Mayor Walsh Announces Plans for Over $1.2 Million in Park Upgrades

Published on May 04, 2023

Mayor Ben Walsh announced significant park improvements planned for seven Northside parks and six Southside parks. The Department of Parks & Recreation identified projects through several in-person engagement meetings and hundreds of surveys collected this past spring, summer, and fall.

“Investing in our parks creates happy and healthier communities,” said Mayor Walsh. “The research supports this, and we witness it every day. We are grateful for the assistance from the Common Council and our State and federal partners, and we appreciate the support and engagement from the community.” 

The City allocated $550,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to be invested in Northside parks for projects determined based on feedback from the community as well as for a Veterans memorial in Kirk Park. An additional $15,000 from the Reisman Foundation and $67,500 from the Central New York Community Foundation via TNT will be used for the replacement of Washington Square Park’s spray feature. $400,000 of capital project funds will be used to cover remaining costs. 

Southside Parks projects include: 

• Playground upgrades at Baker Playlot for ages 5-12, located at 213 Baker Ave, 13205 

• Playground enhancements at the Southwest Community Center, located at 401 South Ave, 13204  
• Playground additions at Spirit of Jubilee Park, located at 201 South Ave, 13204 
• A new picnic pavilion will be erected at McKinley Park, located at 351 W. Newell Street, 13205 
• New sidewalks around the perimeter of Danforth Park, located at 230 E. Kennedy Street, 13205 

• A Veterans memorial in Kirk Park, located at 439 Kirk Ave, 13205 

Northside Parks projects include: 

• A splashpad reconstruction for Washington Square Park, located at 101 Washington Square,   13208. The splash pad will include one vertical spray and multiple ground sprays. New bleachers will be installed at the existing basketball courts.  
• A new two-bay swing set replacement for Union Park, located at 1001 N. Salina Street, 13208, along with the installation of new bench coverings on the southeast side of the park.  
• The construction of a multi-purpose events stage at Demong Park, located at 300 Kirkpatrick Street, 13208.  
• A Miracle Alta Inclusive Glider and two new shade structures for Clinton Playlot, located at 399 North Crouse Ave, 13203.  

• The installation of several outdoor fitness stations for McChesney Park, located at 2308 Grant Boulevard, 13208.  

All projects are expected to be completed by fall 2024, based on weather and contractor availability.  

The department is proposing the re-use of existing fencing at Lincoln Park, located at 100 Robinson Street, 13203, to support a new fully enclosed dog park on the old baseball field. Neighbors are encouraged to email comments and questions to Parksplanning@syr.gov by Friday, May 12, 2023.  

Additionally, forest restoration work at Schiller Park will continue throughout 2023. Invasive trees and shrubs will be removed on the northside of the drumlin as well as on the hills up from the Bova Community Center. Buckthorn specifically is so dense and widespread that no new regeneration is occurring. Once removed, the Onondaga Earth Corps will replant with trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. This project is funded by a $250,000 Dormitory Authority of the State of New York grant, made possible by Assembly William Magnarelli, in addition to Parks’ capital funds.  

Learn more about the Northside park engagement at syr.gov/2022northsideparksengagemement and the Southside park engagement syr.gov/2022southsideparksengagement, or follow us on FB for updates. 

For more information about the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs visit syracuse.recdesk.com or call (315) 473-4330.