairmount,
Chris lives with her
husband, Mike, on Tipperary Hill.
The ―Historic Down-
town Syracuse, NY
Walking Tour‖ bro-
chure was chosen as the
winner in the Publica-
tions/Promotional Bro-
chures category. This
booklet, published by the Downtown
Committee of Syracuse, Inc., chronicles
through drawings, photos and text, many
of the historical and refurbished landmarks
in downtown Syracuse and the roles they
play in the ongoing development of down-
town. By following the map in the center
of the publication, users can follow along.
A must-have piece for any history buff.
―Parks Perspectives,‖ this electronic news-
letter, was selected as the winner in the
Publications/Special Publication and Mar-
keting category.
Syracuse Recognized by CNY and NYS Recreation and Park Societies
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT — DOG CONTROL OFFICER BARB KEMPF
Dog may be man's best friend,
but Syracuse Dog Control Officer Barb
Kempf might just be a dog's best friend.
Having held this job for 31 years, Barb has
made some remarkable rescues and has
helped to reunite many pets with their
owners, one of the most rewarding aspects
of her work, she noted.
She recounts the day when two women in
the Eastwood area had come across a lost
shih tzu mix. Barb simply took the ani-
mal‘s leash and gently repeated to the dog,
―Take me home. Take me home.‖
And to Barb‘s surprise the dog did.
Successful with this method once, she used
it again in bringing a dog back home in the
Westcott neighborhood.
She enjoys the time she spends with the
dogs and their owners.
―That‘s why I‘m still here,‖ she said. ―It‘s
just so rewarding.‖
She tells the story of one poor little pup
stuck in a sewer. A construction worker
had been on his lunch break and became
aware of the dog. Barb was dispatched to
the scene. She called for assistance from
the Department of Public Works to help
lift the sewer grate up; she found a ladder
climbed down into the sewer, retrieved the
dog and carried it back up the ladder.
An animal lover at heart, Barb graduated
from SUNY Canton, earning a degree in
animal husbandry. She worked at the
SPCA and at the Humane Society and had
a number of internships with veterinarians.
Of course, Barb has pets, a Siberian Husky
named Thor and a ferret named Bandit.
She credits Thor with saving her husband's
life. Thor had been acting more attentive
toward her husband, Ed, than it had in the
past, For example, Thor had always slept
on Barb's side of the room until one night
when it moved to Ed's side of the bed. It
continued to stare at Ed during the night,
and at one point, even laid its head on his
chest. Ed had been experiencing some
problems with the medicines he had been
taking for a medical condition. He was
supposed to see his physician but hadn‘t.
Barb was convinced that Thor sensed
something was wrong with Ed and per-
suaded her husband to follow up with his
doctor. Sure enough, he was diagnosed
with pre-cancer in the esophagus — about
the same area that Thor had rested its head,
Barb pointed out.
Ed has been receiving treatments and
most of the tumor is gone.
AN EGG-TRA
SPECIAL EASTER
EVENT
The annual Easter Egg Hunt for
children two to 10 years of age,
will take place on Sat., March
31, at Burnet Park, beginning at
11 a.m. Pre-registration is re-
quired; and requests for free
tickets are currently being
taken.
The Hunt is open to the first
500 children to pre-register.
The Hunt will be broken up
into different age groups, with
the youngsters in each group
getting a specified amount of
time to find and gather as many
eggs as they can.
The eggs are redeemed for
prizes, according to how many
eggs are collected.
City residents can pre-register
now; non-city residents can
begin registering their children
on March 12.
The younger children, ages 2-4
years old, will begin the Hunt at
11 a.m.; those 5 to 7 years of
age will follow at approxi-
mately 11:15 a.m.; and those 8
to 10 years of age will start at
about 11:30 a.m.
In each Hunt will be an egg
with a special chip marked ―95‖
inside (in honor of the Parks‘
Department‘s 95th anniversary
this year.). Those who find that
egg are registered in a raffle to
win a special prize.
To pre-register, please call the
Special Events Division at 473-
4330, ext. 3006 or 3007; or
email your request, including
the ages of your children, and
address where tickets can be
mailed. You can email Britney
Farmer at
REV UP YOUR
ENGINES FOR BIG
RIG DAY
Kids – rev up and join us for
the annual Big Rig Day event
at Burnet Park.
On Sat., April 28, from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m., children and
their families will have the
opportunity to get a close-up
view of some of the city‘s big
trucks, including fire engines,
snow plows, payloaders, and dump trucks – along with some big
rigs from area companies. The youngsters can climb in and
around the vehicles, even get behind the wheel.
There will also be activities for the kids and refreshments will be
available for sale. Free admission and no pre-registration or
tickets are required.
Monthly Recipe, contributed by Cornell Cooperative Exten-
sion of Onondaga County. CCE brings award winning nutri-
tion education programs to City youth and families throughout
the school year! City Parks is a proud partner! Enjoy!
HEALTHY COOKING
GOOD MORNING MUFFINS
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 medium or large eggs
2 medium apples washed, cored, and chopped
1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots
½ cup raisins
1 cup juice packed crushed pineapple including juice
½ cup applesauce
1/3 cup oil
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375°F
Line 24 2-1/2 inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; or spray with vegetable spray, set aside.
In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; stir in brown sugar. Stir in apples, carrots, and raisins.
In a medium bowl combine un-drained pineapple, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add pineapple mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake in a 375°F oven for about 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean.
Cool in muffin cups on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muf-fin cups and serve warm
Nutritional Information, per muf-fin: 110 calories; 4g total fat (0g sat or trans!); 18g Carb (9g sugar); 2g fiber; 2g pro-tein; 120mg salt)