Burnet Park
Encyclopedia
Burnet Park is the largest park in Syracuse, New York
, USA, covering an area of 88 acres (35.6 ha). It is located on the west end of the city, in the Far Westside
in a neighborhood called Tipperary Hill
.
in Tipperary Hill
and is bounded by Coleridge Avenue on the north, South Avery Avenue on the west, South Wilbur Avenue on the east and Grand Avenue on the south.
joined the city in 1886, Major John P. Burnet, who owned a large farm on Tipperary Hill
, donated a 100 acre (0.404686 km²) hill top plot to Syracuse
now known as Burnet Park for use as a city park. The property was donated with the condition that the city spend $6,000 to build roads and plant trees.
A year later, Burnet was satisfied with the city's efforts, and thus, in 1887, gave the city an additional plot of land, known as the Oak Grove, which is still full of oak trees, on the corner of South Avery Avenue and Whittier Avenue.
as "the most beautiful building lots for residences in the city of Syracuse
."
fields, a basketball
court, an outdoor racquetball
court, two tennis
courts, a 50 m swimming pool, a nine-hole par-three golf
course, and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
. Most of the park is free to the public, excepting the golf course and zoo.
is located at Van Cortlandt Park
in the Bronx, New York, which opened in 1895.
The golf course is located at the corner of Avery and Coleridge Avenues. There is a $3 fee for children and seniors, $3 fee for local students, and $6 fee for adults. The golf course is located at the city’s highest point of elevation. Golfers are "treated to breathtaking views and dynamic hole designs."
The course is a nine-hole, par-3 course. It is open daily from 7 AM to dusk, May 1 to October 15, weather permitting.
True to the neighborhood’s Irish roots, the first hole features the country’s only “shamrock” shaped bunker. The course has undergone several changes since it opened over 100 years ago. The latest upgrade occurred in 1988 when a complete renovation took place.
is a zoo
in Syracuse
located in Burnet Park. During the early years, the zoo was owned and operated by the city of Syracuse
, however, it is now owned and operated by Onondaga County Parks
.
The zoo is home to nearly 1,000 animal
s on 43 acres (174,015 m²). Some of the more popular animals include Asian elephant
s, Humboldt penguin
s, Amur tiger
s and African lions. The zoo also houses a conservation
, education center, Jungle Cafe and gift shop.
It was estimated that it would take 30 or 40 years (1965–1975) before the sapplings formed a wooded area. The trees were donated to the city by New York State through the Experimental Station of the College of Agriculture. By the mid-1960s, the forest had grown, as estimated, to a full stand.
The forest is located south of the golf course on the southern border of the park on Grand Avenue.
The handball courts were built in the early 1970s and have been a popular activity for many years. The picnic grounds located in Oak Grove on the northwest corner of the park were a good place for family get-together's.
ding and ski
ing were favorite pastimes and the hill was called The Little Alps.
Ice-skating was also a popular choice of activity throughout the years. The ice-skating rink was constructed in January each year. A small snowplow would form a circle with tall snowbanks around the edge and park staff would use a fire hose to fill the pad with several inches of water. The process would take 24 hours until the ice finally froze. During the mid-1960s, the city built a plumbed outdoor ice-skating rink next to the clubhouse facility. The rink is now defunct and was closed in 2003 due to the opening of a new ice-skating rink in the downtown area.
The old rink at Burnet Park is still used for broomball
and roller hockey
in the summer months, but is closed to the general public.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, USA, covering an area of 88 acres (35.6 ha). It is located on the west end of the city, in the Far Westside
Far Westside, Syracuse
The Syracuse Far Westside is one of 26 recognized neighborhoods by the City of Syracuse, USA. Until this area joined the city in 1886 it was known as the village of Geddes.-History:...
in a neighborhood called Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
.
History
Burnet Park is located on the Far WestsideFar Westside, Syracuse
The Syracuse Far Westside is one of 26 recognized neighborhoods by the City of Syracuse, USA. Until this area joined the city in 1886 it was known as the village of Geddes.-History:...
in Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
and is bounded by Coleridge Avenue on the north, South Avery Avenue on the west, South Wilbur Avenue on the east and Grand Avenue on the south.
Geddes annexation
When the village of GeddesGeddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
joined the city in 1886, Major John P. Burnet, who owned a large farm on Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
, donated a 100 acre (0.404686 km²) hill top plot to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
now known as Burnet Park for use as a city park. The property was donated with the condition that the city spend $6,000 to build roads and plant trees.
A year later, Burnet was satisfied with the city's efforts, and thus, in 1887, gave the city an additional plot of land, known as the Oak Grove, which is still full of oak trees, on the corner of South Avery Avenue and Whittier Avenue.
Burnet Park extension
In 1890, Burnet subdivided the remainder of his farm south of the park into residential lots and called the development the Burnet Park Extension. The subdivision offered 100 lots and advertised the close proximity of Burnet Park as one of the main amenities. It was advertised by Burnet & Westcott, of 10 Snow Building in SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
as "the most beautiful building lots for residences in the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
."
