Proctor purchased about 400 acres (160 ha) of farmland in 1904 and contracted the Olmstead brothers to design a city parks system.

It has 100 acres (40 ha) of land with baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a playground and running trail.

[10] Roscoe Conkling Park is located along Oneida Street and the Memorial Parkway totaling up to 625 acres (253 ha).

The park includes the Utica Zoo, Valley View Golf Course, Val Bialas Ski and Sled Chalet, Parkway Recreation Center, John Mott Tennis Courts, South Woods switchback trails and several monuments.

[10] The Utica Zoo is situated on the park's grounds and features over 200 animals on forty acres of land.

It offers a rope tow, chair lift, night skiing, an ice rink and chalet with a snack bar.

The Parkway Recreation Center, also known as the Edward A. Hanna Recreation Center, contains two modified basketball courts, a playground, weight training station, exercise equipment, walking track, tennis courts, computer room, conference area, and the Utica Sport Hall of Fame.