Onondaga Lake Park
Green Lakes State Park
Syracuse University Neighborhoods
Highland Forest Park
Beaver Lake
Erie Canal Towpath
Upper Onondaga Park
Onondaga Lake Park
 
This park is claimed to be the county's most popular park. It consists of 5 kilometers of fairly straight,
virtually flat paths. There are separate paths for pedestrians and wheeled vehicles, plus bathrooms and water
fountains along the way. A marked out and back 8 kilometer course is available starting near the yacht club and
heading north. Because
the paths are close to the lake, it will often feel 10 degrees F cooler (make a note for winter) than in the rest
of the area.
Directions: From Syracuse, take I-81 N and exit at the Liverpool off ramp. Take 370 in the left lane, and the
park entrance will be on the left just before the Village of Liverpool. (Currently under construction, this entrance
is closed. You must continue north, and make a left at the next light.)
Cost: Free! Parking is also free, but hard to find during good weather.
Open: Year round, dawn to dusk.
OLP Area Training Courses
Green Lakes State Park
 
Green Lakes is a scenic park with many flavors. One can stick to the roads and run rolling hills, or tour
the (mostly) unpaved flat loop around the two lakes (about 3 miles). There are many trails to explore that
spur off of the lake path.
No bikes are allowed on the lake paths. The roads leading around the park also
provides for a good distance workout with rolling hills, and at the
north end, one can hook up with the Erie Canal Towpath.
Directions: From Fayetteville, take East Genesee Street east and proceed outside of the village. The
park entrance is located a few miles on the left. Another entrance is located due north, on Route 298.
Cost: $6.00 per car, May through October, $49 for a seasonal pass.
Open: Year round.
Syracuse University Neighborhoods
 
The University area and the area to its immediate southeast is the hotbed of local
distance running, where Kathrine Switzer pounded the pavement with Arnie Briggs
in preparation for Boston in 1967, where the Syracuse Freihofer's Run for Women (1990-1992)
and the Syracuse Festival of Races (1993-present) have hosted Lynn Jennings (twice), Khalid
Khannouchi (four times), and other great athletes year after year, and where the top collegians
competing in the Big East Indoor T&F Championships do their warm-ups and cool-downs. The
streets and roads are very runner-friendly, since these neighborhoods are heavily populated
by walkers and runners, and the residents have seen runners out there in big numbers for
decades. There is a GREAT availability of both flat and hilly routes owing to the glacial
drumlins and the mix of streets running around them as well as up and down them. There are
two outdoor high school tracks (Nottingham HS and CBA), the SU outdoor track, and SU's
indoor facility in Manley Field House (see the
Chargers Indoor Practices available to Chargers
members during selected practices throughout the winter).
Run with others and follow common sense safety rules for running in an urban setting.
Directions: From Downtown Syracuse, take I-81 S to Exit 17. Make a left at the light at the end of the ramp onto
State Street, then make the next left onto Brighton Avenue. Go up the hill, and make the next left onto Thurber. Proceed
down Thurber until you reach Comstock, and make a left. The intersection of Colvin and Comstock, which is the
southwest edge of the
University section, also marks the location of Manley Field House.
Cost: Free! Observe parking regulations.
Open: Year round.
Highland Forest Park
 
Highland Forest is a favorite amongst trail runners and hikers in the area. It is a forest with 20 miles of trails
marked for runners and hikers. For the less adventurous, there are some roads that can be followed within the park. It
is recommended to run with others, in case of injury or loss of directions. Carry a whistle, and let others know
where you are going and when you'll be back.
Directions: Highland Forest is in the SE corner of Onondaga County on Route 80, 4 miles East of Fabius.
Cost: $1.00 per vehicle
Open: Year round, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Beaver Lake
 
A must stop for nature lovers is the Beaver Lake Nature Trails. The surrounding woods has several nature trails
that make a great getaway from the hard asphalt roads. Expect a shady route through the woods, with a soft running
path. Take a peak at the Nature Center before you leave. This park is the venue for several festivals and races.
Directions: Beaver Lake is located in the northwestern corner of Onondaga County. Look for the entrance signs
on Route 370, several miles west of Baldwinsville.
Cost: A dollar for parking.
Open: Year round, dawn to dusk.
Erie Canal Towpath
 
Ever wanted to just run straight, with few turns and intersections? The Erie Canal towpath is an excellent location for
runners. The towpath is a loose gravel path, although ideal for running, that is built next to the old Erie Canal. Need
a long distance? This path extends to Rome, NY (30+ miles!) You may have to dodge snowmobiles in the winter,
and swat a few mosquitoes in the summer, but the scenery is definitely beautiful and varied. Be prepared for
country conditions along some stretches, and don't run by yourself.
Another section of the Erie Canal is the Erie Canal Park at Sims Store, where you can find 8+ miles of
trails to run. The northern tow
path (Sims Store side) has been recently improved and one can park at Sims Store, a neat place for
history of the Canal, and walk/jog/bike/XC ski the two miles east towards Amboy or the 2 miles west
towards Warners. This towpath is all newly laid crushed stone and drains very well so there are no
standing puddles. The south trail is more akin to the trails at Beaver Lake or Highland Forest as the
surface is all grass, dirt or wood chips. Again, this trail can take you two miles to Warners or two miles to
Amboy. If one travels east from Sims Store you can take one trail out, turn around at the aqueduct (about
1 mile) and return on the other trail.
Directions: The towpath is most easily accessible from Cedar Bay Park at the intersection of Burdick Street and
Cedar Bay Road, in Fayetteville. The Sims Store is in Camillus Erie Canal Park, located at 5750 Devoe Road, in Camillus.
Cost: Free!
Open: Year round, daytime recommended
Upper Onondaga Park
Photo courtesy of Chuck Wainwright
Not to be confused with Onondaga Lake Park, this is a small, scenic area embedded in the Strathmore section of Syracuse.
It has a small pond and a closed road looping around the pond. For runners, this area is a great get away area, although
the loop is fairly small for those who run longer distances. Observe safety rules for running in an urban setting.
Directions: The park is bounded by Roberts Avenue, Crossett Street and Onondaga Avenue
Cost: Free!
Open: Year round, dawn to dusk.
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