Park facilities
The park affords residents from the local area the ability to participate in many activities. The facilities at the park include: three softballSoftball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
fields, a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
court, an outdoor racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
court, two tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
courts, a 50 m swimming pool, a nine-hole par-three golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
course, and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is a zoo in Syracuse, New York. It is owned and operated by Onondaga County Parks. The zoo is home to more than 900 animals on . Some of the more popular animals include Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins, Amur tigers and African lions...
. Most of the park is free to the public, excepting the golf course and zoo.
Golf course
The Burnet Park golf course is one of the oldest in the country. Golf grounds were laid out at the park in 1901. The oldest golf course in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is located at Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park is a park located in the Bronx in New York City. It is the fourth largest park in New York City, behind Pelham Bay Park, Flushing Meadows Park and Staten Island Greenbelt....
in the Bronx, New York, which opened in 1895.
The golf course is located at the corner of Avery and Coleridge Avenues. There is a $3 fee for children and seniors, $3 fee for local students, and $6 fee for adults. The golf course is located at the city’s highest point of elevation. Golfers are "treated to breathtaking views and dynamic hole designs."
The course is a nine-hole, par-3 course. It is open daily from 7 AM to dusk, May 1 to October 15, weather permitting.
True to the neighborhood’s Irish roots, the first hole features the country’s only “shamrock” shaped bunker. The course has undergone several changes since it opened over 100 years ago. The latest upgrade occurred in 1988 when a complete renovation took place.
Burnet zoo
The Rosamond Gifford ZooRosamond Gifford Zoo
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is a zoo in Syracuse, New York. It is owned and operated by Onondaga County Parks. The zoo is home to more than 900 animals on . Some of the more popular animals include Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins, Amur tigers and African lions...
is a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
located in Burnet Park. During the early years, the zoo was owned and operated by the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, however, it is now owned and operated by Onondaga County Parks
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
The zoo is home to nearly 1,000 animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s on 43 acres (174,015 m²). Some of the more popular animals include Asian elephant
Asian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
s, Humboldt penguin
Humboldt Penguin
The Humboldt Penguin is a South American penguin, that breeds in coastal Peru and Chile. Its nearest relatives are the African Penguin, the Magellanic Penguin and the Galápagos Penguin...
s, Amur tiger
Amur Tiger
The Siberian tiger , also known as the Amur tiger, is a tiger subspecies inhabiting mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small subpopulation in southwest Primorye province in the Russian Far East. In 2005, there were 331–393 adult-subadult Amur tigers in this region, with a breeding adult...
s and African lions. The zoo also houses a conservation
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
, education center, Jungle Cafe and gift shop.
Swimming pool
The pool at Burnet Park is a 50 meters long, eight lanes outdoor pool, with a capacity of 492 bathers. The water depth ranges from 4 feet (1.2 m) to 14 feet (4.3 m), and children must be a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m), 4 inches to swim. The pool also has a spray fountain for smaller children.George Washington Memorial forest
In July, 1935, the local newspaper reported that the George Washington Memorial Forest, which comprised several thousand evergreens along the southern border of Burnet Park at Grand Avenue, would afford nursery stock for park use over the years as the growth was thinned. At that time, the trees were between one and two feet in height.It was estimated that it would take 30 or 40 years (1965–1975) before the sapplings formed a wooded area. The trees were donated to the city by New York State through the Experimental Station of the College of Agriculture. By the mid-1960s, the forest had grown, as estimated, to a full stand.
The forest is located south of the golf course on the southern border of the park on Grand Avenue.
Summer sports
The park is filled with activity no matter the season. In the summer months there are activities such as softball games, golf and swimming. Local residents use the park for bicycling, jogging and walking. On windy days, a good place to fly a kite is the local Lover's Lane on the western edge of the park, atop a hill next to South Avery Avenue.The handball courts were built in the early 1970s and have been a popular activity for many years. The picnic grounds located in Oak Grove on the northwest corner of the park were a good place for family get-together's.
Winter sports
Buffalo Hill has always been a favorite spot for winter sports enthusiasts to use their sleds and toboggans. By January, 1917, sledSled
A sled, sledge, or sleigh is a land vehicle with a smooth underside or possessing a separate body supported by two or more smooth, relatively narrow, longitudinal runners that travels by sliding across a surface. Most sleds are used on surfaces with low friction, such as snow or ice. In some cases,...
ding and ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
ing were favorite pastimes and the hill was called The Little Alps.
Ice-skating was also a popular choice of activity throughout the years. The ice-skating rink was constructed in January each year. A small snowplow would form a circle with tall snowbanks around the edge and park staff would use a fire hose to fill the pad with several inches of water. The process would take 24 hours until the ice finally froze. During the mid-1960s, the city built a plumbed outdoor ice-skating rink next to the clubhouse facility. The rink is now defunct and was closed in 2003 due to the opening of a new ice-skating rink in the downtown area.
The old rink at Burnet Park is still used for broomball
Broomball
Broomball is a recreational ice game originating in Canada and played around the world. It is played in a hockey rink, either indoors or outdoors, depending on climate and location. Broomball is popular in the Canadian province of Manitoba, where Glenella is the Broomball Capital of the World...
and roller hockey
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
in the summer months, but is closed to the general public.