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 January-February 2012 — Issue #3

CONTENTS

FOCUS ON FITNESS

Senior Programs — page 1

Creekwalk, Pools — page 4

Fitness for Kids & Families — page 5

Healthy Cooking Recipe — page 5

Employee Spotlight — page 2

Volunteer Spotlight — page 3

Park Posts — page 3

Roundball Recap — page 6

Skiddy Park Update — page 6

Let Parks and Recreation help with some of your new year‟s resolutions

With the new year comes renewed promises of getting fit, exercising more and eating better.

The Syracuse Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs can help with some of these resolutions with a variety of activities, facilities

and fitness programs, whether you prefer working out by yourself, with your family or with a group.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

For those 55 years of age or more, the Magnarelli Center at

McChesney Park on the city’s northside has something every

weekday, from basketball to yoga. Even pickleball!

There is walking every weekday morning; weight training on

Monday and Wednesday mornings; yoga on Tuesday and Thurs-

day mornings; strength resistance and training on Tuesday

mornings; body toning on Thursday mornings; basketball on

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; badminton on Tuesday after-

noons; ping pong on Wednesdays; volleyball on Monday afternoons and Fri-

day mornings; and pickleball on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

(Information forms must be filled out at the Center and updated annually in

April.)

But what is pickleball, you may ask? According to the U.S. A. Pickleball

Association, it is the fastest growing sport in North America. It is played on

a court with a net that is 34 inches at the center with solid wood or com-

posite paddles and a wiffle ball and its rules are very similar to badminton. It

was developed in the mid-1960s by Joel Pritchard and some friends, and it

was named for Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who kept running off with the ball .

The Cecile Center in the Valley section of the city has a variety of senior fitness programs,

covering a range of abilities.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, there is a series of strength training, with weights and

balance on Mondays; an aerobics to music class and then a weights session on Wednesdays, and

chair exercises and weights on Fridays.

On Tuesdays, there are two simple chair exercise segments, and a line dance class on Tuesdays

from 9 to 11 a.m., with all kinds of music featured.

(more on page 4)

PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE BEGINNING ANY EXERCISE REGIMEN.

Top photo: Volleyball at the Magnarelli Community Center at McChes-

ney Park; bottom photo: pickleball at the Center

DIANE HUNT

JOHN BIALY

Top right: Diane poses with some of the

youngsters at the Westmoreland Center, from

left, Iyana Phillip, Ajerei Diaz, and Jakia How-

ard. Bottom right: Diane and Joelle Dough-

erty work at the recent Festival of Lights event

at Burnet Park.

Gardener John Bialy waters plants in the

Greenhouse. There is approximately

15,000 to 16,000 square feet of usable

space in the facility, including the growing

area and the Atrium.

On a weekday afternoon, at the Westmore-land Center on the city’s east side, at least a dozen youngsters are there, playing with the recreation aides and one another, watching television, and painting pictures.

In the middle of it all is Diane Hunt, director of the center, situated on Westmoreland Avenue, at Erie Boulevard East. She is well-suited for the job of working with young people, since she’s the oldest of seven, and has raised three sons and is grandmother to seven.

I love the kids, she says.

It’s a statement that has formed the founda-tion of her 20-year career with the Parks Department.

And it’s apparent that her love for the kids is

reciprocated. Diane has worked at all the

department’s centers, and during that time,

with her calming and nurturing demeanor and

big smile, she has developed relationships

with many of the young people.

Some of the older kids will return with gifts on Mother’s Day or during the Christmas season, and she admits that she is finding herself tending to the youngsters of kids who had been at the centers a generation ago.

When not at the center or taking children on a field trip, Diane can also be found working at various special events during the year, and has become a ―regular‖ at the Festival of Lights’ North Pole, in charge of the holiday treats.

Plants are not the only things that have grown in the city’s Greenhouse on Onondaga Avenue, adjacent to Lower Onondaga Park.

So has gardener John Bialy.

