PARKS PERSPECTIVES May-June 2012 — Issue #5 SU’S MAXWELL SCHOOL, MERCY WORKS MAKE DONATIONS TO CENTERS

The City Parks Department received significant donations for two of its community centers recently.

Mercy Works donated $1000 to the Seals Community Center at Kirk Park, as part of its "Day of Giving" in the Community. The donation will go toward the purchase of games and equipment for the Seals After School Program.

Youth from Kirk Park, under the lead- ership of center director Denise Moore, have been regular participants in community programs offered through Mercy Works, including its popular Teen Tech program.

The Public Affairs program from ’s Maxwell School donated $630 worth of refur- bished computer equipment to Wilson Park Community Center. This effort was coordinated by Jessica Wilkerson, a Policy Studies and Com- puter Science major at SU. ZUMBA CLASSES START AT She is looking to expand the initiative CECILE CENTER to include additional computers for more recreation centers, and volun- Zumba, the Latin dance- teer support service from SU com- inspired fitness program puter science students. These stu- that has swept the country, dents would address any computer has come to the Cecile issues and lead educational sessions Center in the Valley for youth and staff. neighborhood of Syracuse for an eight-week program. In the photo at top, representatives Instructors from the Pulse Fitness Studio will from Mercy Works present a check lead the one-hour classes, from 6 to 7 p.m. on to Parks Commissioner Baye Mu- Tuesdays, from May 1 to June 19. hammad. From left are: Deputy Commissioner John D. Walsh, The $35 fee is for all sessions for those who Sheila Jones, from the Seals Center pre-register. Those that drop in, the fee is $5 recreation staff; Commissioner Mu- per class. To register, visit hammad, Seals Center Director www.syracuse.ny.us/parks or call 473-4330. Denise Moore; Pastor John Carter, Gina Rivers, and Clarence Jordan, This is just one of an ever-growing list of fit- all from Mercy Works. In the two ness initiatives through the Parks Dept. For photos at left, children from the more information on water aerobics, lap Wilson Community Center enjoy , senior exercise programs, etc., computers, a gift from Syracuse visit the parks website. University’s Maxwell School.

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 SPECIAL EVENTS MAY AND JUNE ARE BURSTING WITH EVENTS DOWNTOWN AND IN CITY

Juneteenth Memorial Day Returns Concert to Clinton This special concert, by the Square Stan Colella Orchestra, is a on Sat., June 16 poignant expression of our gratitude to our troops and veterans for their service to A premier African American celebration for Syracuse our country, and a moving tribute to our fallen heroes. and Central , Juneteenth is a positive plat- The free concert will be from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Sun., form for encouraging acceptance of diversity and Courses Open May 27, at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St. Me- offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of dia support provided by B104.7. the sacrifices and challenges African Americans The 9-hole courses at Burnet and Sunnycrest endured to achieve freedom. Free admission. For Parks are open for the season on May 1. So more information, visit www.syracusejuneteenth.org give the game your best shot. Appetizing Taste of Syracuse or call (315) 422-9400. The AmeriCU Credit Union Taste of Syracuse, pre- sented by Tops, returns to downtown, from 11 a.m. to “Reel” Fun at Derby 11 p.m. featuring three stages of live music, fabulous Strathmore Festival Enjoy the eclectic mix of art and architecture by tour- Children, up to the age of 16, food, and of course $1 samples. It’s two days of great ing this beautiful neighborhood with the picturesque can reel in some fish music and fun for everyone. Visit Onondaga Park and Hiawatha Lake in its midst. The and maybe hook some prizes www.tasteofsyracuse.com for updated information, event will be held on Sat., June 16, throughout the during the annual Hiawatha music schedules and more. Call (315) 471-9597 for Strathmore neighborhood, including Onondaga Park Lake Fishing Derby, on for questions. and its renovated Firebarn. For more information on May 12 at Onondaga Park’s Hiawatha Lake in the specific events, visit www.strathmorebythepark.org. City’s Strathmore neighborhood. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in three age categories for the Syracuse Polish Festival Rose Day biggest fish caught, and for the overall smallest fish. Enjoy Polish culture, the music, dance and food dur- ing this 58th annual festival, at from The Syracuse Rose Society will host its annual Participants can begin registering at 8 a.m. that day at Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, headlined by Rose Day on Wed., June 20, from 12 noon to 3 the City’s Bandwagon, by Roberts Avenue. The Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr. For more information, p.m. at the E.M. Mills Rose awards ceremony is about 12 noon. visit www.polishscholarshipfund.com. Garden at . The nationally-renowned Admission and registration are free. The Derby is Garden is a tribute to the presented with assistance from Price Chopper and Syracuse Soap Box amazing volunteer efforts of the Anglers Association of Onondaga County. Derby the members of the Rose So- Youth ages 8 to 17 will com- ciety. pete in the local Soap Box Bike Race Returns to Derby championships to New Brewfest Tapped at Clinton Square Onondaga Park qualify to race in the All- Galaxy Communications presents the Summer The Criterium, part of Tour American Soap Box Derby in Brewfest at Clinton Square on Friday, June 22. de Syracuse, returns to Akron, OH later this summer. Free admission for all For more information, visit Onondaga Park on Sat., spectators. Visit www.syracusesoapboxderby.org for www.galaxycommunications.com more information. May 19. This excitement- filled event has cyclists racing around the park at 30mph or more. New Shakespeare Check out www.tourdesyracuse.com for more Downtown Farmers Market Program at Thornden information Blooms Again The Syracuse Shakespeare On Tuesdays, from June 12 to Oct. 9, from 7 Festival is presenting the a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 50 farmers and pro- Shakespearean history Downtown Living Tour duce dealers will set up at Clinton Square to play, Henry IV, Part 1, in Come see downtown's finest examples of urban offer fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruit, nuts, the grassy area in the heart living from noon to 6 p.m. on Sat., May 19 — eggs, cheese, baked goods, flowers, plants, of the Thornden Park Amphitheatre, where and learn what downtown living is all about! handcrafted items for sale. Some weeks the seating allows audiences to be right up on all

market hosts live entertainment. Visit the action. Showtimes are: 5:30 p.m. On Fri., For more information, call 422-8284 or visit www.downtownsyracuse.com/farmersmarket June 22, Sat., June 23, Fri., June 29, Sat., June www.downtownsyracuse.com/downtownliving- for more information or call 422-8284. 30, and 2 p.m., Sun., June 24. tour.

BIG RIG DAY A BIG HIT

Thank you to the city departments and the area companies and volun- teers that helped to make this year’s Big Rig Day, held on April 28, successful. An estimated 500 people visited that afternoon, checking out the trucks — and the horns!! THE DEPARTMENTS OF AVIATION, PUBLIC WORKS, FIRE, WATER AND POLICE; C&S COMPANIES; PRICE CHOPPER; BALLARD CONSTRUCTION; CRITZ FARMS; DOT FOODS; J.J. LANE; LAN- CO; ONONDAGA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT; RICCELLI; RURAL METRO; SAUNDERS CONCRETE; YNN; REBEL 105 AND LAMAR ADVERTISING. AND OUR VOLUNTEERS CHRIS O’BRIEN AND SUE BREWER.

PARKS MARKS OLDER AMERICANS We Want To Hear MONTH From You The City Parks Department

celebrates all of our senior As you enter the walkway that leads citizens every day, but espe- from the Parks Dept. parking lot to cially during the month of the front entrance, take notice of the May — Older Americans new Suggestion Box that has been Month. installed.

