The Community
Syracuse and its environs
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in the "University Hill" section of Syracuse, a mid-sized cosmopolitan area with plentiful cultural and civic opportunities. The Places Rated Almanac ranks Syracuse among the top 10 percent of “Best Places to Live”. People from all over the world who settled in the area have enriched its diverse history. The diversity of ESF fits in well. You can learn more about the region in US Airways magazine, which called Syracuse the "Emerald City" in a 60-page feature in September 2007.
REGIONAL PROFILE
Location: Syracuse is located in Onondaga County in the geographic center of New York State, on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes. It is within a five-hour drive of New York City, Toronto, and the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Mountains.
Population: The Syracuse metropolitan area population is 732,000.
Terrain: Central New York boasts rolling hills, flat plains, abundant lakes, and waterfalls.
Climate: Four distinct seasons with average temperatures of 62 degrees in September, 24 degrees in January, 46 degrees in April and 72 degrees in July. The city receives about 36 inches of rain and 112 inches of snow annually.
Transportation: Syracuse is easily accessible by a variety of transportation means. It is located at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-90 (east-west) and I-81 (north-south). Syracuse's Hancock International Airport is served by six major airlines with approximately 200 passenger flights arriving and departing daily. Greyhound and Trailways provide inter-city, inter-state bus service passenger service while CENTRO services the city and suburban areas. Amtrak provides rail passenger service from the new William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center.
Communication: The area is served by one daily newspaper, four standard commercial television stations and one public broadcasting station, 19 AM and FM radio stations (including two Syracuse University campus stations), and one cable television system.
Education: ESF is one of eight colleges and universities located in Onondaga County. The Syracuse University campus is immediately adjacent to ESF and SUNY Upstate Medical University is located within easy walking distance. The county has 18 school districts comprising 76 elementary, 26 middle and 21 high schools.
RECREATION AND LEISURE
Shopping: There are eight major malls in the area. The closest to campus is the Carousel Center with 150 stores, a 12-screen cinema and restaurants. Armory Square, the downtown historic district, boasts a wide array of boutiques and specialty shops and nightspots. There are a variety of factory outlets and discount stores in other locations.
Recreation: There are more than 50 state, county and city parks and several nature centers, most within a short drive of campus. Central New York also has 40 golf courses and offers opportunities for boating, swimming, downhill and cross-country skiing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, and extensive trail systems. Lake Ontario and New York’s Finger Lakes are less than an hour’s drive and the Adirondack Park – the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi – is within a three-hour drive.
Sports: NCAA Division I collegiate sports are played at Syracuse University, including nationally ranked teams in basketball, football, and lacrosse. Nearby LeMoyne College hosts a Division I baseball program. The Syracuse SkyChiefs, an AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, play at MacArthur Stadium and the Syracuse Crunch hockey team, which plays downtown at the OnCenter, is an affiliate of the Columbus Bluejackets. There is horseracing at Vernon Downs or Finger Lakes Race track, both within driving distance; several area speedways host auto-racing events; and intercollegiate rowing is featured at the annual Regatta on Onondaga Lake in June. For years, Syracuse has been home to the New York State Special Olympics.
Culture/The Arts: The area boasts a wide variety of cultural organizations (many nationally recognized) and activities are a hallmark of the community. These include the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Syracuse Stage, Salt City Center for the Performing Arts, the Famous Artist Series, and the Syracuse Opera Company. The Everson Museum is within walking distance of campus, as is Syracuse University's Lowe Art Center. Other venues for the arts and entertainment include the Landmark Theatre, the OnCenter Complex, and the Empire Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Community Events: The area hosts a wealth of annual events including the New York State Fair, Lafayette Apple Festival, Coors Light Hot Air Balloon Fest, the M&T Jazz Fest, the Annual Rhythm and Blues Fest, Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival, the Skaneateles Festival, the Renaissance Festival, the $5 million Ultimate Fishing Derby, and Lights on the Lake.
For More Information: Try these websites:
