THORNDEN PARK ASSOCIATION

Since 1921, Thornden Park has been the jewel of the city’s east side. With its forested and open spaces, playground and ballfields, outdoor amphitheatre and stunning rose garden, Thornden Park is a place for people of all ages to gather, play and enjoy the outdoors.

The Thornden Park Association was founded in 1983 to advocate for, restore, and revitalize Thornden Park, a seventy-six acre historic landscape situated within the complex and diverse University Neighborhood in Syracuse, New York.

Coming Summer 2026:

New Public Art Installation in Thornden Park!

An exciting, interactive, community public art project will be installed in Thornden Park this summer. Learn more about The Paths We Weave and how you can get involved

HERE

First loop of new Walking Path
nears completion!

We are working on the final touches including new trail markers.

1/2

Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park's two-week run of "The Taming of the Shrew" begins this Friday at 5:30pm!

For performance times and ticket information go to: https://onthestage.tickets/show/syracuse-shakespeare-in-the-park/6946dac0524bdf10470d2c70

In spite of the threat of rain, people came out on Sunday for the first willow weaving workshop offered as part of "The Paths We Weave" public art project in Thornden Park.
The next workshop is this Thursday, August 6, from 6-7pm at the Thornden Park water tower. Artist Sydney Schultz will give an introduction to sculpture foundations and basic willow weaving techniques. The workshops are free and open to all ages.
To learn more about "The Paths We Weave", see the full workshop schedule, and find out how to support public art in Thorden Park, please visit: https://www.thorndenpark.org/paths-we-weave

Public Art Comes to Thornden!

This summer, the hillside below the Thornden Park water tower will become a living work of public art. "The Paths We Weave" is a collaborative project by artists Sydney Schultz and Laura Reeder that combines monumental woven willow sculptures with meadow pathways that invite visitors to walk, gather, and experience the landscape in new ways.

When you visit the water tower, you can see the no-mow area roped off where Laura has started to curate the walking paths. Over the past week, Sydney and a crew of volunteers have harvested about an acre’s worth of willow at ESF’s Tully Field Station. The harvested willow arrived by truck yesterday.

You Can Get Involved!

Sydney will be offering a series of workshops to teach about willow and willow weaving techniques. The first workshop is THIS SUNDAY, August 2, from noon-2pm at the Thornden Park water tower. The topic is “Willow Harvest + Material Awareness”. It is free and open to all ages.

To learn more about the project, upcoming willow weaving workshops, and how to support public art in Thornden Park, go to: https://www.thorndenpark.org/paths-we-weave

TONIGHT! The Parks Department's Pops in the Park Summer Concert Series brings the jazz trio -- Big Tasty and the Sass-- to the Thornden Park Amphitheater. The show starts at 7pm.
Come enjoy free outdoor jazz on a beautiful evening in the park!

Grab your swimsuit and your sneakers - Aquathon 2026 is coming to Thornden Park!

For more information visit www.thorndenpark.org.

To pre-register go to: https://syracuse.recdesk.com/Community/Program

Syracuse Shakespeare-In-The-Park's two-week run of "King Lear" begins this weekend in the Thornden Park outdoor amphitheater.
Showtimes:
Fri & Sat @ 5:30pm (June 12 & 13, and 19 & 20)
Sundays @ 2pm (June 14 & 24)
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of theater in the park. All shows are FREE but donations are welcome!

I Love My Park Day – May 2! 🌿

Join us next Saturday, May 2, to show some love for Thornden Park! 💚 There are two great ways to get involved:
🌱 Loop Trail Building (9 AM)
Help us finish mulching the new loop walking trail!
📍 Meet at the pavilion next to the playground (on your left after the football field).
🛠 Equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring rakes, garden forks, or wheelbarrows if you have them.

🌸 Carriage House Bed Clean-Up & Mulching (10 AM)
Team up with ESF’s Sigma Lambda Alpha to prep the carriage house beds for spring and summer planting.
📍 Meet at the carriage house (on your left from the Madison Street entrance).
🙌 No tools or experience needed—just come ready to help!
Bring a friend and make a difference in your park! 🌳

Join us in Thornden Park for an Earth Day Clean Up, Saturday, April 25. We will meet at the Thornden Park Water Tower between 10AM-1PM. We have bags and a limited number of pickers. Bring gloves.
Let's give the park a spring cleaning!

It's @chefginty! Culinary wizard with a keen focus on vegan and vegetarian mains, Chef has made the Chili Bowl Festival a delicious reflection of Thornden Park's community.

