Nearly a century ago, Adelaide Salisbury Pass envisioned something extraordinary for the City of Syracuse — a living sanctuary where nature, education, and community could grow together. In 1925, she gifted 13.8 acres in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood to honor the memory of her late husband, James Pass. Her dream became the James Pass Arboretum, officially established in 1927.

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Inspired by Boston’s renowned Arnold Arboretum, the park was carefully designed with the guidance of the State College of Forestry, now SUNY-ESF, as an outdoor museum of trees and woody plants. Winding paths, vibrant shrubs, and a peaceful pond created a place where families could gather, students could learn, and residents could experience the beauty of Central New York’s native landscape firsthand.

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For years, the arboretum served as a living classroom — a place of discovery and reflection where the community connected with nature in meaningful ways.

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But history brought challenges. Following the stock market crash and the dissolution of the Syracuse Planning Commission in 1932, the arboretum’s original mission slowly faded. Over time, the once carefully curated botanical collection became less defined, and the space gradually transitioned into a traditional city park.

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Yet the heart of Adelaide Pass’s vision still remains.

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Today, we're happy to say that we ARE bringing that vision back to life. The James Pass Arboretum is now a Level 1 accredited Arboretum with transformations to come. You can see the vision for the future in the plans below.

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The arboretum continues to stand as a treasured green space in Syracuse and a reminder of the power of generosity, community, and the enduring importance of preserving nature in our city. Its story is not just about the past; it is about the opportunity we have now to protect, restore, and reimagine this historic landscape for future generations.