parks perspectives

PARKS PERSPECTIVES
February 2014 Issue
PARKS DEPT. CAN HELP WITH NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
If one of your new year’s resolutions was to be more active and/or eat healthier,
let Syracuse Parks help.
Between its facilities and programs, the Department offers wonderful opportunities
to help meet your goals. On the next few pages, there is information on the ice
skating rinks, cross-country ski trails, swim programs, a Yoga class, and a recipes
from Cornell Cooperative Extension.
FLURRY OF FUN IN FEBRUARY
February is full of fun events for your family and friends.
SKATING
The free skating program at Clinton Square will wrap up on Monday, Jan. 27. Admission is free from
5 to 8 p.m., through support from Total Care, A Today’s Options of New York Health Plan, The
promotion began on Jan. 13 and has met with much success. While admission is free; skate rental
fees still apply.
Clear Channel radio stations return with their Theme Nights at the Clinton Square Ice Rink from late January through February.
Skaters are encouraged to dress according to each night’s theme of each evening: Jan. 31 — Boot, Scoot and Skate; Feb. 7 —
the Big 80s; Feb. 14 — Soul on Ice; Feb. 21 — Orange on Ice; and Feb. 28 — Hot 107.9 Dance and Skate. Regular admission
applies.
BOWLING YOU OVER AT THORNDEN PARK
The 2014 Thornden Park Association’s annual Chili Bowl Festival is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 8 from noon to 3 p.m. in the park’s
Field House, adjacent to the football field. Over 120 quarts of delicious ‘from scratch’ chilies are prepared by volunteers in the
Field House’s Four different varieties of chili are sold in individual bowls, or sample platters that include smaller portions of all
four varieties. Other menu items include corn bread and home brewed root beer.
Earlier that day, the Central New York Disc Golf Association will run the Ice Bowl — a disc golf tournament — in Thornden
Park. Eighteen temporary baskets are set up throughout the park, and players throw frisbees at these targets from designated tees. All proceeds from the event benefit The Salvation Army's Food Pantry. Registration is at the field house from 8:30
to 9:30 a.m. with play starting at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $20 and three cans of non-perishable food
Stephanie A. Miner, Mayor
City of Syracuse Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs
Baye Muhammad, Commissioner
412 Spencer St.
John Walsh, Deputy Commissioner
Syracuse, New York 13204
Home for the Holidays
Downtown Syracuse was decked out in its holiday finest as the City ushered in the 2013 Holiday season in Clinton Square on Nov. 29. But
while the Tree, aglow with more than 17,000 LED lights, is always the centerpiece to the celebration, this year’s activities included a little extra. Emceed by Y94’s Kathy Rowe and Shannon, the program kicked off with local musical duo Joey Nigro and husband Jon Nilsen. New
to the entertainment lineup was the band Brownskin, which delighted audiences with their contemporary versions of some holiday
standards. Santa and Mrs. Claus made a loop around the ice rink atop
a bright red pickup truck. And together with Santa and Mrs. Claus,
Police Chief Frank Fowler and Fire Chief Paul Linnertz, Mayor Stephanie Miner brought up the three winners of her essay contest — Zoey
Barrington, Santina Rivera and Jonelle Robinson — all lit the 50-foot
tree. But despite the tree’s lights, the spotlight was on Todd Emmons
as he proposed to Megan Prosser. She said YES!
SPECIAL EVENTS
in
FLURRY
OF FEBRUARY FUN
IN CITY PARKS
City parks are joining in the Winterfest fun by offering activities for
families to enjoy in our parks during the week of Feb. 17.
MAKING TRACKS
Syracuse Winterfest returns with more than a
week’s worth of events planned from Feb. 13 to
23. www.syracusewinterfest.com.
Making Holiday Season
A Little Brighter
The Special Events Division, together with some
very generous partners and volunteers, were able
to offer a number of holiday programs for families
throughout Central New York.