Come and eat on Sunday March 1st from 11:30AM-3PM #thorndenpark

🥣Chili Fest menu

Syracuse Chili: a classic chili made with Gianelli Sausage, beer, and Dino BBQ spices. (Meat)

Field House Chili: a beef and dark red kidney beans, seasoned with herbs, red wine, and dijon mustard. (Meat & Gluten-free)

Chef Ginty's Chicken Chili: a creamy chili with chicken, red bell peppers, onion, and garlic with cheddar cheese. (Meat & Dairy)

Westcott Red Bean Chili: a homage to the hippies that made Westcott bloom, this spicy and savory chili is made with red beans with a rich tomato base. (Vegan & Gluten-free)

Ris' Chili: a kid-friendly chili, mild and delicious with black beans, kidney beans, mushrooms, corn, and lots of hidden veggies. Seriously scrumptious. (Vegan & Gluten-free)

What to expect 🌶️
Family-friendly, Indoor & Heated Outdoor seating, Pre-Orders and Quarts to Go, Kids Meals, Raffle prizes, Chili Platters

Hungry?
The Chili Bowl Festival has you covered on Sunday, March 1st from 11:30AM until 3PM.

Vegan & Meat chili menu with more toppings, hot cocoa, and @allenfellowsproject LIVE MUSIC!

#lovethepark #eatthechili

WE WANT YOU...to join Thornden Park Association as a Sponsor!
The Chili Bowl Fest is the major fundraiser for the Thornden Park Association, which uses its resources and volunteers to keep Thornden Park a vibrant part of Syracuse.
All proceeds support the work of restoration and revitalization. Our plans include restoration of the Carriage House pathway, developing a walking trail through the park, maintaining the Field House, and supporting the growing interest in Public Art in the park.
TPA directly supports playground improvements and youth sports such as the Bulldogs Cheerleading & Pop Warner Football, the Aquathon, and Discovery Day Camp- ensuring Syracuse’s beautiful 76-acre historic park is a welcoming and active space for all children.
On behalf of our beautiful and diverse park community,
Kate Auwaerter & Sondra Roth
TPA President Chair, Chili Bowl Fest
Thornden Park Association is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization.

The Return of the Thornden Park Chili Bowl Festival! Sunday, March 1st from 11:30AM-3PM at the Thornden Park Field House. Featuring music by the Allen Fellows Project and a chili menu designed by Chef Billy-Brendan Ginty, with vegan, kid-friendly, chicken, beef, and Gianelli sausage chilis. #savethedate #lovethepark #eatthechili #syracuse

Get your Thornden Park gear in time for the holidays!
Thornden Park
Holiday Pop-Up Market
Saturday, December 13, 10AM-2PM
New colors, new styles!
All proceeds from Thornden Park merchandise go back to the maintenance and revitalization of the park.

Just in time for holiday gift giving! Come to the Thornden Park Holiday Pop-Up Market, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10AM-2PM in the Thornden Park fieldhouse (next to the football field). Thornden Park sweatshirts, t-shirts, beanies, caps, aprons are available for purchase plus notebooks, cards and art prints by local artist bharatiiiyanari!

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Come to the first annual Thornden Park Association Pop-Up Holiday Market. Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10AM-2PM in the Thornden Park Fieldhouse (next to the football field). Thornden Park sweatshirts, t-shirts, beanies, caps, aprons in new colors and styles will be available for purchase just in time for the holidays!

Congratulations, Miranda! The Preservation Association of CNY has awarded TPA founder Miranda Hine the Dean Biancavilla Award for her tireless work to preserve, restore, and revive Thornden Park!
Come celebrate Miranda's many achievements with us on Friday, 12/5 at the PACNY Awards, St. Paul's Church, 310 Montgomery St, Syracuse. Reception begins at 4pm, program begins at 5:30pm. For more information and tickets go to: https://pacny.net/2025-annual-preservation-awards/
(Photo courtesy of Zach Barlow)

Enjoy live, local music at the BareRoots Music Festival this Saturday, 9/13 from 3-8pm at the Thornden Park Amphitheater.

Live music, local art mart, food & drink! To learn more and get your free ticket go to: https://www.barerootsfestival.com/

City Parks is bringing Movie Night to Thornden Park!
Come see Milo & Stitch this Friday, 9/12, at 7pm in the beautiful Thornden Park amphitheater.

Yikes! The carriage house planting beds need some TLC! Come help us tidy up in time for the upcoming summer kids camps in the park. We will be weeding from 9:30AM to 11:00ish on Saturday, June 21. We have a trunk full of tools to share; all we need is YOU! 🌼
The carriage house is located on your left as you enter the park from Madison Street.

