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2ND ANNUAL WESTCOTT NEIGHBORHOOD FALL PLANTING
PROJECT
Did you enjoy the blooming bulbs this spring?
Can you imagine thousands of additional daffodils, crocuses and other bulbs blooming
next year (and every year after) in our neighborhood? If this appeals to you,
read on.
In the fall of 2003, we provided 2,300 bulbs for planting in front of residences
and public places in the Westcott area neighborhood. The various places
where our bulbs were planted include the Westcott Community Center, the Mosque,
and Petit Library.
Our project is simple. This spring, we seek donations from the community to
buy 2,000 – 2,500 bulbs from local suppliers. Later this summer, we will order
bulbs from a local supplier and publicize a distribution date this fall. On
the announced date, we will make available free packets of 12 bulbs (along with compost
donated by Toad Hollow Compost, 655-4756) and planting instructions to
every person who comes to the Westcott Community Center and requests bulbs for
planting.
We ask only that recipients plant these bulbs in their front yards so that everyone
in the neighborhood can enjoy the beauty of spring.
If we are successful in our fund raising, bulbs will also be offered for
planting in public places such as neighborhood schools, the library, places of
worship…
In addition the WCC will do outreach to senior citizens in the neighborhood who
would like some bulbs planted. The “Kids Club” an after school youth
(ages 9 -14) program at WCC will do the planting.
What You Can Do
Invest in your neighborhood! To make this project work we need your support.
Every dollar contributed will purchase 2-4 high-quality, long lasting bulbs
for all of us to enjoy in future years. The bulbs will be purchased from Syracuse
Farm Supply, a family owned business for over 60 years.
Checks should be made out to Westcott Community Center and mailed to 826 Euclid
Ave., Syracuse, 13210. In the memo line, please designate WCC Fall Planting Project
(so that your contribution is credited to the bulb project). Patrons
( $75 or more) will be invited this fall to a dinner party hosted by Jane Throttler. Contributions
are tax deductible.
For more information see the Westcott Community Center web page at www.westcottcc.org/bulb_%20planting.htm;
or contact Peter Wirth, pwirth@accucom.net,
476-3396; or Margot Clark, meclark@twcny.rr.com,
476-8590.
Project sponsored by GW Associates, a neighborhood public relations firm.
CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATES BERKELEY PARK AS PRESERVATION
DISTRICT …
From The Post Standard: Neighbors,
December 4, 2003
Berkeley Park became Syracuse’s second preservation district in early December
2003, officially tying the future of 139 properties in the East Side neighborhood
to its past. The Syracuse Common Council unanimously approved the designation
at the urging of an apparent majority of area homeowners. About 75 percent of
the residents signed a petition asking for the designation, and 37 people spoke
at a city planning commission public hearing supporting the plan. About 6 resident
spoke against the designation at that hearing, raising concern that it could
unduly limit property owners’ rights. Supporters believe the designation will
help prevent absentee landlords from "invading" the neighborhood.
The new rules will apply to the exteriors of all buildings, open spaces and public
areas within the district boundaries. The legislation that created the district
not4s its unique characteristics:
No two blocks are entirely the same elevation. Most
the streets curve, climb, and descend noticeably.
The neighborhood is made visually interesting by its use of terracing, elevated
sidewalks, public stairways, shared alleys and driveways, varied alignment
of streets, dense lots and the park-like effect of street trees and private
gardens.
Acorn Path, one of the streets within the district, is a unique, limited-access
street. Its east and west ends are open to vehicle traffic, but its center
portion is limited to pedestrian use.
SU ORGANIZES PROGRAM TO BENEFIT LOCAL SYRACUSE
COMMUNITY …
When many off-campus student residents leave their Syracuse-area neighborhoods
at the end of the semester, they leave behind unwanted household items that
are still in usable condition. As a result, the SU Office of Off-Campus Student
Services and SU Office of Government and Community Relations organized a donation
program to benefit community members who could put such items as furniture
and household appliances to good use. Representatives from Catholic Charities
and the InterReligious Council set up at various corners throughout the University
Neighborhood from May 5 to May 12, 2003. They gathered used items in good quality
condition such as furniture, small appliances, silverware, linens, blankets,
and plates. The Rescue Mission also agreed to pick up used items in good condition
in the 13210 zip code on Fridays throughout the same period. If you know of
an organization that needs donations, please contact Marisa Craybas of SU Office
of Government and Community Relations at 443-3919 or email her at mmcrayba@syr.edu.
