More than $1 million in park improvements are coming to Syracuse.

The upgrades are planned for seven Northside parks and six Southside parks, Mayor Ben Walsh announced Thursday. The projects were identified by speaking with residents at meetings and through surveys collected over the past year, he said.

The park projects are expected to be completed by fall 2024, based on weather and contractor availability.

The work will be paid for with $550,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, $400,000 in capital project funds, $67,500 from the Central New York Community Foundation via TNT and $15,000 from the Reisman Foundation and state grants.

Southside Parks projects include:

  • Playground upgrades for ages 5-12 at Baker Playlot at 213 Baker Ave. 
  •  Playground enhancements at the Southwest Community Center at 401 South Ave. 
  • Playground additions at Spirit of Jubilee Park at 201 South Ave. 
  • A new picnic pavilion will be erected at McKinley Park at 351 W. Newell St. 
  • New sidewalks around the perimeter of Danforth Park at 230 E. Kennedy St. 
  • A veterans memorial in Kirk Park at 439 Kirk Ave.

Northside Parks projects include: 

  • A splashpad reconstruction, including one vertical spray and multiple ground sprays, and new bleachers at the existing basketball courts, at Washington Square Park at 101 Washington Sq.
  • A new two-bay swing set replacement for Union Park at 1001 N. Salina St., along with the installation of new bench coverings on the southeast side of the park. 
  • The construction of a multi-purpose events stage at Demong Park at 300 Kirkpatrick St. 
  • A Miracle Alta Inclusive Glider and two new shade structures for Clinton Playlot at 399 North Crouse Ave. 
  • The installation of several outdoor fitness stations for McChesney Park at 2308 Grant Boulevard.

“Investing in our parks creates happy and healthier communities,” said Walsh. “The research supports this, and we witness it every day. We are grateful for the assistance from the Common Council and our state and federal partners, and we appreciate the support and engagement from the community.”

Also, the city proposes re-using the existing fencing at Lincoln Park at 100 Robinson St., to support an enclosed dog park on the old baseball field. Neighbors can email comments and questions to Parksplanning@syr.gov by May 12.

Forest restoration work at Schiller Park will continue throughout 2023. The Onondaga Earth Corps will replant trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants thanks to $250,000 from the state Dormitory Authority and state parks.

For more information, visit syracuse.recdesk.com or call (315) 473-4330.