We want to hear from you with ideas The annual Silver and Gold in ongoing efforts to improve our Gala was held on May 9 at the Pensabene’s Casa Grande, where mem- programs and activities. The outside bers from the Magnarelli Center, the Westside Center and the Bob location of the Suggestion Box pro- Cecile Center danced to the music of Fritz’s Polka Band and enjoyed vides you with anonymity. a great meal prepared by the Valley Men’s Club. Much thanks to the Valley Men’s Club and the Pensabene family.

Find us on The Senior Centers offer a variety of exercise classes, lunches, musi- cal entertainment and activities on a year-round basis, from Bingo to Zumba Gold.

Each of the three centers has different programming, so check out our Syracuse Parks is now on Facebook! website and find the activities that most appeal to you. Go to www.syracuse.ny.us/parks. Click on the Divisions tab, and from the https:www.facebook.com/pages/Syracuse- pull-down menu, select Senior Recreation Programs. And for those who enjoy swimming, make sure to look into the adult lap swim hours Parks-Rec/195139583938561 and the water exercises classes available. From the Divisions tab on our webpage, click on Aquatics and click on the pool of your choice.

CAMPS, CLINICS AND COMPETITIONS FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Whether it’s , , soccer, or baseball your child might be camp registration form, available on our website. interested in, the Youth Recreation Division probably has a program they can join in. Summer Sport Camps: Register today for the following sports camps in the City. $40 per week (city); includes lunch, transportation, and t- Youth Tennis Clinics at Barry Park -- Fridays, through May 25. shirt. Each camp runs Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. Ages 8-13. 3:30pm. Instruction provided by CNYTA. $20 includes all sessions

July 9th – 13th: Soccer Camp at Sunnycrest Park July 16th – 20th: Basketball Camp at Henninger High School Pitch Hit and Run Competition — free baseball skills competition for July 30th – Aug. 3rd: Multi Sport Camp at Burnet Park youth. Winners can advance to regional and national competitions. Reg- ister on-site with a parent. At Westmoreland Park on May 8th, 4pm. Call 473-4330, ext. 3019 for information! Tennis Clinics: Offered every week during the summer at various sites. Each session operates Monday –Friday 9am – 12pm. $25 per week Syracuse R.B.I. Summer Baseball Program – Administered by the (city). Instruction provided by the CNY Tennis Association. Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Registration Dates for Jr. Division July 9th-13th; 16th – 20th; and Aug. 6th – 10th at Sunnycrest Park courts. (Age 6-12): Saturdays May 19, 26, and June 9, Noon – 3pm, at the July 23rd – 27th: Meachem Field courts Shonnard Street Club. Free for Jr. Division! Registration for Sr Division July 30th – August 3rd: Barry Park courts (age 13-15): Wednesdays June 6, 13, and 27, 6pm-9pm, at the Shonnard Street Club. $10 fee per player FIT Kids Continues

Free after school fitness program with certified instructors! Children ACTION Summer Basketball League - at the Magnarelli Center at may still register. Contact Chris at 473-4330 ext 3019 for information. McChesney Park. Games on Thursday nights beginning June 14th. Reg- The program is held at 4:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Kirk istration Night / Open Clinic is May 31st, 6pm. Open to youth 13-15 yrs. Park, and at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ed Smith $20 per city resident / $40 per non city. Also, may pre-register using

Another successful session of Shooting For A’s concluded on April 26, after 12 girls from City recreation centers spent 4 afternoons in “Shooting For A’s” is a Slam Dunk and around the amazing facilities of the Carmello Anthony Center at Syracuse University, alongside student-athletes and athletic depart- ment staff.

For more than a decade, the program has brought city youth together with student-athletes from a number of sports for both athletic and educational activities.

SU’s Kevin Wall worked closely with the athletes and with Parks and Recreation Supervisor Kathleen Gratien, to coordinate a weekly schedule that promoted both academic achievement and healthful physical activity. The student athletes then led the activities, and con- cluded each afternoon with some pizza and a chat session… an in- credibly valuable experience for our young people.

