Hiawatha Lake Ready for Pond Hockey Tournament

Willow and Reflection in Upper Onondaga Park

Arched Bridge and Willows

Wedding Photos in the Park

Pavilion and Willows

Upper Onondaga Park Bathhouse with Window Details

The Little Plot I Tend in Upper Onondaga Park

Urban Park Architecture near Upper Onondaga Park

Bottles in the Mud in Hiawatha Lake, Upper Onondaga Park

Draining Hiawatha Lake in Upper Onondaga Park

Upper Onondaga Park's Stone Bridge and Willows

Gazebo in Upper Onondaga Park

Duck Eggs and Golf Ball in Upper Onondaga Park

This is the second year Mrs. Duck has nested in the middle of tall ornamental grasses in Upper Onondaga Park.

Willows Coloring Up in Upper Onondaga Park

Upper Onondaga Lake Park: Masonry, Willows and Snow

Upper Onondaga Park Stone Bridge and Indecisive Ice

Upper Onondaga Park Gazebo and Duck

The Light, The Light!

Celebrating this glorious fall!

The stone arch bridge and giant trees in our nearby park, Upper Onondaga Park.

Mountain Goat Run 2014

After Mountain Top, coming down the steep hill to Onondaga Ave. 

Visible above are still other runners crossing Mountain Top.

Landscap Details Revealed in Lower Onondaga Park

A city crew removed brush, cleaned up this old stone retaining wall, and planted shrubs and perennials last year. The building is still boarded up.

The loss of so many people to the suburbs in the last century meant Syracuse now lacks the population density to support and maintain the parks as they once were. One can spot old carriage paths, rock gardens and grottos, ball fields, lamp posts, overgrown plantings, and concession and community buildings everywhere. The parks have character. There are pleasant surprises to be found in every one of them.

It is easy to imagine that once upon a time far greater numbers of people enjoyed long rides, strolls, and picnics in these gems. Sheer numbers meant one felt safe at any hour of the day or night.

People who are still here love their parks, form associations for their preservation and maintenance, keep them picked up, advocate for them, raise money for bulbs, plants and landscaping, restore and repurpose buildings, and create annual events that get people out! They are passionate!

The city will support these efforts, deliver compost upon request, pick up brush and trash, take away diseased and dead trees, contract for mowing. It opens the pools and reserves shelters for family reunions.