There are local parks in urban areas all across the United States — local parks that offer benches to rest on away from the bustling street, trees that block your office building from sight, and paths for a calming walk. But these spaces offer so much more than what the eye can see. They are intertwined with stories, community, and history, and Thornden Park and the E.M. Mills Rose Garden provide all of that.
The Syracuse Parks Conservancy (SPC) envisions greenspaces to be important venues for community events, sustainability, and education. With the help of park associations throughout Syracuse, such as the Thornden Park Association (TPA) and the Syracuse Rose Society (SRS), these visions have come to life. For example, the rose garden has been a sustainable garden for the past three years (Sonia Kragh, in discussion, November 2025). Without the members and volunteers of the TPA and SRS, the 76 acres of this park would not be the same.
When I grow up, I want to be just like the volunteers of the Syracuse Rose Society. Almost each member has been volunteering for 8+ years, and what brings them back every year are the people. The feeling of community and family. A couple of days a week they get together, welcoming any newcomers, to work on the rose beds to keep the garden beautiful and accessible for everyone. Fertilizing, planting, weeding, pruning, educating, and celebrating the garden are just a few things out of a long list of work the volunteers do. Pictured here is the break they take together. With baked goods and lots of laughter, they sit and talk about life, grandchildren, and of course, roses.
"People show up because they like it, even if it is bad weather. In the spring we will be so excited that we are here even if it snows a little. We are still planting roses if the ground is workable. It’s a little nuts." - Sonia Kragh
Sonia Kragh, a consulting rosarian and volunteer for the garden, says the garden is a place to heal, not only physically but also mentally. "Those who are healing come up and cry. We sit with them when they cry when we are working here," she says. The rose garden is a safe place to come because of the volunteers. They not only tend to the roses, but the park visitors as well. The roses are the second most beautiful part of the garden, because nothing is more beautiful than the hearts of the volunteers, like Sonia.
Kate Auwaerter currently serves as the preservation planner for the city of Syracuse, and as president of the TPA. Her work on historical preservation gives her insight into the history of Syracuse, especially in Thornden Park. “We have amazing bones, you know, a structure skeleton that we can work with," she says. Rather than tearing down and starting anew, Kate builds upon the already existing features of the park to enhance them. By doing so, Kate hopes to give people the best quality experience.
Photo to the left: Courtesy of Sarah Pallo/City of Syracuse.
The carriage house, for example, a place where horse-drawn carriages were once kept, is now a space for exercise classes. It was given the honorary name of Miranda Hine, the founder of the TPA, in 2023. The amphitheater, built on land once home to a spring-fed trout pond, is now the location of community gatherings. By continuing to preserve the history of the park, Syracuse residents can make new histories, too - and if anyone knows what they are doing, it is Kate Auwaerter.
Thornden Park and the E.M. Mills Rose Garden offer so much to the Syracuse community. However, these spaces would be hard to enjoy if it were not for the TPA and the SRS full of members who truly care for the well-being of the park and community. Moving to a new place, like I have for college, it is hard to feel a connection to the area. I miss home and all the familiarities that come with it, but volunteering for a weekend, with both associations has changed that. It has made me feel like I am a part of something larger than myself. If all else fails and I feel lonely and lost, I know there is a place I can go, a place where I have met so many new people who all gave me a smile. When spring arrives, I cannot wait to join them again. Go visit your local green space and take it all in. Admire the work others are doing for your community. Heck - go and join them sometime!