More than 400 people enjoyed Breakfast with
Santa, held in early December, at Pensabene’s
Casa Grande Restaurant. Elves were busy in the
kitchen scrambling eggs, cooking sausage and
flipping pancakes, while the All-Star Band entertained with holiday music.
Much thanks to Price Chopper; Byrne Dairy; DeliBoy; Total Care , A Today’s Options of New York
Health Plan; Valley Men’s Club; the Ancient Order
of Hibernians; Mike & Chris O’Brien; Richie Collins;
Billy Gleason; Tom White; Joe Burns; Britney
Farmer; Nikki Cawley; Suzi Brewer; Pat Macko,
and Joe Payette.
For three nights in December, several hundred
people from all over the area got on board and
enjoyed horse-drawn wagon rides at the Festival of Lights. The wagons wound through
some of the roads at Burnet Park, vividly decorated by the city’s electricians. The rides culminated with visits to “The North Pole,” where Santa waited to hear the holiday wishes from all the
kids — and maybe some adults too.
Again, our thanks to Price Chopper and Total
Care , A Today’s Options of New York Health
Plan for helping to support this event.
Make Tracks to Onondaga Park’s Firebarn and
join Baltimore Woods Nature Center on Mon.,
Feb. 17, to learn how to read the clues animals
leave behind to solve the mystery of how they
spend the winter. Then test your new skills outside!
Take home a track so you can remember the fun.
After this wintery adventure warm up back at the
Fire Barn for Story Hour! Programs are for children 5 and up. (Due to limited supplies and the
outside hike, this activity is not suitable for younger siblings.)
10:30-11:30 am: Making Tracks; 11:30 am -12:30 pm: Story
Hour. Free Program; no registration required.
UGLY SWEATER CONTEST ON ICE
Don’t give away those ugly sweaters just yet.
Join the fun at an Ugly Sweater Contest at
Meachem Rink on Wed., Feb. 19 presented by
the Parks Department, along with the Meachem
Area Parks Association. The Party starts at 1
p.m., and judging will be concluded by 2 p.m.
Free to enter. Free admission to the rink. Funny prizes awarded to adults, children and teams
for the most creative and colorful sweaters. So
bring your kids, friends, and co-workers and join
in the fun.
SNOW SCULPTURE CONTEST
Families and friends are invited to take part in
a snow sculpture contest at Kirk Park on the
city’s south side on Thurs., Feb. 20, from 1:30
to 3:30 p.m. Fun prizes for the most creative
sculptures. Of course, this is weather permitting.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Thornden Park will once again host
the Special Olympics’ Snowshoeing
Competition on Sat., Feb. 22, at the
football field. Come out and
cheer these amazing athletes.
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS
Spreading Holiday Cheer
The seniors at the Magnarelli Center have set a new
record in their food collection drive for the Interreligious
Food Consortium..
According to IRC executive director Michele Jordan, the
seniors donated 136 pounds of food. This is the largest amount donated in the three years that the center
has been conducting the drive, said Tom White, center
director.
FITNESS, FIELD TRIPS AND
MORE AT CENTERS
Syracuse seniors can enjoy a variety of activities at the
Parks Department’s senior centers, including fitness
classes, daily lunch programs, Day trips to Skaneateles, Auburn and Syracuse Stage are also offered, along
with special holiday music programs.
For more info, call:
Magnarelli Center — 473-2673 — Tom White, Director
Cecile Center — 473-2678 — Nikki Cawley, Director
Some special guests showed up at the Magnarelli Center at McChesney Park during its holiday party in December. Santa Claus (Joe Zella), Mrs. Claus (Mimi
Pavetto), and Santa’s Elf (Ellie O’Connor)
AQUATICS
Variety of Swim Programs Offered
The temperatures outside might be chilly, but the water at City three indoor pools provides a nice warm spot be this
winter.
Jump in and take advantage of one or more of the
many programs offered by the Department’s
Aquatics Division at Southwest, Valley or Huntington Pools.
