Poster Image

Strathmore's Park

$20

Item#: 2020SYR11

Purchase Details

11x17-inches, printed on heavy weight (100-pound) Hammermill cover paper. We package each print with a piece of chipboard in a clear plastic sleeve.

You also receive…

An information page with photos of the artist and poet, and hand-written comments from each.

Medium- and large-format posters are available by custom order. Contact us for details.

Poem Inspiration Location

Strathmore's Park

poster information

Description

Strathmore's park for all
Where a reservoir once reigned
Gazebo stands tall

This haiku celebrates beautiful Onondaga Park in the Strathmore neighborhood in the city of Syracuse. Formerly a reservoir, it was converted to a park in the late 1890's. It contains a modern swimming pool, children's playground, basketball and tennis courts, has hosted running and bicycle events through its tree lined roadways, and is open to all.

The park is known for its iconic gazebo where band concerts were once held, and where many prom and wedding pictures have been taken. The gazebo stands in the man-made Hiawatha Lake where the large reservoir once was located. Our family home is on a street formerly known as Reservoir Street — next to the park. The beauty of today's gazebo celebrates the vision of its creators.

Every artwork I create requires learning. This time I needed to learn about the “Strathmore park for all.” I was very curious when I received the haiku because I was unfamiliar with the park's history. First, I learned that it was really named Onondaga Park. I was fascinated by the online photos of people enjoying the park for concerts, swimming, races, family activities and more.

Next was my visit. I enlisted the help of two women who were walking dogs. They directed me to park on a side street and then walk in. I immediately fell in love with the beauty: the waterfall; trees; stone bridge; water; the view of the neighborhood and the gazebo. After many rough drafts and another visit, I decided to create a textured collage featuring the gazebo within the park's setting... A very peaceful place!