Announcements & News

AQUATICS INFORMATION


SWIM with us all year!
 
Learn to Swim Programs begin in September!  Registration Opens Thursday August 27th
Sign up for Fall Swim Lessons with Syracuse Parks!   Each session is 30-minutes in length, offered weekly for 8 Weeks. Sessions are offered in a variety of age and skill levels: Seahorse (Age 3-5), Goldfish (age 5+), Bullfrog (age 6+), Blue Whale (age 7+), Starfish (age 8+), as well as "Little Swimmers", where an adult caregiver participates. 
 
Lesson Locations:  Southwest Pool and Valley Pool
Fall Session:  Sessions available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning September 8th  
Registration begins:  Thursday August 27 at 4pm for City Residents (August 28, 4pm for non residents)
Register Here to, see full schedule of sessions, by category.
 
Winter Session: Weekly lessons begin November 10
Registration Opens:  Thursday October 29th at 4pm.  
 
 
Southwest Pool and Valley Indoor Pools will be open soon for Fall, Winter and Spring Open Swim, Lap swim and other programs.  See Pool schedules HERE
 

AFTER SCHOOL YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS

AFTER SCHOOL Youth and Teen Programs:  Begins September 9th 
At nearby community centers throughout the City, Syracuse Parks and Recreation 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 year long! 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:
  • Daily physical activity through sports, active games, fitness classes and more!
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Kids Cafe Hot Meals, served daily (from the Food Bank of CNY)
  • Homework Help and academic support
  • Wide array of enrichment and experiential learning activities with local partners
  • LADDERS to the Outdoors program with NYS Parks
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! Register Online HERE, or Register On-Site at your neighborhood center

 
 

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CLOSURES & CANCELLATIONS

Southwest Community Center Pool is currently closed. 

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. 

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.  

Weather-Related Closing and Cancellations

Information and Updates related to facility closures or program cancellations will be posted on https://syracuse.recdesk.com and posted on the department’s Facebook Page (Syracuse Parks and Rec).  

For registration-based programs, registrants may receive an e-mail or text via RecDesk announcing specific program cancellations.   

The information will also be posted at each site on the doors, when possible.  Notices may also be posted to TV scroll on local stations, and to digital media outlets. But this may not be possible in every instance. 

In accordance with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), if the wind chill feels like -11 degrees or lower, we will suspend, delay or 
cancel outside activity. The main office will remain open. 

Thunder and Lightning:

The department will suspend outdoor programming and evacuate pools and golf courses in the event of Thunder and Lightning in the area. These will remain closed until the weather threat is no longer present.  Please adhere to staff instructions and seek safe shelter nearby. 

Other Weather-Related Cancellations:

The Parks Department will work to announce weather-related cancellations by 8 a.m. for daytime activities, and 3 p.m. for evening activities.  In some cases, the decision may be made and posted on the night prior.  As conditions change, the department may post updates throughout the day.   

When the Syracuse City School District cancels school due to weather:   

All After School Youth Programs are cancelled at the following Community Centers: Seals Center at Kirk Park, Magnarelli Center at McChesney Park, Bova Center at Schiller Park, Westmoreland Park, and Wilson Park, as well as programs at the Southwest Community Center and Northeast Community Center.  The Kids Café Meal program will also be cancelled in these circumstances.  Full Time staff will report unless otherwise instructed.  

Huntington Pool will be closed. Valley and Southwest pools may remain open, based on weather conditions.  Cancellations, including lessons, will be posted on Parks RecDesk or Facebook pages. Staff will report unless otherwise instructed.  

Senior exercise and yoga and specialty classes will be cancelled at Bob Cecile Center and Magnarelli Center. P.E.A.C.E. Senior Lunch program will be cancelled. Facility may remain open unless otherwise posted on Parks Cancellations/Facebook pages. Staff will report. 

Adult Recreation League games are cancelled if they are scheduled for a school district building 

If the Syracuse City School District is delayed due to weather: 

Facilities and programs will proceed with normal operations based on ice conditions, weather conditions and the status of snow removal. Determinations will be made and posted to RecDesk and Parks Facebook Page as soon as possible. 

If the Syracuse City School District cancels After School Activities due to weather:    

All after school youth classes, sports activities, field trips, leagues and instructional programs, meetings, events, and facility rentals are cancelled. Kids Café Meals will be served; however, sites may close early based on weather conditions and the status of snow removal.  

All other facility and program cancellations will be posted on RecDesk and Facebook, based on conditions. 

Sites may close early based on ice conditions, weather conditions and the status of snow removal.  
 
In accordance with the NYSPHSAA, if the wind chill feels like -11 degrees or lower, we will suspend, delay or cancel outside activity. 
 
Weekends and other days when the Syracuse City School District is not in session: 

The Parks Department will work to announce weather-related cancellations by 8 a.m. for daytime activities, and 3 p.m. for evening activities.  In some cases, the decision may be made and posted on the night prior.  As conditions change, the department may post updates throughout the day.   

Please note: The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs reserves the right to make decisions that may be inconsistent with this policy based on unforeseen circumstances.   

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