NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS AND PLAYGROUND AT UPPER ONONDAGA PARK

NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS AND PLAYGROUND AT UPPER ONONDAGA PARK

Published on August 06, 2024

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, members of the Syracuse Common Council and Parks Commissioner Tony Williams celebrated the grand opening of the newly installed pickleball courts and playground at Upper Onondaga Park today with pickleball lessons, clinics and open play.

"Upper Onondaga Park was one of my favorite places to be growing up in the Strathmore area and it holds some of my most cherished memories," said Mayor Walsh. "The addition of dedicated pickleball courts and a more inclusive playground, as the Hiawatha Lake wall reconstruction nears completion, will ensure the Park is home to many more memorable moments for generations of Syracuse families to come."

The $500,000 pickleball courts and playground projects are made possible by a combination of City Capital Improvement Program funds and a $150,000 Dormitory Authority of the State of New York grant secured by Assemblyman William Magnarelli.

"Pickleball courts and playgrounds - sounds like all generations will benefit from these renovations at Upper Onondaga Park," said Assemblyman Magnarelli. "Everyone Enjoy!"

The pickleball court project consisted of enhancing surfaces and converting two of the eight tennis courts into designated pickleball courts, adapting two for multiuse play and keeping two dedicated for tennis. New fencing upgrades were installed. The courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no charge to use the courts. The Planning team is currently reviewing feedback on proposed ideas suggested for the remaining two tennis courts on Arlington Ave.

The playground project incorporated separate structures for different age groups: a dedicated area for children aged 2-5 and larger climbers and lookout towers for children aged 5-12, along with an assortment of more inclusive play features.

The space now incorporates a variety of elements, including play panels, steppers, slides, a webscape climber, and a wheelchair accessible glider. The new swing set includes eight total swings: four belt swings, two tot swings, one generation swing and one inclusive swing.

The improvements aligned with the ongoing reconstruction of Upper Onondaga Park Hiawatha Lake wall, scheduled to be nearing completion in the coming months. The Lake wall project, an investment of over $1 million, involves reconstructing and repointing the deteriorating stone wall, rebuilding the channel and sidewalk bridge adjacent to the bathhouse, and reconstructing the ramp area. The project aims to secure the long-term preservation of these historical features.

For questions about Park projects, email [email protected].

To register for upcoming pickleball introductory lessons and open play visit https://syracuse.recdesk.com. To learn about Pickleball visit https://usapickleball.org/ or https://cnypickleball.com/.

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