Announcements & News

*New* Adult Whiffle Ball Tournament

Burnet Park | Saturday June 7, 2025   Do you remember how fun it was playing wiffle ball in gym class? Grab your friends and neighbors, and join us for our first ever co-ed (optional) adult recreational tournament that is open to all skill levels! Double elimination tournament (two game guarantee).  Have a blast with us!  Recruit your team of 3-6 players (each player registers individually).  We'll see you on the diamond!   $5 per player ($7 non-city).  REGISTER HERE. 

SUMMER WEEKLY PLAYGROUND PROGRAMS & CLINICS

Weekly Playground Programs
Weekly Playground Programs are open to City Residents only, free of charge, for ages 7 to 12 at the following parks: Burnet, Schiller, Thornden, Westmoreland and Wilson. Registration begins April 1 at 8 a.m. 
 
Half Day Summer Clinics
Ages 7 to 13* | Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | $25 City Residents & $50 Noncity Residents
Clinics opens to city residents on April 1 at 8 a.m. and noncity residents on April 15 at 8 a.m. 
For questions about weekly playground programs and sports clinic, with the exception of the Golf clinic, email jbrantley@syr.gov.
 
For questions regarding the Golf clinic, email jburns@syr.gov. 

AQUATICS INFORMATION

Youth Learn to Swim Program!
SUMMER 2025 Sessions: Develop swim skills to last a lifetime, with our 2-week/10-class summer sessions.  Learn To Swim sessions will be offered at the following pools, in several skill levels: Burnet, Upper Onondaga, Schiller, and Thornden
 
Session I Dates: Monday - Friday June 30 - July 11.  Registration for Session I begins on the following dates:
  • City residents: Thursday June 26th, 2025 at 4 p.m.
  • Nonresidents: Friday, June 27th, 2025 at 4 p.m.
 
Session II Dates: July 14 - July 25
Session III Dates: July 28 -  August 8 
 
Swim Team Returns!  
Swim team is back! Join the squad at either Thornden, Schiller, Onondaga or Burnet pools. Swim team meets daily (M-F) for 6 weeks, beginning June 30, at your home pool for practices and skill building with our coaches.  Plus, you'll compete in regular Meets with other city Swim Teams, including the All City Swim Meet in August.  Grab your friends and join the team!  Age 8-15.  Click "programs" above and filter results for Aquatics and Swim Team
 
Become a Lifeguard!
  • Fees waived for City Residents who intend on working one summer season for us with a minimum of 20 hours per a week. City Resident class fee: $25.00 Non-City Resident class fee: $75.00 Pre-requisite swim tests are taking place NOW! Sign up HERE. Learn more about becoming a lifeguard at syr.gov/becomealifeguard 
 
For more information, email blopes@syr.gov or jayala@syr.gov, or call the City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation at 315-473-4330.

GEARING UP for Summer 2025!

Spring and Summer programs are being populated in Recdesk as we speak...watch for new classes being added weekly. Also, Burnet Park Golf Course opens on Thursday, May 1 and Sunnycrest Park Golf Course opens on Thursday, May 8.
*Be sure to use the filter function to find a program that works best for you. Questions? Email syracuseparks@syr.gov and we will connect you with the appropriate contact. 
 
Be advised information is subject to change without notice. 

COORDINATE A PARK CLEANUP!

Coordinating a park cleanup is a great way to engage your company and improve our green spaces! It's never too early to start planning. Complete the form at https://goto.syr.gov/parkcleanup to get started. We look forward to working with you.
 

COMMUNITY EVENT LISTINGS

 For a listing of City of Syracuse community events happening in or around the parks, visit https://syr.gov/events.

Please note - permitted events are only listed after the completion of the permit process/approval and with the permission of the event organizer. 

YOUTH RECREATION COMMUNITY CENTERS

Through the operation of neighborhood community centers, the City of Syracuse provides daily recreational opportunities for local youth from a number of city neighborhoods. Drop-in recreation is free of charge and may include a variety of fun, engaging activities and games designed to keep both the body and mind active! All activities are led by experienced recreation staff, qualified volunteers, or program partners. Drop-in recreation is open to city youth ages 7-13. Programs for older teens are available where noted.
Programs and activities may include:
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Kids Cafe Hot Meals 
  • Homework Help and academic tutoring
  • 4-H Club activities with Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Daily physical activity through sports, active games, fitness classes and more!
Space may be limited, and drop-in capacity may be reached at a site on any given day. Some programs require advanced registration. Don't miss out on any of the fun! 

HOW TO CREATE A RECDESK USER ACCOUNT

To register for activities, classes, programs, leagues etc. create a Recdesk user account click HERE. For assistance on setting up an account click HERE.  To make changes to your account, call the Parks' main office at 315-473-4330 or email SyracuseParks@syrgov.net.   
 
Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted payments for online registration.  A 2.75%, non-refundable, transaction fee applied to each credit card transaction. To view our refund policy visit Parks & Recreation Department Refund Policy – City of Syracuse
 
Be sure to check back often to view our activities, classes, programs, leagues etc. under "Programs" on the navigation bar above. Golf season passes and community center memberships can be found under "Memberships" on the navigation bar above.  

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