John started full-time with the Parks Dept. in the Greenhouse in 1978, but he worked for seven summers prior, and he says that he’d been going there since he was about seven or eight years old — spending time with his uncle, Ben Kuppel, who had overseen the greenhouse operations for decades.

Today, John and the rest of the crew spend their spring, summer and fall months planting and tending to tens of thousands of flowers and shrubs in nearly every pocket of the city – the beds and planters downtown and in city parks and traffic medians, for example.

John estimated that they put out an estimated 80,000 plants by July 4th in about 400 areas and planter pots.

But that doesn't mean the crew is dormant during the winter months.

John pointed out trays and trays of seeds lined up in the growing area of the Green-house. Underneath the trays are heating sheets that provide a more consistent tem-perature to promote growing. The crew hand waters all the plants, which, John ex-plained, allows them more control, since the plants all differ in how much water they need.

John had training in computer technology, but he admits that he found that to be little uninteresting. Yet, he applied his technologi-cal know-how to his work at the Green-house, creating various databases on soil mixtures; watering patterns; and growing conditions for certain plants, in order to determine which species and varieties fared better than others.

Over the years, John has seen the demand for plants and flowers throughout the city grow, but so have the partnerships, he said.

He is pleased to see that more and more neighborhood associations are helping in the plantings, which cultivates a greater interest and pride in the green spaces areas and helps to stem vandalism.

Andrew Maxwell, Katelyn Wright and Greg Michel,

(all from the Department of Planning and Sustain-

ability) demonstrate their commitment to sustain-

ability by planting a tree at Schiller Park.. City –

county arborist Steve Harris (in the red vest) over-

sees the crew.

This year the Parks Department oversaw three

large tree planting projects all supported

through Onondaga County’s Save The Rain

Program – a federally mandated effort to

limit stormwater pollution to Onondaga Lake

and its tributaries using green infrastructure

(in this case trees).

Over 70 trees were planted in the Skunk City

Neighborhood this spring and fall after a long

and disruptive sewer separation project dug up

every road and sidewalk on Hartson, Herri-

man, Hoefler, and Lydell Streets. Residents

had an opportunity to pick from a choice of

species.

In the Court Woodlawn Neighborhood, 59

container trees were planted by Onondaga

Community College students in celebration of

OCCs 50th year in existence.

At Union and Demong Parks and Schiller Park,

104 bare-root trees were planted by over 80

volunteers, including two busloads of ESF stu-

dents, a caravan of students from SUNY Mor-

risville and the Onondaga Earth Corps. There

are no better labor force for tree planting

than these groups!

The Parks Department would like to especially

thank Cornell Cooperative Extension for their

work in planning and training volunteers and

to the Schiller Park Association for refresh-

ments.

SOME “COOL” EVENTS AT

WINTERFEST — Downtown Syracuse will be the center of Syracuse Winterfest from Feb. 15 through Feb. 26. Check out this year’s ice creation at Clinton Square. For all the updated info on Winterfest events — the cook-offs, mix-offs, ice sculptures and more, check out syracusewinterfest.com.

WHAT‟S COOKING AT THORNDEN?

Members of the Thornden

Park Association will be cook-

ing up some fun and tasty chili

recipes at the Park’s Fieldhouse

on Feb. 18th, from 12 noon to

4 p.m. in this annual event. Proceeds from the

event support the Association’s work in the

park. Check out www.thorndenpark.org for

information on this event and this very active

organization.

LACE UP FOR LUNCH and spend your lunch hour on ice at Clinton Square with this lunchtime special rates — weekdays from 11

a..m. to 1:30 p.m., admission is $1.50 or $2.50 admission with a skate rental. Excludes school vacations.

THEME NIGHTS — Coming soon — the Theme Nights at Clinton Square Ice Rink on various Saturday evenings, with special admis-sion prices. Stay tuned for more info.

BATTER‟S UP — Softball registration for returning teams will be at Meachem Rink on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Returning and/or new teams can register on March 24th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Meachem Rink. Registration fee is $375, and includes a $110-refundable performance bond. For more information, call Joelle Dougherty at 473-4330, ext 3002.

