Thornden Park

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Thornden Park's main entrance at the intersection of Ostrom Avenue, Madison Street, and Comstock Place
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Thornden Park's main entrance at the intersection of Ostrom Avenue, Madison Street, and Comstock Place

Thornden Park is the second-largest park in Syracuse, New York, after Burnet Park. It is located in the Westcott neighborhood, and borders the University Neighborhood and University Hill neighborhoods. It comprises of 76 acres (308,000 m²) and contains a rose garden.

[edit] History

Thornden Park began as a farm owned by Zebulon Ostrom, who sold it to a wealthy salt miner named James P. Haskins around 1850, who turned it into an estate. In 1921 the city made the land a park. During the 1960s, however, budget-cuts threatened the cleanliness of the park, a threat that was countered by neighborhood initiatives. The 1970s brought the Dutch Elm Disease, which killed approximately 600 elm trees in the park. Maple trees were planted to counter the tree deaths.

[edit] Features

  • Swimming pool (50 meters)
  • One multi-purpose field
  • Five tennis courts
  • Three basketball courts
  • Playground
  • Fitness trail
  • E.M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden

[edit] References