Since 1931 the historic Steinmetz Park, named for German mathematician and electrical engineer and former Union professor Charles Proteus Steinmetz, has provided 45 acres of land to the recreational vitality of Schenectady. Located on Lenox Road, the park includes a small playground and a pond for fishing. In an attempt to attract more people, there are plans for $650,000 in renovations in the coming year to the park’s bathhouse, which would mean functioning restrooms, a concession stand, a meeting room and a pavilion.
Public works were an area of focus for Steinmetz when he served as president of the Schenectady City Council, so it is appropriate that a park remains in his honor. Schenectady resident and Union student Caroline Staccone ‘15 sees the park as “a great way to preserve Steinmetz’s memory since he was interested in ecology and botany.” In the scientific world, Steinmetz may best be known for his work with alternating current circuit theory, which contributed to work at General Electric, a key industry in Schenectady. His involvement extended to Union, since he was a Union professor and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, which was one of the first houses to be wired with electricity.
Steinmetz’s influence upon the city of Schenectady, and the world of science in general, was widespread; at Union, the Steinmetz Symposium honors his memory and important intellectual contributions.
With all of the space and historical context the area would seem to be ideal for spending time outdoors in the community; however, many Union students have never even heard of the park, let alone visited it. The reason for this may be the deteriorating quality of the neighborhood and lack of trails or athletic fields.
MaryGrace Wajda ‘15 has spent time in the park and stated, “It’s really not much of a park, just sort of an open space with some trees.” Union staff member Mirella Urbano described how beautiful the park was years ago when she used to take her children there to play and fish, but her concern now is that “the neighborhood has changed and it is really not as safe, so I probably wouldn’t feel comfortable going there today.”
When told about the plans for renovation, the reaction was optimistic all around. Wajda commented that “this would be an effective way to attract more people… but I think steps would need to be taken to make sure that it doesn’t turn into a haven for crime.” Taking into consideration these concerns, the renovations may be a way to revamp the park’s image and make it more popular for families in the area. Staccone also felt that this positive attention could “draw more attention to a place that many people overlook as more of a piece of land than a park.” Many feel that with a prime location between many residential areas and a new look on the horizon, Steinmetz park has the potential to once again light up the Schenectady community and preserve the memory of an influential figure in the city’s and Union’s history.
another Burrell park ????.......the city is not ready for this .......until the drugs are flushed out......liken to Vermont and Albany's latest sweep.....now that's doing a great job...
another Burrell park ????.......the city is not ready for this .......until the drugs are flushed out......liken to Vermont and Albany's latest sweep.....now that's doing a great job...
and in this area.....NOTTA......why ?
gumbas
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"In an attempt to attract more people, there are plans for $650,000 in renovations in the coming year to the park’s bathhouse, which would mean functioning restrooms, a concession stand, a meeting room and a pavilion."
A City with $5 million in debt, $26 million of the total collected taxes (around $36 million) are going into the police department....where is $650,000 coming from?????
Lame idea with absolutely no thought put into it to further decimate the taxbase.
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I don't understand how refurbishing an existing building and adding a pavilion and meeting room can cost $650,000, let alone why anyone would think it's a good idea to do so.
The pavilion at Central Park, there's an ugly chain link fence around it, visible unsightly trash cans in the back, and a ripped plastic covering. Yet picnic tables are stored outside for the winter instead of under the roof. I guess some group rents it from time to time so the tables can't be stored inside. Maybe this lavish outlay will end up being for the benefit of some private group?
I wouldn't mind them restocking the pond with more fish, something other then sun fish. Also remove the cattails that surround a good portion of the pond. Other then that it really isn't all that bad of a park, no way $650,000 is needed for that park
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It isn't a bad park, that's probably why they feel the need to spend obscene amounts of money to destroy any history or charm it retains. Those WPA stone walls and that pond are picturesque now and just need a little maintenance. Functional bathrooms will be used for functions like shooting up, dying in, etc. Unless of course they are renovated and then locked up so only whatever select group they plan on giving the park to can use them now and then.
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