Some local groups and individu-als partnered with the Parks Dept. this past holiday season to assist with programs and special

events for families throughout Central New

York, such as the Festival of Lights at Burnet Park, the Breakfast with Santa, and a holiday party at the Westmoreland Center. Special thanks to: Price Chopper, Friehofer’s, C&S Companies, Byrne Dairy, Deli-Boy, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Pensabene’s Casa Grande, Keller Williams Realty, Sue Brewer, Daniel Case, Nikki Cawley, Richie Collins, Joelle Dougherty, Britney Farmer, Jenna Godlewski, Kathleen Gratien, Diane Hunt,, Barb Kempf, Mike & Chris O’Brien, Brendan Sammon, Dan Macko, Seamus Barry and Matt Koziol.

AWARDS — The Parks Dept. was recently awarded the 2011 Outstanding Cooperator Award from the Cornell University Coopera-tive Extension for the support and commit-ment to the CommuniTree Steward Program, the Arbor Day Celebration and the Save the Rain Program.

CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Feb. 20 for President’s Day.

Neighborhood Tree Plantings A Success

PARKS POSTS

VISIT CITY PARKS, CENTERS, AND POOLS FOR YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

TAKE A WALK, JOG, OR RUN

Portion of the

Creekwalk

near Franklin

Square, and

example of

Creekwalk

signage

From top: Southwest Pool; Valley Pool;

Max Newman Pool at Nottingham High

School.

(continued from page 1)

The perimeter roads at Burnet, Onondaga, and Thornden Parks offer a variety of ter-rains for walkers, joggers, runners and cy-clists.

Burnet’s roadway is fairly flat, with some gently sloping stretches; Onondaga Park’s perimeter is well-marked for pedestrian traf-fic and is relatively flat with one hill by the old Firebarn.

For those looking for more of a challenge, Thornden Park’s main road has a few flat stretches and a couple of steep hills. Those who include the roundtops at these parks will be rewarded with some amazing vistas of the Syracuse skyline.

More and more people are taking advantage of the Creekwalk.

The 2.6-mile walk stretches from the bustle of downtown to the more natural surround-ings of the Inner Harbor and Onondaga Lake.

Beginning by the MOST in Armory Square, the walkway meanders by the Serpent public art sculpture and the revitalized area by the Syracuse University Warehouse, past Na-tional Grid, through the Franklin Square neighborhood, and across Spencer Street to the Parks & Recreation Department. From there, the walk goes across Kirkpatrick Street to the Inner Harbor area, crosses underneath the Bear Street overpass, wraps around the Hiawatha Boulevard overpass and then out to Onondaga Lake. Just follow the Creekwalk signs and the yellow line.

It may not be summer, but the city’s parks department still has some pools open.

The Southwest Pool and Valley Pool both offer adult lap and public swim at their facili-ties, with six 25-yard lanes and water heated to 84-86 degrees – a perfect way to take the winter chill off. Both have shallow and deep ends, wheelchair disabled accessible tiers and stairs.

Huntington School Pool in Eastwood is open for lap swim Valley Pool also offers early –morning lap swim from 7 to 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.

While the afternoon and evening lap and public swim sessions are free; there is a nominal fee for the early morning lap swim-ming at Valley. The entry fee is $3 or one ticket; ticket books are available at the pool for $135 for to tickets or $55 for 20 tickets.

Southwest Pool is located at 230 Lincoln Avenue at Clover Street, behind the South-west Community Center. Valley Pool is located behind Clary Middle School on Ami-don Drive off of West Seneca Turnpike.

In addition, the Max Newman Pool at Not-tingham High School offers early morning lap swim Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. in the 25-yard lap pool in the shal-low section. There is a fee of $3 per ses-

sion; and coupon books are available for $55 for 20 coupons and $125 for 50 coupons.

Water exercise programs are geared to improve flexibility and muscle tone and are offered at Southwest, Valley and Huntington Pools.

