CNY Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Author: Outdoors on www.YourCNY.com
Summary: Recreation in and around Syracuse and Central New York. Online guide to local Parks and Outdoor Recreation, including Onondaga Lake Park, Beaver Lake, Highland Forest and Jamesville Beach.
Syracuse and CNY Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Onondaga Lake Park near Syracuse NY
315-453-6712
No matter what the weather, there is always something to do at Onondaga Lake Park. Located in Liverpool, New York, it features seven miles of shoreline and more than two miles of running and walking trails. Opportunities for water-based activities include fishing, row boating and kayaking. From mid-April through the end of October, park visitors can enjoy the first and largest concrete Skatepark in central New York (16,900 sq ft.), where both skates and skateboards are available for rental. If you are looking for something a little bit more relaxing, you can rent one of the many different styles of bicycles the park has to offer. Their newest ride, a conference bike, sits up to seven people. This park is also an ideal place if you have children or pets, thanks to the Wegman's Good Dog Park and Playground, which is 70 percent handicap accessible.
The Salt Museum, which is located on the shore of Onondaga Lake, includes a number of exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can learn how salt was made and distributed in Syracuse during the early 1900's. Open daily, May through October, and is free.
Beaver Lake Park
315-638-2519 
Located off of East Lake Road in Baldwinsville, New York, Beaver Lake Park is a quiet 600-acre nature sanctuary that is home to more than 200 species of bird and more than 800 varieties of plants. Its 200-acre lake is a migratory stopover to thousands of Canadian geese. There are nine miles of maintained walking trails and up to seven different paths to choose from. Visitors can rent or bring their own canoe or kayak to enjoy a peaceful ride around the lake. Beaver Lake Nature Center offers more than 400 annual programs.
Highland Forest Park
315-683-5550Located in Fabius, New York, just south of Syracuse, Highland Forest is the oldest park in Onondaga County. It features more than 20 miles of trails and more than 6 square miles of rugged forested terrain for visitors to explore. Activities also include mountain biking, horseback riding, and youth group camping. Open June through August on the weekends, the park's Pioneer Museum depicts the history of Highland Forest from the late 1700's to the present through photos and artifacts.
Jamesville Beach Park
315-435-5252Located just 15 minutes outside Syracuse, Jamesville Beach Park offers the cool, clear water of the Jamesville Reservoir for visitors to enjoy. With over 140 yards of life-guarded beach front, this park is a safe and friendly place to take the family for the day. Visitors can rent row boats, canoes, kayaks, or paddle boats or fish along the reservoir or in Butternut Creek. The park also offers facilities for picnicking, volleyball, horseshoes, and an 18-hole disc golf course.