City of Syracuse
Announcements & News
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
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 II Dates: Monday - Friday July 14 - July 25. Registration for Session II OPENS
- City residents: Thursday July 10th, 2025 at 4 p.m.
- Nonresidents: Friday, July 11th, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Session III Program Dates: July 28 - August 8 (Registration opens July 24 for City Residents)
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
Come out and SWIM!
The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs has opened outdoor pools on a rolling basis beginning on Wednesday, June 18. All pools are scheduled to remain open through mid-August, weather permitting. All City Pools are now Open, with the exception of Schiller Park Pool
The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs has opened outdoor pools on a rolling basis beginning on Wednesday, June 18. All pools are scheduled to remain open through mid-August, weather permitting. All City Pools are now Open, with the exception of Schiller Park Pool
Pool opening dates for Schiller Park will be announced at a later date.
This schedule is subject to change. Note, Pools may need to close temporarily. Thank you for your patience and understanding in these situations. Please check back for updated information!
For information on Pool locations, Pool rules, and locations of our Spray Features... click HERE
For information on Pool locations, Pool rules, and locations of our Spray Features... click HERE
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
Pops In The Park Summer Concert Series 2025
The beloved Pops in the Park summer concert series kicks off on Monday July 7! Running through the month of July, this free community event features 2 hours of live local music each night, in the beautiful outdoor settings of a variety of city parks. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic dinner and kick back while listening to the sounds of Syracuse’s local musicians..The event will also include visits from our Mobile Recreation Unit, with games and activities for all ages!
Concerts will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring a dynamic lineup of talented local artists, including Dani Mitchell, The Fab Cats, Trump Tight 315, Causeway Giants, and Menage à Soul.
The shows will be held weather-permitting. Please see the Cancellation section of RecDesk, or visit our Facebook page, for announcements and updates.
Mondays
July 7 – Meachem Park: Trump Tight 315 (Cancelled due to Weather - check back for new date)
July 14 – Barry Park: Causeway Giants
July 21 – Meachem Park: Fab Cats
July 28 – Barry Park: Causeway Giants
Tuesdays
July 8 – Upper Onondaga Park: Fab Cats
July 15 – Upper Onondaga Park: Menage A Soul
July 22 – Upper Onondaga Park: Menage A Soul
July 29 – Upper Onondaga Park: Trump Tight 315
Wednesdays
July 9 – Kirk Park: Menage A Soul
July 16 – Washington Square Park: Dani Mitchel
July 23 – Kirk Park: Dani Mitchel
July 30 – Spirit of Jubilee Park: Dani Mitchell
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.
- Tennis at Nottingham High School | 7/7 - 7/11
- Track & Field at PSLA at Fowler High School | 7/14 - 7/18
- Volleyball at Corcoran High School | 7/14 - 7/18
- Basketball at ITC High School | 7/21 - 7/25
- Soccer at Corcoran High School | 7/28 - 8/1
- Golf at Sunnycrest Park | 8/4 - 8/8 | *Ages 6 to 17
- Girls Flag Football | 8/11 - 8/15
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.
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:
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!
- Kirk Park Community Center, 300 W. Borden Ave, 13205 | 315-473-2799 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Magnarelli Community Center, 2300 Grant Blvd., 13208 | 315-473-2673 | 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. for ages 13 to 19
- Schiller Park Community Center, 223 Whitwell Dr., 13203 | 315-473-4780 | 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Westmoreland Community Center, 130 Westmoreland Ave, 13224 | 315-448-8293 | 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wilson Park Community Center, 1117 S. McBride Street, 13202 | 315-473-6828 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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.