They are open to adults 16 years of age and older, and because they are held in the shallow end of the pools, no swimming skills are required. The fees are $35 for city residents and $60 for non-city residents. Water shoes are highly recommended.

The adult deep water aerobics also improve flexibility and muscle tone but with more impact. They are open to adults 16 years of age and older. Fees are $20 for city resi-dents and $35 for non-city residents, and students are required to have an exercise flotation belt.

Visit www.syracuse.ny.us/parks, click on the Divisions tab and then on the Aquatics tab for more information on schedules of classes and registration forms for the adult exercise programs and adult and children’s swim lessons.

CITY POOLS OFFER LAP AND PUBLIC SWIM HOURS

AND WATER EXERCISE CLASSES

Our friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension will be providing

recipes for tasty and nutritional dishes on a regular basis.

Kale Kielbasa Soup Kale, packed with vitamin A and C, gives this soup a real nutrition boost. It may not be as familiar as spinach, but it’s an equally good choice.

Wash kale leaves thoroughly. Center stalk of

kale is tough. Fold leaves in half to remove

stalk, then roll into tight cylinder and cut into

thin strips. Heat old in large pot (medium

heat). Add onions and garlic and sauté for 3-5

minutes. Add broth; for then roll into tight

cylinder and cut into thin strips. Heat oil in

large pot (med heat) salt, pepper, cayenne.

Cover and bring to boil. Add potatoes and

carrots; cover and return to boil. Uncover and

simmer 10-15 minutes. (add a little water if

soup cooks down too much) Add kale and

kielbasa to soup. Continue cooking 5 minutes.

Yields: 5 1-cup servings. Per serving: Calories:

120; Total Fat: 6g (Sat. Fat: 1.5g; Trans: 0); So-

dium: 420 mg; Total Carb: 12g (Fiber: 2g; Sugars:

2g); Protein: 4g; Vit A: 80% PDV; Vit C: 50% PDV

Ingredients

4 cups chicken broth 2 tsp vegetable oil

1 cup potato — washed, peeled and diced 1/4 tsp salt

1 cup carrot — washed, peeled and diced 1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 cup onion, chopped 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups chopped Kale (or 1/2 kale and 1/2 spinach)

1 cup kielbasa sausage, diced into bite-sized pieces fully cooked (or substitute cooked ham)

The Youth Recreation Division has a lot planned

for youth and families to enjoy. .

Teen Programs at Hamilton Street and Shonnard Street Boys and Girls Clubs will resume following the holiday break. Free drop-in recreation for teens. Shonnard: Monday-Friday 6pm-9pm. Hamil-ton Street: Monday-Thursday 6pm-9pm. Must show ID.

Instructional Ski Nights at Song Moun-tain– January 24, February 8. Departs after school. Great opportunity to try downhill skiing or snowboarding! $25 fee per trip includes Lift Pass, Lesson, and Rental ($15-lift pass only). Registration limited!

Have an Active Winter Break... Stay active outdoors when school’s out. Check

our website for updates and registration information. Activities to include:

Winter Adventure — Feb. 21, 2012 — a full day of adventure at Orneda Springs — $35

Skiing /Snowboarding at Song — Feb. 22, 2012 — 11a.mm to 4 p.m. $25 for lift ticket and rental / $15 for lift ticket only.

Also, Cross Country Skiing, Tubing, Ice Skat-ing and more!

„Cuse Spot at Wilson Park — Feb. 21 – 24. Sign up for a variety of sessions designed to keep the body and mind active while school is out! Past lessons have included cooking, art, poetry, dance, karate, digital DJ, chess, and more!

FIT Kids Program— Free, after school

wellness program designed to help kids burn energy while improving fitness levels and learning about healthy nutrition. Led by certified fitness instructors. Spring Session scheduled to begin Feb. 27t.

E-mail cabbott@ci.syracuse.ny.us for more information.