SOME OLDER ADULT NEIGHBORS NEED HELP …
The Neighborhood Advisor Program has the ability to link various kinds of services
available for older adults (age 60+) including free meals, transportation,
art and computer education, nutrition counseling, financial and legal consultation,
and companionship … to name a few. The Neighborhood Advisor Program was
founded in 1980 by the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth in response
to documented needs for more information and assistance to human services by
older adults. It was a "grassroots" policy initiative utilizing the
best practices of community-based organizations, neighborhood outreach, and
human service delivery.
We need your help in reaching out to these older adults who live in the University
Neighborhood who could use some help. They could be a relative or a family
friend. They could be members of your congregation. They could be neighbors.
The plain simple fact is we can’t help if we don’t know who they, where they
are, or what their needs are.
So, if you know of an older adult person who could use some help, please contact
Paul Demong, Neighborhood Advisor (trained to help older adults get the services
they need and informed of programs available in the community), at the Westcott
Community Center at 478-8634.
CITY BEAUTIFUL …
Syracuse has 890,000 trees and 1,000 acres of greenspace. In the University
Neighborhood, Thornden Park is 76 acres of parklands,
topography and natural beauty. It was preserved after the City purchased the
property from the Davis Estate in 1921. The recently renovated Carriage House
is thought to be part of the Davis Estate greenhouse. The Syracuse Rose Society
cares for the E.M. Mills Rose Garden, which is internationally known as one
of the oldest and finest, rose gardens in America. This summer Thornden’s Amphitheater
hosted Syracuse’s first ever William Shakespeare in the Park Festival. Barry
Park is a neighborhood park established by citizen petition in 1944
and approved by the Syracuse Common Council. The 13 acres of recreation area
was purchased from George Lyings and is home to youth recreation, soccer and
baseball games. A true community park since its inception, Barry Park’s playground
was renovated and reconstructed by the Barry Park Association in 2001.
SPECTACULAR SUNSETS OF THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD
The Post Standard (10/4/2003) listed the hill on Morningside Terrace (behind
Ed Smith Elementary School), Westminster Park (at the top of stairs leading
up from Euclid Avenue), and the water tower at Thornden Park (with its sweeping
view to the west) as three of 15 of the choicest spots Central New York offers
for sunset viewing. How fortunate we are to have so many "choice" spots
to end our day …
"Are, here at the nowhere of
the rainbow’s end, where even light has failed its situation, slant
the only life it ever had, where even the most gallant sunset can’t
hold back for more than a nonce the rain-laden eastern sky of night.
It’s clear. It’s clear."
From Dear Miss Emily by James
Galvin
RESIDENT FINALLY FEELS "AT HOME"
As an army brat, growing up meant never staying in one place too long. In fact,
my stint in Syracuse has been the longest I have ever lived in one place. I
moved to Syracuse in 1992 to attend college at the State University of New
York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. More than ten years later,
I still live in the neighborhood, now as a homeowner rather than a student
renter.
After graduating in 1995 with a Bachelors degree in environmental studies,
I remained in Syracuse to pursue a graduate degree at SUNY-ESF and the Maxwell
School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. While in grad
school, I met my husband Brian, an employee of Syracuse University. With both
of us closely tied to the University, when we decided to purchase our first
house, the natural choice was to stay in the University Neighborhood.
In 1999, I obtained a job with the City of Syracuse, Department of Community
Development. For nearly three years, I worked as a planner for the City’s Eastside
neighborhoods as well as managing several programs funded through Federal grants.
In May 2002, I switched roles and joined Crucible Materials Corporation as
an Environmental Specialist.
I have stayed in the University area and Syracuse so long because I like the
people, the look and feel of the neighborhood, the proximity of businesses
and other amenities, but most importantly, I feel at home. From someone who
has lived in many places, that says a lot.
Donia Zilles
UNPA President
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
If you hear of a house coming up for sale, or if you hear of someone who wishes
to live in, and buy a home in, the university neighborhood, by all means call
UNPA at 476-5228. We will network with real estate agents and share information
about what help is available from UNPA and other organizations.
UNPA’s goal is promotion of owner occupancy. At this time, most "mint
condition" houses in our neighborhood are selling very well. The challenge
now, as when UNPA was formed in 1990, is bring back into owner occupancy some
of the houses that have been rental properties. We are particularly interested
in hearing from rental property owners who are ready to sell a house in the
area. There are several blocks in the area that will benefit from the return
of two or three homes to owner occupancy. With that change, they can join may
other blocks that have the balance of families and students that many of us
appreciate about the neighborhood.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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