Westcott Reservoir facts for kids

The Westcott Reservoir was a large open reservoir that used to hold about 110 million gallons of water. It has since been replaced by two big tanks, each holding 32 million gallons, which supply water to the City of Syracuse in New York. When the reservoir was first built, it was outside the city. However, the city's border was extended to include it. In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided money to replace the old lining of the reservoir. By October 2005, the reservoir was empty.

Fun Activities and Safety

The Westcott Reservoir area has a big, open grassy hillside that slopes down. The north side, facing West Genesee Street, has the longest and steepest slope. This spot was very popular for sledding in the winter. Many people thought it was the best place for sledding in all of Syracuse, even though there were "No Sledding" signs.

Sledding Safety Concerns

Sadly, on January 10, 2009, a 12-year-old girl had a serious accident while sledding there. She was unable to stop and hit a parked car. Because of this sad event, the city of Syracuse decided to put up an orange fence around the reservoir. This was done to help stop sledding and keep everyone safe.

Other Sports and Activities

When hang gliding was a new sport, some people used to test their gliders by launching from the north side of the reservoir. However, this was not a safe place to launch, and some people were hurt.

On the west side of the reservoir, there are flatter areas that are used for sports like softball. Local schools, such as Westhill High School, also use these areas for cross-country running practices.

History of the Reservoir

The Westcott Reservoir was built a long time ago, in 1930.

In the 1960s and earlier, there was a flat, grassy area that went all the way around the reservoir, about 15 feet below the very top. This area became a popular place for people to hang out and relax.