Lessons for both children and adults, water exercises classes for adults, open and law swim, lifeguard training, pre-competitive swim team — the
Parks Department offers them all.
For a list of the programs and pool schedules, go
to www.syracuse.ny.us/parks; click on the Divisions tab and choose Aquatics from the pull-down
menu.
THE RESULTS ARE IN
A crisp but dry autumn morning served as the backdrop for
the 7th annual Eastwood Park to Park Run, held on October
27. As it has since 2009, Eastwood’s five challenging miles
along colorful, tree-lined streets and into Sunnycrest Park,
served as the final leg of SYRATHON… the annual Foot
Race tour of Syracuse neighborhoods and City Parks.
Among the 373 finishers of the Eastwood Run were dozens
that crossed the finish line with a heightened sense of accomplishment, as they achieved, with these five miles, the status
of 2013 Syrathoner or UltraSyrathoner!
Syrathon 2013 saw a total of 176 people set and meet the program goal of running their own, personal marathon over the
course of eight series races and spanning all of Central New York’s seasons. Of that group of 175, 55 raced all of the possible
42.5 miles to join the ranks of UltraSyrathoner. Beginning with the Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run back in March, and continuing
on with the Mountain Goat, Paige’s Butterfly Run, Valley Run, Inner Harbor Run, Strathmore Run, Run For their Life, and concluding in Eastwood, all Syrathoners committed to a year of fitness, while taking in the sights and sounds of life in the City of Syracuse.
Syrathon has begun a team/business competition called Business Syrathon, and National Grid took first place with registering 50
people.
"National Grid is proud to participate in Syrathon and to promote health and wellness in the workplace," said Melanie Littlejohn,
National Grid regional executive of Central New York. "There is no better way to give back to the community and experience the
City of Syracuse and its parks system than by foot! Congratulations to the National Grid team and some 50 employees that participated and logged over 500 miles to win the tour's first ever business category."
With generous support provided by Fleet Feet Syracuse, Saucony, the Syracuse New Times, and new medal sponsor , The
C&S Companies, and through the hard work and dedication of 8 terrific race committees, the Syrathon Challenge continues to
encourage healthful physical activity year-round through road racing, while shining the spotlight on a host of Syracuse city parks
and neighborhoods. Special thanks go out to the staff at Fleet Feet for being present at each of the Syrathon races to promote
the challenge, provide loads of encouragement, and coordinate the cool prize giveaways!
ULTRA SYRATHONERS! Congratulations to the following individuals for completing ALL EIGHT Syrathon Races in 2013, and
covering every inch of the possible 42.5 series miles… This includes, or course, tackling both the 15K Run For Their Life
Course and the legendary 10 Mile Mountain Goat! Well Done! Oh yea… you CRUSHED it!
T.
H.
First Name
Last Name
City
MG
PB
VNC
Renee
Affinati
W.Monroe
4
10
3.1
4
Susan
Allington
N.Syracuse
4
10
3.1
Thomas
Beeman
Fulton
4
10
Lauren
Berkun
Liverpool
4
10
Michelle
Blair
Clay
4
Melissa
Bova
Pheonix
Tina
Dan
Bowman
Capeling
Syracuse
Bridgeport
IH
Stra
RFTL
EWD
Total
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
4
10
10
3.1
3.1
4
4
3.1
3.1
4
4
9.3
9.3
5
5
42.5
42.5
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
FINISHERS (CONTINUED)
T.
H.
