Local Parks
The City of Syracuse Department of Parks and Recreation is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation. Their goal is to provide opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities to participate and attend programs/events together. Click here to visit the Inclusive Recreation page on the Syracuse Parks Department website!
Accessible Playgrounds
Wegmans Playground Onondaga Lake Park
Onondaga County Parks worked with the nationally acclaimed, non-profit Boundless Playground organization to create a magical place where all our children and adults-the fully able and those who have physical, sensory and developmental disabilities-can play and grow together. Learn more!
Fully-Accessible Playground at ARISE at the Farm
Our playground is unique in that the entire surface is poured rubber, making it possible for kids who use wheelchairs to move and play independently. Our playground has the most durable state of the art equipment, offering outstanding movement and sensory experiences. Learn more!
Inclusive Playground at the North Syracuse Early Education Program (NSEEP)
The new inclusive playground at the North Syracuse Early Education Program (NSEEP) stimulates all of the senses and is wheelchair-accessible for children with physical disabilities. Not only do children have a space to build their physical and social-emotional skills, but they can also feel united with all children. Learn more!
Inclusive Recreation at Local Parks
Wheelchair Basketball at Magnarelli Community Center
The Parks Department, in collaboration with Move Along, offers a wheelchair basketball at Magnarelli Community Center. Learn more!
Adaptive Nordic Skiing at Sunnycrest Park
There are two adaptive nordic ski units (one adult-size and one youth-size) at the Sunnycrest Park Winter Lodge. Open on weekends when adequate winter conditions permit! Learn more!
Beach Chairs at Green Lakes State Park
Thanks to a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a Hippocampe Beach/All-Terrain wheelchair is now available at Green Lakes State Park to access beach and trails. The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first come, first serve basis from 11am-7pm. Please check with the lifeguards at the beach for availability. Learn more!
Monday Mile Loops
Monday Miles are accessible walking trails that are marked in various locations throughout Central New York. It’s a great way to increase physical activity and connection with others. Learn more!
The Creekwalk
The Creekwalk Phase 2 project added 2.2 miles of new trail from downtown Syracuse to Kirk Park, making a total of 4.8 miles of paved trail now linking the lakefront, downtown, Near West side and South Side of Syracuse. It was important to the City to make the trail accessible to all. The trail is 13-feet wide, paved and has accessible connections at all sidewalk intersections, including ramps and warning strips. A chair charging station will be installed in 2021 at Armory Square near the middle of the trail to allow extended chair use. Additional plans underway include adding accessible kayak/canoe locations that will connect the Creekwalk to Onondaga Creek and the Inner Harbor.” -Russ Houck, City of Syracuse architect
Charging Stations for Power Wheelchairs
Power wheelchair charging stations will soon be installed near the Creekwalk, Kirk Park, Armory Square, and Onondaga Lake Park. Stayed tuned!
Inclusive Recreation Resource Center (IRRC)
The Inclusive Recreation Resource Center headquartered at SUNY Cortland houses numerous agencies in New York (and beyond) that you can search by activity, region, agency, town and find detailed descriptions and photos of each location. Check out the IRRC to learn about accessibility information at local parks!
Fitness Inclusion Network
The Fitness Inclusion Network (Fit-IN) is a cross-institutional collaboration in Central New York and beyond committed to expanding access and furthering conversations on inclusion in outdoor recreation, team sports, mindful movement, and personal fitness for people of all ability levels. Check out the Fit-IN website and social media sites for helpful resources! Enjoy!
