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City forestry outlines multi‑year plan to revitalize Pass Arboretum, proposes phased removals and ADA loop
Summary
City forestry and parks staff presented a conceptual restoration and accessibility plan for the Pass Arboretum at 300 South Avery Avenue, proposing roughly 70 initial tree removals, phased replanting and a widened 10–12‑foot loop to improve year‑round access and educational use.
City forestry and parks staff on Jan. 9 presented a conceptual plan to restore and reactivate the Pass Arboretum at 300 South Avery Avenue, describing a multi‑year program of removals, replanting, new accessible pathways and educational programming aimed at returning the site to use as a living laboratory.
Claire Carney, the City of Syracuse community forester, told the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board the arboretum was donated to the city in 1925 and historically served as an educational demonstration landscape. Carney said the parks and forestry divisions want to retain historic features where feasible while making the site accessible year‑round, expanding an existing loop to a 10–12‑foot paved surface for maintenance and winter plowing, adding labeled specimen trees, and creating multiple outdoor “classroom” areas.
City Arborist Steve Harris and forestry technician Michael Wolf described an inventory and condition assessment that identified a large number of declining or invasive trees. Wolf said staff plan to remove about 70 trees first, phased over roughly four years, and to replant more than 150 trees over subsequent years. Staff described removals as focused on trees in poor condition or species considered invasive or at end of life (examples cited included Norway maples and aging black cherry specimens). The plan includes tree labeling (at least 25 labeled specimens required for accreditation), revised planting design that reflects cultural and ecological diversity, and new site furnishings and consistent fencing.
Staff also described accessibility work: a 10–12‑foot paved main loop intended to accommodate walkers and maintenance vehicles and a future 5‑foot asphalt accessible path to the overlook on Heritage Hill, which staff said could be built with grading that keeps slopes within ADA standards. Staff said the ADA overlook path is a longer‑term goal dependent on funding. Lighting options were discussed for low‑level, down‑lighting at the circle entries; staff said electrical service to the site is not yet secured.
Board members and visitors largely welcomed the plan. Members commended the effort to maintain the historic loop, expand public access and create an educational resource for residents and local institutions. Several board members encouraged staff to continue outreach to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and local partners for educational programming; staff said outreach to ESF faculty is planned for the next month. Staff said they will keep the public informed and provided a QR code for comment and uploaded materials including detailed removal maps and a phasing plan.
No formal approval or funding decision was made by the Landmark Preservation Board at the Jan. 9 meeting. Staff said the work will proceed through phased removals and future implementation stages subject to budget and further public input.
