Honor Syracuse Parks Centennial

Assembly Resolution No. 509 BY: M. of A. Magnarelli COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs WHEREAS, A vibrant Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs Department instills local pride, draws people together, and is essential to a community's vitality; for the past 100 years, the character of life in the Central New York area has been ably served and uniquely enriched by the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those organizations which serve to enhance the vitality of their communities, and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, deserving the applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs kicked off its Centennial Anniversary by planting 13 trees in Thornden Park on Friday, April 21, 2017, with the goal of planting 100 trees total throughout the year; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs will continue the celebration of its 100th Anniversary throughout 2017 with special events and promotions, encouraging residents to enjoy its facilities and diverse array of activities; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs Centennial was additionally celebrated at the Department's Annual Silver and Gold Gala, which was held at the American Valley Legion on May 4, 2017; and WHEREAS, Each year, the Department brings together senior citizens from local centers to celebrate Older Americans Month, and to recognize and thank seniors for the value they bring to the community; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs is the sole local government agency charged specifically with providing recreation for city residents; currently, about 1,000 acres of parks, playgrounds and open spaces are included under the Department's stewardship; and WHEREAS, Since 1917, the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs has cultivated and sustained leisure programming and provided attractive parks for residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs is serviced through divisions which include: Adult Athletics, Aquatics, Ice Rinks, Forestry, Golf Courses, Grounds, Senior Programs, Youth Programs, and Special Events; and WHEREAS, The Adult Athletics Division coordinates the schedules and games for basketball, softball, broomball, volleyball, and lacrosse leagues, which have more than 10,000 participants combined; and WHEREAS, The Aquatics program through the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs operates out of three indoor pools that are open year-round, with an additional eight pools open during the summer months; a variety of classes are offered at the pools, such as adult and children swimming lessons, as well as water exercise, lifeguard, and water safety courses; and WHEREAS, The Ice Rinks Division of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs oversees and maintains winter ice rinks at Sunnycrest Park, Meachem Park and Clinton Square; these facilities offer public skating, league, and club skating and lessons; and WHEREAS, The Forestry Division of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs is responsible for maintaining approximately 35,000 trees on 450 miles of city streets; this Division provides a continuous program of tree planting, trimming, and removal of trees in order to maintain a healthy and abundant tree population; and WHEREAS, The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs also has a Golf Course Division, which manages the only two golf courses located within the City of Syracuse, at Burnet and Sunnycrest parks; the nine-hole, par-three courses see over 30,000 rounds of play each season, and offer open play and league play to community members including local schools and youth organizations; and WHEREAS, The Grounds Division of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs is responsible for overall maintenance and cleanup of the City's parks; and WHEREAS, The Grounds Division also operates the City's Greenhouse, which plants approximately 50,000 summer annuals,15,000 spring bulbs,

300 perennials, and 25 foliage plants at 125 sites throughout the City; and WHEREAS, Through its senior centers, the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs offers a host of recreational, fitness, and advocacy programs for the community's senior population, including: speakers, day trips, bingo games, exercise programs, health screenings, holiday parties, legal services, and daily lunches; and WHEREAS, Further, the Youth Recreation Division of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs provides a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities to city youth through its operation of seven neighborhood community centers, two school-based recreation sites, and numerous year-round and summer programs; and WHEREAS, All aspects of scheduling, permitting and coordination of activities and events that occur throughout the year are managed by the Special Events Division of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs, which ensures that the events are free and open to the public; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs has an Office of Graphics and an Office of Planning and Development, which serve the public through capital improvements, community programs, and the creation of signage and graphics for the parks; and WHEREAS, Today, under the direction of Commissioner Lazarus Sims, the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs continues to serve the community through its outstanding programs and can look back with pride on its rich history of providing important services to the residents of the Syracuse-area community over the past century; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs Commissioner Lazarus Sims.