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 Syracuse University’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 swimming, 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 New York, 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 Golf 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 Clinton Square 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 Thornden Park. 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 Burnet Park 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 tennis, basketball, soccer, or baseball your child might be camp registration form, available on our website.