Renovated Mill House at Elmwood Park

Elmwood Park: Stone Walking Bridge

An original stone bridge, one of many treasures that make this park so special.

Elmwood Park: Hidden Stairs

The Syracuse city website describes the history of Elmwood Park thus:

Elmwood Park has an unusually long and interesting history. The wealth of history associated with this site can be traced to 1796 when Elliot Herrin transferred title to Comfort Tyler. In 1806, a furnace was constructed on the site to cast shot and shells for the War of 1812. In 1880, the land was used for farmland, but by 1889 the property was transformed into William Pardee's "First Class Temperance Pleasure Resort." At that time, it covered about 17 acres and had two artificial lakes, picnic shelters, dance pavilions, a restaurant, concessions (such as a cigar stand and an ice cream parlor), amusements (such as Swan boats, rifle range, merry-go-round and the like), and the natural attractions of bluffs, stream and wildflowers. It was described as a "delightful spot, first rate, handsome, pretty and safe, an ideal place for a day's outing..."

In 1927, the natural beauty of Elmwood Park was clearly recognized and the park was developed with respect for the picturesque qualities of its rugged landform, forested slopes and natural water features. It was to be "a good example of the naturalistic park where beauty of the landscape is the predominating factor…a delightful unspoiled area of land surrounded by high-class residential property." As such, the design of all the incidental structures - bridges, walls, weirs, stairs, curbs, etc. - were to be in a rough and ready vernacular of rustic stone, natural borders or unfinished, heavy timber. Today the park's 65 acres continue to attract those delighting in picturesque scenery.

Dogtooth Violet in Elmwood Park

This earliest of the early bloomers, also called adder's tongue, trout lily, 

is the lily Erythronium americanum.

Spain Posts Up to Date! and Elmwood Park: Red-tailed Hawk, Interrupted

Spread throughout latter November and much of December are photos of our adventures in Spain late last year.

Enjoy! Go!

If you click on the label SPAIN at the bottom of this post, all of the posts will line up for viewing.

Also...

Elmwood Park

AKA Larry's Park in our household, this park of hilly woods, wooded paths, a fresh clear stream and many naturalistic stairs, edgings, a built-in bench, bridges and stream banks. A new roof is going on the old mill. 

Did you notice that along much of the upper pathway are tall old electric street lights? Syracuse has parks for a city twice its population. In fact it once was a city twice its present size. So the parks aren't lighted much at night any more, and there are many fewer benches. Lack of regular use leads to disuse and misuse. We lack critical mass. This is just one of the imperiled resources of almost any old American industrial city. 

ESF did a bio-blitz on May 23-24, 2003 and found 661 kinds of plants and animals. 

Neighbors, community volunteers and tree stewards have put a lot of time into this great park.  There are dedicated souls picking up trash regularly, and that really shows! Thanks to you all!