MG
Stra
RFT
L
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Fingerman
Liverpool
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Karen
Gentile
E. Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Lisa
Gordon
Brockport
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Stephen
Gordon
Bergen
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Tim
Gordon
Brockport
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Justin
Halsey
Pulaski
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Elaine
Henning
Liverpool
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Stephanie
Johnson
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Kevin
Karoglanian
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Karen
Keller
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Todd
Keller
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Zack
Kelley
Manlius
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Jerry
Kessler
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Michelle
Kinsman
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Anne
Lenox
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Jane
Magari
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Michael
Malloy
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
James
Maxwell
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Brad
Merle
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Beth
Montague
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Heather
Nelson
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Wendy
Newman
DeWitt
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Derek
Ostrowski
Weedsport
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Jennifer
Ostrowski
Weedsport
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Mark
Person
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Todd
Robertson
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Arthur
Schoen
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
William
Scott
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Amy
Smithee
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Robyn
Adison
Taft-Smith
Tennant
N.Syracuse
Syracuse
4
4
10
10
3.1
3.1
4
4
3.1
3.1
4
4
9.3
9.3
5
5
42.5
42.5
Lisa
Walden
Liverpool
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Jamie
Wallace
B'ville
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Rachel
Watkins
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Dan
Whitman
Weedsport
4
10
3.1
4
3.1
4
9.3
5
42.5
Tammy
Stephen
Whitman
Younis
Weedsport
Syracuse
4
4
10
10
3.1
3.1
4
4
3.1
3.1
4
4
9.3
9.3
5
5
42.5
42.5
PB
VN
C
First Name
Last Name
City
Megan
Connors
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
4
John
Crowley
Cicero
4
10
3.1
Shannon
David
Syracuse
4
10
3.1
SCOTT
DAViSON
SYRACUSE
4
10
Dylan
Desimone
Cicero
4
Anita
Everts
Liverpool
Brandi
Ferrini
B'ville
John
Ferrini
Jason
IH
EW
D
Total
YOUTH RECREATION
YOUTH FROM CENTERS
MEET CRUNCH, SILVER
KNIGHT PLAYERS
In early December, participants in City Parks afterschool programs had the opportunity to learn and
play with members of TWO of our local professional
sports teams. — the Syracuse Crunch and the Syracuse Silver Knights! Members of both professional outfits took time out of their busy in-season
schedules to spend a few hours with our city’s
young people, imparting great lessons in both sport
and life!
On December 3, dozens of youth joined several Syracuse Crunch players and staff, as well as local
Learn to Skate instructors for an evening of lessons
and skating on the War Memorial Ice. Thanks to
the generosity of the Crunch, our young people had
the incredible opportunity to skate on the very same
ice as our local pros! The Crunch also treated their
guests to pizza and autographed Crunch paraphernalia! A second Crunch clinic is scheduled for February!
Two days later, at the Parks Department’s annual
Family Fitness and Fun night, nearly 100 youth and
family members juggled and juked their way
through a Soccer Clinic hosted by the Syracuse Silver Knights! For the 3rd year, Coach Tommy Tanner
and his entire Silver Knight squad visited the Magnarelli Center at McChesney Park. The pro players
demonstrated some high-level skills before running
all participants through fun drills. Coach Tanner also left the youth with very important messages
about life and learning…and an offer to join the Silver Knights in the stands for an upcoming game!
The City extends its deepest gratitude to our local
professional athletes and coaches for creating truly memorable experiences for our young people,
and for being such an important part of our community. The City Parks Department congratulates
the Crunch and the Silver Knights for their successes both on AND off the playing surface!
ICE SKATING AND X-COUNTRY SKIING
SKATE, SKI OR SNOWSHOE IN SYRACUSE PARKS THIS WINTER
The City boasts three ice rinks — at Clinton Square, Sunnycrest and Meachem.
Check out our website to check the hours, admission fees, how to host a birthday
party at one of the rinks, and directions to the venues. www.syracuse.ny.us/
parks and click on Clinton Square Ice Rink for more information.
Sunnycrest also hast 2.5 miles of trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. When enough snow blankets the park, the trails bring skiers along a loop
that includes Sunnycrest Golf Course and some wooded areas. Great exercise for
the entire family! The clubhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
and Sundays, as weather permits.
