A Brief History of Russell Park

submitted by Marilyn Kaltoff Daz IHS 1971

Four generations of Ilion residents can be grateful for the generosity of Samuel T. Russell for his gift of over 160 acres of woodland to our village. In 1924, it became Albert N. Russell Park, a memorial to his father, "to be used forever for park and recreation purposes."

Albert N. Russell, born in Oneida county, moved to Virginia as a young man. He became involved in public works in Washington, D.C. Prior to the Civil War, he was active in the anti-secessionist movement. When his Northern sympathies became dangerous, he returned to N.Y. state, entering the employ of E. Remington, in charge of general construction. Later, he opened a retail lumber business, which became A.N. Russell & Sons, woodworking and manufacturer of store fixtures. Public spirited, he served on the Water board during the development of Ilion's reservoir system and supervised the construction of the Ilion Library.

Samuel T. Russell followed his father into the woodworking business, building factories in Ilion and eventually becoming manager of Clark & Baker, a local manufacturer of office and library equipment. After its merger with Library Bureau, with offices in New York and Boston, Russell served as its president from 1910-1920. He was president of Ilion Loan and Manufacturer's Bank for many years, an Ilion Trustee and County Supervisor. Camp Russell, at White Lake, was his gift to the Boy Scouts.

At the time of its donation, the park lands had been logged off, leaving very few large trees. Ilion Fish & Game Club members planted hundreds of pine trees in the park. Russell gave over $25,000 to develop the park. On the site of today's soccer field, a quarter mile cinder track was built encircling a combined football and baseball field. The park road with two entrances and the gravel "horseshoe" trail were constructed. Picnic grounds, toilet facilities, and horseshoe pits were built. A caretaker was hired. A pavilion, with a dance floor, could be reserved for parties.

The Russell grandchildren donated a 95' fir tree, with a 27" base, as a flag pole situated on a knoll, by the north entrance. Its huge flag could be seen for miles down the valley. Cannons, from the War of 1812 to the Spanish-American War, stood near the upper field until they were donated to a scrap drive in WWII.

In 1926, Russell Day was held to honor Ilion's benefactor with a parade, speeches, the Moose state drill team, ball games, and races for the men, women and children, a band concert and dancing.

Through the years, many changes have occurred in the park. A band shell for summer concerts once occupied the upper field, near the lighted sledding hill, in the "bowl". Picnic and playground areas have come and gone. The area next to the lower pavilion was one time flooded for ice-skating.

In 1970, an extensive multi-use plan for the park was drawn up by an architectual firm. The Ilion Jaycees laid out trails on the south and east sides of the park, some now marked for skiing. Additional playground and picnic equipment is added periodically. Several Boy Scout Eagle projects have enhanced the facilities.

The Friends of Russell Park, is a group of citizens formed in 1997 with the cause of preserving, maintaining and protecting the parks natural gifts.

Who uses this parks Tiny tots on the slides and swings... boy and girl soccer and volleyball players... family picnickers on a sultry summer night... skiers having a winter cookout... artists and poets seeking to describe its beauty through their medium ... children hoping to glimpse the resident deer runners, hikers, walkers and strollers, dog walkers, trail bike riders bird watchers and flower lovers... snow boarders and sledders celebrants of birthdays, reunions and the joy of life. For each involved, Russell Park provides the activity of play, relaxation, family gathering, communion with nature or just plain solitude so needed for the well-being of our communities residents. The value of this spectacular place to our people is immeasurable!

Today, as throughout the past 75 years, Russell Park has served us all. as an oasis of tranquillity in an increasingly hectic world. This benefit is what Samuel T. Russell provided for the community he loved: then and now and in the future.

THANK YOU MR. RUSSELL!

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