The Westcott Reservoir was an open
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...
that has since been replaced by twin 32 million gallon tanks, serving the
City of Syracuse, New York. The reservoir's location was originally outside the city limits but a
shoestring annexation
Municipal annexation is a process by which a municipality expands its boundaries into nearby, usually adjacent, unincorporated areas. This has been a common response of cities to urbanization in neighboring areas. It may be done because the neighbo ...
extended the city border to include it. A
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...
(EPA) grant in 2005 was to replace the deteriorated
Hypalon
Hypalon is a chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber (CSM) noted for its resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes, and ultraviolet light. It was a product of DuPont Performance Elastomers, a subsidiary of DuPont. Hypalon as it i ...
lining; as of October 2005 the reservoir stood empty.
Recreation
An open grassy hillside descends from the reservoir all around, with the north end facing onto West Genesee Street having the tallest and longest slope, popular for
sledding
Sledding, sledging or sleighing is a winter sport typically carried out in a prone or seated position on a vehicle generically known as a sled (North American), a sledge (British), or a sleigh. It is the basis of three Olympic sports: luge, skele ...
in the winter. The reservoir is considered to be the best place for sledding in the entire Syracuse area, despite the "No Sledding" signs posted along the fence at the top of the hill. On January 10, 2009, 12-year-old Taylor Denson was sledding down the reservoir when she could not stop herself and slammed head first into a parked car. She sustained severe head injuries and died three days later. As a result, the city of Syracuse proposed that an orange fence be put up around the reservoir to further prohibit sledding, and to keep people safe.
Auburn girl dies of injuries in weekend sledding accident
WSYR, Jan. 13, 2009. Web, Jan. 13, 2009.
Hang-gliders
Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame covered ...
, when the sport was new, used to test fly off the North side although there is no safe direction to go; at least one hang-glider has been seriously injured upon ensnaring in power lines over West Genesee St.
Semi-flat areas along the West side are used for softball
Softball is a game similar to baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hanc ...
and other sports. Local schools, such as Westhill High School, often hold practices on the premises for cross Country.
History
The reservoir was built in 1930.
In the 1960s and before, a flat grassy terrace that rings the reservoir about below the top, became a popular hangout area. Marijuana was occasionally smoked with some impunity there, any law enforcement arriving would have a long steep climb and be seen from far above. A fence was erected just outside the ring roadway to prevent access in 1973. However, that also prevents use of the terrace by jogger
Jogging is a form of trotting or running at a slow or leisurely pace. The main intention is to increase physical fitness with less stress on the body than from faster running but more than walking, or to maintain a steady speed for longer periods ...
s and as a staging area for the sledding in winter. The area is also the site of illegal joyriding for local teenagers.
See also
* List of reservoirs and dams in New York
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
* Woodland Reservoir
References
External links
* http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv2507.php has a picture from the South. The terrace ring is visible.
* https://web.archive.org/web/20051214143112/http://newtimes.rway.com/1998/best1998/sports.htm Rated "Best Place to Sled" by a local newspaper.
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Reservoirs in New York (state)
Protected areas of Onondaga County, New York
Reservoirs in Onondaga County, New York