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: abbottc@ci.syracuse.ny.us.

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

bfarmer@ci.syracuse.ny.us.

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)