Great thanks to SU Athletics! Barbara Grimes Honored by Local City Youth Cheer on the NANBPWC Chapter Crunch From the volume of the cheers, the Barbara Grimes youth and staff from City Parks

with employee recreation centers clearly helped the Aaron Patterson Hockey Team on at the Wilson to a 5-1 victory over Binghamton

Community on the night of April 4, which, Center in turn, propelled them onto the Calder Cup Playoffs!

But the Crunch and Syracuse Learn-To-Skate deserve credit for their efforts in the community, which included the City Parks Department’s free Ice Skating Clinic for Youth. The City Parks Department congratulates Barbara Grimes, long time Volunteers from Learn-To-Skate, along with Crunch players, helped director of the Wilson Park Community Center, on her designation as a more than 20 youth from City recreation centers conquer the ice at 2012 Community Honoree by the National Association of Negro Busi- Meachem Rink on Feb. 28. McKie’s Sports provided brand new ness and Professional Women's Club Beta Psi Club Chapter at Syracuse hockey helmets for safety, and Sunny-D supplied refreshments. Skate nd University. Mrs. Grimes was honored on March 25, at the 22 Annual clinic participants were overjoyed to then receive tickets to a game to Tribute to the African American Woman, held on the campus of Syra- see, firsthand, how the Crunch put their skate skills to the test. cuse University. Great thanks to all program sponsors!

Mrs. Grimes was recognized for her ongoing devotion to the children at Wilson Park and for working tirelessly, for more than a decade, to help SU Volunteers Bring Art Program to Center build and nurture a wonderful collaboration between Wilson Park and SU’s Public Policy class, led by Professor William Coplin and Michelle Walker. This collaboration has led to countless hours of volunteer service by SU students in the form of tutoring and mentoring, computer lab activities, week-long school break programs, and a variety of enrich- ment classes, such as language classes, CPR, environmental science, and Karate. Parks is proud to have Barbara Grimes on board!

Broccoli & Black Bean Quesadillas Great source of protein and fiber

1 cup chopped broccoli 1/4 cup salsa 1 cup canned black beans 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar four 8-inch whole wheat tortillas cheese Volunteer Stephanie Boyle, second from left, shows off her piñata Drain, rinse and mash beans in mixing bowl. Wash, chop and cook broccoli with the smA.R.T. students (microwave in covered bowl, with a few drops of water,2 min or until crisp- tender). Add to beans. Add cheese and salsa to broccoli mixture. Heat 1 tbsp This semester, students from Syracuse University travelled to the Mag- oil on fry pan. Place 1 tortilla on plate. Using ¼ of mixture, cover half of tor- narelli Community Center at McChesney Park to bring arts to the tilla. Fold over so that it covers mixture. Place folded tortilla in pan. Cook 2-3 youth who attend the after-school program there in an initiative called minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Flip for 2-3 minutes. smA.R.T. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Cut finished tortillas in half. For a flavor change, try other vegetable mixtures such as sautéed kale or Volunteers Stephanie Boyle and Scott McLoughlin worked with Office spinach, shredded zucchini or carrots; try small amounts of shredded chicken, of Engagement Programs staffer Liz Congdon and the Parks Depart- ham or tuna! Use sharp or extra sharp cheddar to get more flavor with less cheese! ment’s Alexander Jackson to help the students engage in hands-on Nutritional Information: per serving…220 cal, 9g fat (3g sat), 530mg sodium, learning and explore their talents beyond the drawing and painting 31g carb (1g sugar/6g fiber), 10g protein /// Vit.C 30%! components of traditional school arts curricula.

Monthly Recipe, contributed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Each Wednesday, youth worked on a different project, creating votive Onondaga County. CCE brings award winning nutrition education candle holders, jewelry. They finished the program by making piñatas. programs to City youth and families throughout the school year! City Parks is a proud partner! Enjoy!