15 Things we love about upper union

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​We know our neighborhood is a special place. Here are 15 reasons why.
  1. Great people - our neighborhood is filled with people who care about the area and are happy to help new residents feel at home. Talk to anyone who lives here and you’ll feel the love.
  2. Union Street - we have a diverse mix of businesses just a few blocks from our doorsteps. Come and visit one of the great restaurants or long-time service establishments on the street.
  3. Central Park - Whether it’s the ball fields, the new pool or just finding quiet time in nature, we have one of the best city parks in the entire state right next door. And our association is working to keep it that way.
  4. Walkable streets - The respected web service WalkScore® gives our neighborhood a walk score of 82, which places us in the “Very Walkable” range. As they say on their web site, “Walkable neighborhoods are one of the simplest and best solutions for the environment, our health, and our economy.”
  5. Beautiful homes - mostly developed in the first part of the 20th century, the sturdy homes in our neighborhood reflect building traditions of a time dominated by craftsmen and modest elegance. While the recent increases in value haven’t helped affordability, they reflect what people are willing to pay to live in a neighborhood like Upper Union.
  6. Howe Elementary School - the only public school within the boundaries of our neighborhood, it’s consistently ranked among the best elementary schools in the County. It’s been an icon in our neighborhood since 1912.
  7. Market 32 - the Golub family has done a lot to support this neighborhood, and a full-service grocery store in the neighborhood is an amenity that many urban areas lack.
  8. Flowers and flowering trees - our streets and “island” medians in boulevard streets are lined with flowering trees in the spring and colorful gardens planted by area residents that bloom through the summer and fall. The flowering trees that Association volunteers planted in 2024 were particularly striking this spring.
  9. The Central Park Rose Garden - Speaking of flowers: with more than 2,000 rose bushes, a fountain, stream and ponds, the Rose Garden is a beautiful and inspiring haven from the world any time of year, and it’s right at the entrance to Central Park.
  10. Stores within walking distance - did we mention Market 32? We also have two drug stores, banks, two Stewart’s Shops and other convenience stores, national fast food chain restaurants and discount stores, all right in the neighborhood. Walk or drive - it will only take a minute to get there.
  11. Tacos and Margaritas Cantina on Union St. finally opened - we thought it would never happen!
  12. Sustainable Living Center (aka Central Park Greenhouses) - yet another treasure in Central Park. They grow most of the flowers you see in our neighborhood’s public areas, host the Roots and Wisdom vegetable gardens, have a children’s garden, are home to a major composting facility - we could go on, but just go visit and see for yourself.
  13. Close to downtown - it’s just a few minutes from the neighborhood via Union Street or Eastern Parkway. There are buses, and the regional bike and hike trail network now extends right into Central Park. And, we are within easy road access to the entire region.
  14. Close to natural areas - it’s a luxury to be so close to wooded areas and streams and still be in the city. Even the Mohawk river isn’t that far.
  15. The Upper Union Neighborhood Association - and all of YOU who make the neighborhood a great place to live, work and visit!
Did we miss any? If you know of anything else that makes Upper Union a great neighborhood, let us know.

​meeting notice

Watch for details on our Summer Picnic, coming soon! The next Upper Union Neighborhood Association general meeting will be held in September. 
Our Spring Food Drive was a great success.  We collected ten carloads of nonperishable food for Schenectady Shares, a local group helping support 28 local food pantries in Schenectady County. All food collected was distributed through Schenectady Shares to benefit local food pantries. Let us know if you have questions or want to help with future efforts. 

 Your generosity helps feed others.  
Upper Union Spring Cleanup 

Our Annual Spring Cleanup was held on Saturday, April 25. Volunteers from the neighborhood and from Union College's Field Hockey team covered the neighborhood on a cool Saturday morning to pick up litter and rake out public areas across the neighborhood. The D3 Liberty League co-champions showed they can succeed in the community just like they do on the field, and of course many of our reliable association members pitched in as well. A few days earlier volunteers from National Grid tackled Central Park and gave us a boost at the Schenectady Environmental Education Center. Thanks to Market 32, National Grid, the City of Schenectady and Union College's Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach for their support. 

Don't forget - drive 25! 

With the warmer weather we are seeing an increase in speeding and other unsafe driving. Last year the City speed limit was lowered to 25 mph on all streets in our neighborhood. SPD patrols are out to make sure that drivers observe the limit and don't put our kids or seniors at risk. Please be considerate of your neighbors - slow down!
© 2026 Upper Union Neighborhood Association