Senate Resolution No. 2286

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

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.