2022 Northside Parks Engagement

  • Project typeNorthside Parks Engagement
  • Project scheduleApril 2022 - June 2022

Starting in April 2022 and through the end of June 2022, the City of Syracuse Parks Department’s Planning Division carried out a robust community engagement and park observation process to help determine the best use of $300,000 for 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the improvement to various parks in the City’s Northside neighborhood.

Using an internally developed standard for outreach, communication, and accountability. Parks staff participated or held approximately 20 meetings which directly reached over an estimated 1000 people including neighbors, businesses, institutions and various other neighborhood stakeholders.

This report(PDF, 669KB) provides an overview of the second Parks-run community engagement program, implemented to solicit feedback on 15 parks, green and open spaces.

An additional $15,000.00 from the Reisman Foundation and $67,500.00 from the Central New York Community Foundation via TNT will be used for the replacement of Washington Square Park’s spray feature. Capital project funds will be used to cover remaining costs.

Proposed park projects

Proposed park projects will 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 swingset replacement for Union Park, located at 1001 N. Salina Street, 13208, along with the installation of new covered benches on the southeast side of the park. 
  • A multi-purpose events stage will be built at Demong Park, located at 300 Kirkpatrick Street, 13208.
  • A Miracle Alta Inclusive Glider and two new shade structures are planned 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 also 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, April 28, 2023.