Syracuse parks commissioner outlines staffing changes, capital projects and plan for municipal dog shelter

Saisha Berg, commissioner of Syracuse City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, told councilors the department’s proposed budget holds a small net increase in permanent staff while shifting job classifications and committing capital dollars to planning and construction for several park projects, including a municipal dog shelter.

The presentation focused on personnel, vacancies and a mix of capital and grant-funded projects that city staff said aim to expand pool and playground capacity, improve accessibility, and address long‑standing shelter shortcomings. Berg opened by thanking staff and community partners and then walked through staffing changes and program highlights.

Berg said the department is proposing a limited number of new roles and some reclassifications: a landscape architect is being upgraded to a landscape architect II, an administrative aide position is being replaced by an administrative assistant, and the only wholly new permanent position listed is a GIS specialist to oversee Cityworks. "I also want to thank our seniors, our youth that use our rec centers and our programming, our contracted instructors," Berg said, noting several vacancies the department is working to fill.

Councilors and staff listed roughly 11 non‑seasonal vacancies across administration, grounds and recreation (Assistant Supervisor of Parks Ground Maintenance, Trails Coordinator, Storekeeper, program director, recreation activity specialist, senior recreation leader, therapeutic recreation specialist and recreation supervisor among them). Berg and staff said many of those jobs are posted and interviews are underway.

On pools and summer staffing, Joshua (Josh) Ayala, aquatic supervisor, said the department has hired about 80 lifeguards so far and is preparing to open eight outdoor pools and one indoor pool for the summer season. "We have currently about 80 lifeguards that we have hired for the summer city season, and we’re on pretty good track to get the rest," Ayala said. He also told councilors the department employs about seven full‑time, year‑round aquatic staff stationed at Valley and Southwest pools.

Dog shelter plan and capital funding

City landscape designer Josh Wilcox said the department is pursuing a campus site for a municipal dog shelter and is planning a staged funding approach. "This year we had $1,000,000 in our capital improvement program for 2024–25. We plan to use $500,000 of that for feasibility, design, to look at not just one location, but a couple locations within our campus," Wilcox said. He said the department also has $2,000,000 listed in the 2025–26 capital improvement program for construction.

Wilcox and other staff characterized those amounts as part of an initial financing plan supplemented by grants. He estimated preliminary building costs at about $300 to $350 per square foot for a 10,000–12,000 square foot facility, putting a rough construction estimate in the $3 million to $3.5 million range, and said the department expects to pursue grant funding and hopes for county participation. Staff emphasized the project begins with feasibility and community review before construction.

Forestry, grants and staffing tied to projects

City arborist Steve Harris described an added forestry technician position to manage expanded natural‑areas work and grant‑funded projects. "We just received notice at the end of last week that we did receive the second grant we are counting on, which would allow us to reimburse for this position for four years, salary plus fringe," Harris said. Staff said the role would be reimbursed by grants for the foreseeable term cited.

Playgrounds, accessibility and park improvements

Berg and project staff outlined a slate of park projects and upgrades slated for the coming seasons: pavilion replacement at Thornton Park, a proposed pavilion at Elmwood Park, new rubberized, wheelchair‑accessible surfacing at multiple playgrounds, splash pad work, playground and court repairs at Dunbar Park, conceptual planning for pool reconstructions (including Onondaga and Thorndon Park pools), stream restoration work and security camera expansions. Staff stressed an emphasis on accessibility and inclusion in playground design and said the department plans public outreach and ribbon‑cuttings for completed projects.

Stages, events and rental revenue

Anthony Pham, special events coordinator, said the department now operates two portable stages (the "bandwagon" units) and rents them to community groups. He said per‑day rental is about $500 to $750 depending on model and that staffing and setup time typically require two or more employees. "We essentially just break even right now with the cost," Pham said, and noted the units are often booked on summer weekends.

Trash cans, memorial benches and park operations

Berg said staff are working to standardize benches and trash receptacles so replacements are available when items are damaged. The department also rolled out an online memorial bench program that allows residents to apply for a plaque on a bench for $100; some bench types would require common‑council approval.

Safety and Creek Walk visibility

Councilors raised safety on the Creek Walk and other park areas, asking about non‑police models such as ambassadors or bike‑patrol volunteers. Berg and staff said they are coordinating regular walks and outreach; staff said the department is working with Syracuse Police on camera footage and patrols. Deputy Commissioner Chris Abbott and department staff said they will increase visible presence and invite councilors and residents to join regular walks to assess needs.

What happens next

Staff said the dog shelter will move to feasibility studies and community review, funded initially from the capital improvement program and supplemented by grant applications. The department will continue to post and interview for vacancies, proceed with summer hiring for pools, and advance design work on play and pool projects, then return to the council with details and public engagement opportunities. No formal council votes or bond measures were recorded in this portion of the meeting.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke during a public budget presentation and Q&A with councilors and department staff.