The weekly schedule for the Bill Koch Youth Ski Club is Sundays at 1:30 to 2:45
p.m.
DOG CONTROL
Syracuse Dog Control Officer, Police Dept. Make Daring Dog Rescue
Dog control officer Jason Driscoll arrived early to the Parks offices one
December morning and got a call about a dog that had been trapped
along the edge of the cold, fast waters of Onondaga Creek, near Ballantyne and Conan Streets.
The Dog Control Office is a division of the Syracuse Parks Dept.
As he tried to wend his way through traffic to get to the site, Driscoll
was able to reach some Syracuse Police Officers in that area for assistance.
They located the terrified Terrier mix at the bottom of a steep hill right
at the edge of the creek.
Driscoll and the police cut a hole in the creek fence, and Driscoll said
he crawled head first down the slippery embankment, with the police
officers holding onto his feet. If he had gone down feet-first, he said,
he was afraid he’d frighten the dog even more than it already was, and
it might leap into the waters.
Casper, a black Terrier mix, was found
trapped along the waters of Onondaga
Creek in December, but was rescued by Syracuse Dog Control Officer Jason Driscoll,
with help from the Syracuse Police Dept.
Unsure he was going to be able to make this rescue, Driscoll said that
the cops positioned themselves down the creek in order to retrieve the
dog should it panic and jump into the water.
However, Driscoll was indeed successful in the rescue, and was able
to grab the dog, which they learned is named Casper, and bring it to
safety. Casper was still shaken up, and Driscoll transported him to
the DeWitt Animal Hospital. He was returned to his owner the following day.
YOU AND YOGA THIS WINTER
Add some camels and cobras to your Mondays in January and
February. You can learn these and other poses during the yoga
classes being offered beginning on Jan. 13, at the Onondaga Park
Firebarn. Liz Petrone , RYT-200, is the instructor.
The classes will run from 5:30 to 6:30 from Jan. 13 through Feb.
17. The fee is $35 for all sessions. The class is limited to 15
participants. Pre-registration is recommended. Download a form
from our website, http://www.syrgov.net/parks/
FitnessAndWellness.html , and sending to the Parks Office… Attn:
Yoga (412 Spencer Street, Syracuse, NY 13204). Registration will
be accepted on site, only as space permits.
Recipe provided by:
HEALTHY EATING
Black Bean Chilaquile
(Makes one 8-inch casserole, four 1-cup servings)
The Mexican chilaquile (chee-lah-KEElehs) dish began as a way to use leftovers, especially stale tortillas. A popular adaptation is a lasagna-type casserole with layers of tortillas, cheese, tomatoes, beans and vegetables. This
recipe is just a basic guideline for your
own creativity. You can use corn or
flour tortillas and any combination of
vegetables, cheeses, meats, and seasonings. The beans and spinach give
this easy to make casserole a real nutrition boost. It’s a pretty tasty way to eat your veggies.
Ingredients
1 cup black beans
½ cup onion
1 cup diced tomatoes
6 tortillas
1 cup canned corn
1 cup chopped spinach
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
½ cup salsa
½ teaspoon pepper
4ounces (1/2cup grated) reduced fat cheese
To Prepare
1.Preheat oven to 400°f. 2. Drain and rinse both the black beans and the corn. Thaw
and drain spinach. Peel and chop onion. Peel and mince garlic. 3. Heat oil over medium
high heat in saucepan or skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3-5 minutes. 4. Stir in black
beans, corn, spinach, tomatoes, salsa, and black pepper; simmer 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend mixture. 5. Cut tortillas into strips or tear into pieces. Grate
cheese. 6. Lightly oil an 8-inch baking dish and start assembling in layers: half the tortilla pieces; half the bean mixture; and half the cheese; repeat with a second layer. 7.
Bake 20-25 minutes. Check after 15 minutes and cover with aluminum foil, if needed to
prevent burning. The casserole is done when center is hot and flavors are blended.