X-C Skiing at Sunnycrest — we’ll be ready when winter arrives! Trails open daily as conditions permit. Ski Lodge at Sunny-crest will be open on weekends and during the school break, for rentals and warmth! 10am-5pm. $5 for adult ski rentals.

Snowshoe Clinics at Sunnycrest — with Fleet Feet Syracuse. Scheduled for Saturdays, January 21, 28, February 4, and 11. 8 a.m. Free. Give it a try! Call for more information!

PLENTY OF FUN AND FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Held as the culminating event of the FIT Kids program, the 2nd annual Family Night invited program youth, along with family members, to the Magnarelli Center on Dec. 8, for games, healthy cooking classes, stun-ning demonstrations and more!

The event kicked off, literally, with a Syra-cuse Silver Knights Soccer Clinic.

Thanks to POMCO, all participants walked away with a new soccer ball!

Active games with fitness trainers; cooking with Cornell Cooperative Extension; Kung Fu demo with S. Bey; Dance performance with Young &Talented; door prizes.

Annual Family Night at Magnarelli Center is a Fit Hit

COMING THIS SPRING . . .

Skiddy Park, on the city’s Near Westside, is undergoing a makeover for the new year.

Due to be completed in the spring, the playground area will boast new playground equip-ment, and asphalt paving.

For the eighth time in its 10 year history, Henninger High School’s Black Knights were crowned Champions of the City’s Mayors Rof Technology and Faith Heritage Academy. Tech won 58-44.

Coach Erik Saroney and the Black Knights hoisted the Roundball Trophy following a 65-41 victory over a tough Corcoran High School team in the Tournament Finals, held Dec. 29 on the campus of LeMoyne College.

Led by Tommie Spinners’ 15 points, and tournament MVP Marquies Young’s double-double (14 points/15 rebounds) Henninger outscored Corcoran 37-20 in the second half to secure the 2011 Title.

In the Consolation Game, Nottingham de-feated Fowler 69 to 51.

And, a bonus contest held earlier in the eve-ning at LeMoyne featured Syracuse’s Institute

of Technology and Faith Heritage Academy. Tech won 58-44.

Earning All-Tournament honors for the 2011 Classic were Henry Sullivan (Corcoran), Wilquan Burke (Fowler), Tyquan Rolon (Nottingham), Mikell Clemons (Tech), and Kavon Delee (Henninger).

Also on championship night, the Syracuse City School District honored two individuals for their contributions to SCSD athletics and to the greater Syracuse community.

Former Nottingham High School student and NFL Super Bowl Champion Dorsey Levens received the Roundball Alumni award for his achievements as a standout athlete in the district, and for his ongoing commitment to the young people of Syracuse. Receiving the annual ―6th Man Award‖ was former Parks Commissioner Patrick Driscoll, a ―founding father‖ of the Mayor’s Roundball Classic.

Pat’s vision and leadership as Parks Commis-sioner helped create and nurture countless opportunities for young people to engage in safe, positive leisure-time pursuits in the City.

For a decade, the Mayor’s Roundball has showcased the athletic abilities of student athletes in the city and the dedication and commitment of City School coaches, adminis-trators, and, indeed, family and fans. Near-capacity crowds sending positive, spirited cheers from all angles, just drives the point home…In the Syracuse City School District, ―It’s All About Pride‖.

Proceeds from 10 years of the Roundball Classics have gone to support scholastic sports programs in each of the City High Schools, in the form of dedicated funds for athletic equipment, uniforms and other sup-plies. To date, the tournament has raised more than $75,000 for the schools.

Henninger Crowned 2011 Mayor‟s Roundball Champs

IN THE NEXT ISSUE:

Updates on capital improvement

projects

The spring and summer heat up with

activities for you, your family and

friends.

Any story ideas or info for calendars,

please email mroach@ci.syracuse.ny.us.

If you do not wish to receive this newslet-

ter, please email: bives@ci.syracuse.ny.us,

and we will delete you from the mailing

list.

Photos by

Rocco Carbone;

story by Chris

Abbott