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Nicholas J. Pirro, County Executive - Robert Geraci, Commissioner
Pratt's Falls

New Events Coming to Syracuse...

  • 2008 Toyota US Open of Watercross - May 31 & June 1 - Onondaga Lake Park                             The Toyota US Open of Watercross is expected to draw one of the largest gatherings of competitors in the country; participants are expected to travel from all over the country in pursuit of the champion title and cash purse of over $10,000. Click here for more info.
  • TriAmerica Triathlon - June 28 & 29 - Oneida Shores Park
  • Syracuse HydroFest - July 11 - 13 - Onondaga Lake Park (Willow Bay) & Inner Harbor                The Hydroplanes are returning. Click here for more info.

 

What's Next...Parks for Tomorrow II...

Parks for Tomorrow is the theme for early 21st century investments in the Onondaga County Parks system, with Phase II addressing improvements to six properties and highlighted by upgrades to visitor and animal features of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The Legislature approved five of the six projects in late 2007, with nearly $2.3 million of grant support offsetting a portion of the $12 million venture.

             

The Zoo will see pedestrian friendly repairs made to a courtyard worn by twenty years of steady use, Primate Island reclaimed into an exciting display with a rotating variety of monkeys, and the elephant facilities upgraded to assure our stature as one of the world’s premier pachyderm breeding institutions.

             

Investments in Oneida Shores roadways, parking areas, boat launch amenities including fishing tournament docking and restrooms, plus the adjacent campgrounds, will assure enjoyment by anglers, with beach goers and Arrowhead Lodge customers receiving greater value through playground equipment and landscaping upgrades in their respective activity areas.

             

Lodges in the forest parks are in high demand.  Camp Brockway at Pratt’s Falls, a circa 1949 building, needs drainage, masonry, and kitchen repairs.  In addition, WPA era infrastructure along the North Rim Trail will be repaired from storm damages. Highland Forest’s modern Skyline Lodge, one of the jewels of Parks for Tomorrow I, needs to be landscaped to provide optimal use for weddings and large group functions.

             

Onondaga Lake Park will benefit from renovations and expansion at colorful Wegmans Playground and continued repair of the crumbling Griffin Stadium columns.  The sold-out public marina will be modernized and expanded so that access to the rejuvenated waters of Onondaga Lake can be further enjoyed by residents, an exploding market of bass fishermen, and Erie Canalway transient boaters.

 

Media Contact Information...

Questions regarding Onondaga County Parks should be directed to:

For Rosamond Gifford Zoo information:

For specific park information: