City Parks

F.T. Proctor Park - Though F.T. Proctor Park is the smallest of Utica's Parks and Parkway System at 62 acres, it is considered the "crown jewel" of the city's parks. It was originally designed by Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects as a "country" park, renowned for its open vistas and "borrowed views" as seen from its Grand Entrance, Grand Lawn, Ravine, Lower Meadow, and Upper Field. All of these features remain today, thanks to the restoration and preservation undertaken by the Central New York Conservancy and the City of Utica.

Other features have been added or restored over the years, including the Lily Pond and Bathhouses, Butterfly Garden, and stone staircases. Many of the stone structures in the park were added during the WPA era.

Starch Factory Creek flows through F.T. Proctor Park and during the spring and summer months, it attracts crowds of children who enjoy diving and swimming in its waters.

F.T. Proctor Park contains a number of stately trees. Silver maple, red oaks, Norway maple, red maple, sugar maple, hawthorn, flowering crab apple, catalpa, locust, and spruce may all be seen in the park. Wooded areas of the park contain a vast array of trees, including ash, American beech, linden, witch hazel, hop hornbeam, birches, hemlock, arborvitae, pine, black cherry, and oak. A variety of native shrubs, perennials and both native and non-native grasses may be found in the park's woods and open marshes. The Grand Entrance to the park has spectacular seasonal flowers that have been planted by garden club and Conservancy volunteers.

T.R. Proctor Park - Fredrick Law Olmsted, Jr., and Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects designed T.R. Proctor Park as the "reform park" of the Utica Parks and Parkway System. It was designed as a sanctuary for citizens of the city, where they might engage in organized and spontaneous recreational activities.

Today, sports and recreation opportunities continue to abound in T.R. Proctor Park. This active park contains 2 basketball courts, 4 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields and a running trail. The park is in continual use by local schools, colleges, neighborhood teams and families.

Each September thousands of runners and spectators flock to Proctor Park for the annual E.J. Herrmann Cross Country Invitational. Beginning in 1941, the Herrmann is the second oldest invitational in the State.

Roscoe Conkling Park - Roscoe Conkling Park was the first park developed by the Proctor family. Within its borders are several Utica attractions, including the Parkway Recreation Center, Val Bialis Ski and Sled Center, the Eagle Monument and Picnic Area, Utica Zoo, Valley View Golf Course (designed by Robert Trent Jones), and the South Woods/Switchback multi-use trails.

The Park also contains several different buildings that serve visitors:

o    The Picnic Pavilion is located near the entrance to the South Woods Switchbacks.

o    Val Bialis Ski Chalet is located on the corner of the Memorial Parkway and Oneida St. in South Utica.

o    Parkway Rec Center is adjacent to the Ski Chalet on the corner of the Memorial Parkway & Oneida St.

o    The entrance to the Utica Zoo is on the Memorial Parkway, east of the Recreation Center.

o    Valley View Golf Course & Club House are located near the corner of the Parkway & Valley View Rd.

The South Woods and Switchback area of the park still retain areas of vegetation much like what early settlers to the region would have seen – ironwood, basswood, viburnum, and other early trees & shrubs.

District Parks                                                                                  

• Addison Miller Park - York Street and Old Burrstone Rd.

-          Swimming pool

-          Jungle gym

-          Swings

-          Basketball courts

-          Baseball fields

• Chancellor Park - Bleecker Street at First Street

-          Tennis courts

-          Bocce courts

-          Jungle gym

-          Swings

• Seymour Park - Euclid Road and School Road

-          Baseball fields

-          Jungle gym

-          Swimming pool

-          Basketball courts

-          Swings

-          Football/soccer field

• Wankel Playground - Rugby Road and Gilmore Place

-          Jungle gym

-          Baseball fields

-          Spray pool

-          Swings

Neighborhood Parks                                                                       

• Pixley  Playground - Noyes Street & Mathews Ave

-          Basketball courts

-          Swings

-          Spray pool

-          Jungle gym

-          Football/soccer field

• Lincoln Playground - Lincoln Ave & Watson Place

-          Skatepark

-          Basketball court

-          Baseball field

-          Jungle gym

-          Swings

• Hirt Playground - Corner of Sunset & Warren St.

-          Swings

-          Basketball court

• O'Connor Park - Mohawk St. & Arthur St.

-          Jungle gym

-          Swings

-          Football/soccer field

-          Spray pool

• Quinn Playground  - St. Vincent & Rutger St.

-          Basketball courts

-          Swings

-          Spray pool

-          Jungle gym

-          Baseball field

• Watson Williams

-          Basketball courts

-          Swings

-          Jungle gym

• North Utica Park - Fairwood Drive

-          Baseball fields

Passive Parks                                                                                  

• Hanna Park - Court Street & Broadway

-          Stage

-          Green space

• Nurses Candlelight Park - Genesee Street at Oswego Street

-          Landscaping and benches

Val Bialas Ski Center

Since 1954, Val Bialas Recreation Center has offered winter fun to local residents. The ski center is located in Roscoe Conkling Park on Memorial Parkway. The center was named after local 3 time Olympian ice skater Valentine Bialas. This hill is a true asset to the community.

The facility is open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s in the winter months when there is adequate snowfall. Val Bialas offers a rope tow, chairlift, night skiing, ice rink and chalet complete with snack bar. There are 5 trails at different degrees of difficulty as well as a separate sledding hill. In addition to downhill skiing, the winter sports complex offers over 7 miles of groomed cross country trails. 

John Mott Tennis Courts

Tennis enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the john Mott Tennis Courts in Roscoe Conkling Park on the Memorial Parkway. Offering 18 courts, one will never have to worry about reserving a spot! Looking to teach your children the fundamentals of the game? The city Youth Bureau offers summer lessons on site. The Mott Tennis Courts have ample parking from the Oneida Street side or the Memorial Parkway.

Parkway Recreation Center

The Edward A. Hanna Recreation center is a multi-purpose recreational facility managed by the City of Utica Youth Bureau. This building contains 2 modified basketball courts, weight training station, exercise equipment, walking track, tennis courts, computer room, conference area, and also contains the Utica Sport Hall of Fame.

To help provide additional services, the Utica Boys & Girls Club and the Parkway Senior Center are housed in the center as well. The Parkway Recreation Center is located at 220 Memorial Parkway in Roscoe Conkling Park.  For more information, please call 315-223-4320. 

Utica Zoo

The Utica Zoo is located on the grounds of Utica’s Roscoe Conkling Park. The Zoo features a collection of over 200 animals on 40 acres. It’s newest and most popular addition is the lion exhibit. Throughout the year, Utica Zoo is host to many social events/fundraisers for the entire family and include: Eggstravaganza, Wine in the Wilderness, Brewfest and Spooktacular.

General Park Regulations

• All city parks open at 9:00am and close at dusk
• No drugs or alcoholic beverages allowed in parks
• All animals must be leashed at all times
• No overnight parking in parking lots
• No loitering after dusk
• No littering