The lilies are returning to the Thornden Park lily pond! Thanks, Trevor Hart, for braving the chilly water last Saturday morning. He got two in. More lilies coming soon!
Next gardening session is this Saturday, June 21 at 9:30-11:00AM. Meet at the carriage house (on your left as you come in from the Madison Street entrance).

Love to garden? Come join us for a Saturday morning gardening session at Thornden! We meet most Saturdays during the summer from 9:30-11:00AM. We have tools, gloves, rakes...only thing missing is you!
Next session: Saturday, June 14 at 9:30AM. Meet at the Lily Pond.

Find out what's new for 2025 in Thornden Park! Join us this Wednesday, 6/4, in the Thornden Park Fieldhouse for our Annual Meeting. Dinner starts at 5:30pm, followed by a short report, and then a conversation with Parks Commissioner Syeisha Byrd. All are welcome!

Even more raffle prizes for Sunday, March 2 at the Chili Bowl Festival ❤️

These local businesses and cultural institutions are truly invested in our community. And we are truly grateful!

🌶️ THANK YOU, CHILI BOWL SPONSORS! 🌶️

Our hearts (and bowls) are FULL thanks to the incredible sponsors who made the Thornden Park Chili Bowl Festival a spicy success!

🌟 Your support helps keep this 76-acre East Side gem vibrant and thriving—bringing neighbors together, supporting community projects, and making sure this beloved park remains a place for all to enjoy. 💚🌳

Shoutout to our amazing sponsors—this event wouldn’t be the same without you! 👏👏

Thank them tomorrow if you see them and show them some love, and let’s keep the Thornden Park magic alive! ✨ #ThankYou #ChiliBowlFestival #ThorndenPark #SyracuseNY #CommunityPowered

Since 1921, Thornden Park has been the jewel of the city’s east side. With its forested and open spaces, playground and ballfields, outdoor amphitheater and stunning rose garden, Thornden Park is a place for people of all ages to gather, play and enjoy the outdoors.

The Thornden Park Association was founded in 1983 to advocate for, restore, and revitalize Thornden Park, a seventy-six acre historic landscape situated within the complex and diverse University Neighborhood in Syracuse, New York.

We are excited and delighted by all the local organizations and businesses that support the park! Join in and enjoy the raffle this Sunday!

Raffle tickets are $2 each or six tickets for $10.

Tell all your friends!

March 2nd from 11:30AM-3PM
Thornden Park Chili Bowl Festival will be rocking out with music from the The Allen Fellows Project, and five exciting chilis with more vegan toppings!

Chef Billy-Brendan Ginty will be serving up 🥣

Syracuse Chili: a classic chili made with Gianelli Sausage, beer, and Dino BBQ spices. (Meat)

Field House Chili: a beef and dark red kidney beans, seasoned with herbs, red wine, and dijon mustard. (Meat & Gluten-free)

Chef Ginty's Chicken Chili: a creamy chili with chicken, red bell peppers, onion, and garlic with cheddar cheese. (Meat & Dairy)

Westcott Red Bean Chili: a homage to the hippies that made Westcott bloom, this spicy and savory chili is made with red beans with a rich tomato base. (Vegan & Gluten-free)

Ris' Chili: a kid-friendly chili, mild and delicious with black beans, kidney beans, mushrooms, corn, and lots of hidden veggies. Seriously scrumptious. (Vegan & Gluten-free)

Family-friendly, Heated Outdoor seating, Raffle prizes
Chili Platters
Homebrewed Root Beer
Kids Meals
Quarts to Go

SAVE THE DATE!
Thornden Park Chili Bowl Festival is coming Sunday, March 2nd from 11:30AM-3PM featuring Chili Platters with Gluten-free/Vegan/Meat options. Menu by Chef Billy-Brendan Ginty. Live Music by the Allen Fellows Project.

All proceeds from the Chili Bowl Fest support the work of restoration and revitalization of historic Thornden Park.

The event features Raffle Prizes and Kid Activities. Shout out to @apocuse for their wonderful volunteer work supporting the park!

Enjoy delicious chili with Indoor Seating & Heated Outdoor Seating. Take-Out options are available.

#lovethepark #eatthechili #APO #chilifest #thorndenpark

New year, new colors!!! Introducing our t-shirts in limited editionDesert Rose and Desert Tan (available in S & M). We will have our t shirts in all sizes from XS to 2XL, & our hoodies, totes, & hats 🌳🍂🪵🌻

Find our booth at the Westcott Street fair this Sunday, 9/22 12-6!

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@thorndenpark100

THORNDEN PARK ASSOCIATION

First loop of new Walking Path nears completion!

​

Follow us on Instagram

First loop of new Walking Path
nears completion!