Onondaga County residents now have easier access to a creek that stretches dozens of miles through the region.
Local officials this week debuted a new pavilion and outlook at Syracuse's Meachem Field that grants entry to the once inaccessible Onondaga Creek. Visitors to the waterway, which flows from Tully through downtown before emptying into Onondaga Lake, were previously forced to be creative to access to the creek.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh joked at a launch event Friday that visitors used to have to jump over a fence to gain access, but now they can stroll through the entrance to paddle out on a canoe or kayak, like he has done.
"This is just the latest example of ways in which we’re trying to re-orient the community and re-engage with the creek," Walsh said.
LOVING OUR PARKS 🌳 Today, #Syracuse Mayor Walsh helped unveil a new pavilion, overlook and kayak/canoe access point to Onondaga Creek in Meachem Field in the Valley https://t.co/PNRUzLXINZ via @Nextdoor pic.twitter.com/Hw6UwMNGls
— syracuse1848 (@Syracuse1848) September 16, 2022
Walsh pointed to earlier projects, such as the Onondaga Creekwalk.
The $505,000 project at Meachemeachamm was funded with $30,000 city funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, and a $475,000 state grant.
Also this week, Syracuse Common Councilors took action on a proposal to develop canoe access utilizing state land in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor.
