City of Syracuse
Announcements & News
SUMMER YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS
SUMMER RECREATION Programs For Youth! DAILY RECREATION PROGRAMS LAUNCH July 6th!
So many options to keep both body AND mind active all Summer! To register for Parks programs, and for more info, click on "Programs" and then "Youth Programs"
*Please Note: All Youth Recreation Centers are Closed June 26th - July 3 for staff training and holiday. See you on July 6th*
*Please Note: All Youth Recreation Centers are Closed June 26th - July 3 for staff training and holiday. See you on July 6th*
Summer Playground Recreation Programs: FREE daily recreation at a variety of City Park locations.
-July 6 - August 14, 2026. Most sites operate 10:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday. Register per week
-Includes daily lunch from Syracuse City School District; outdoor play, indoor games, sports, field trips, enrichment
Summer TEEN Recreation . FREE recreation programs designed especially for teens ages 13 - 18
- McKinley Brighton School Night Recreation Program: July 6 - August 7 / 6:30pm - 9:00pm
- Southwest Community Center Night Recreation:
Summer Sports Clinics: Different themed sports clinics each week; $25 per week for city residents.
- Weekly clinics in soccer, basketball, track, tennis, volleyball, and golf. Visit "sports clinics" section to see full schedule
- Clinics run 9:00am - 12:00pm Monday - Friday at designated location
YMCA Power Scholars Program: Long running, FREE daily academic program with YMCA instructors.
- Power Scholars operates 8:30am - 1:00pm each day. Youth then join the Summer Playground Rec program each PM
- includes breakfast and lunch through SCSD summer nutrition program.
- July 7 - Aug 7 at Kirk, Schiller and Northeast Community Center. Register directly with the YMCA: 315-744-4420
4-H Summer Camps in City Parks: RGEGISTRATION FULL Part of the 4H Summer Camp series, with Cornell Cooperative Extension
- 4-H camp weeks are packed with hands-on experiences to spark your child's curiosity and sense of adventure.
- August 3 - 7 and August 10 - 14 in Upper Onondaga Park. Additional weeks offered in county parks.
- Register directly though CCE of Onondaga: CCEOnondaga.org/summercamp .
- Scholarships available! For ages 7 - 12. Registration Currently Open!
AQUATICS INFORMATION
SUMMER SWIM Programs
SUMMER OUTDOOR POOLS HOURS
With School out for the Summer, the following Pools are now open for free, open swim according to the schedule below:
Thornden Pool / Onondaga Pool / Lincoln Pool / Schiller Pool / Kirk Park Pool
Monday - Saturday 12:00PM - 7:00PM
Sundays 1:00PM - 7:00PM
Please check back for opening dates for Burnet Park, McKinley Park, and Wilson Park
Note: Individual pool schedules may change due to weather, mechanical issues, or staffing needs. Pools may need to close temporarily for the safety of all patrons and staff.
SUMMER LEARN TO SWIM
Syracuse Parks offers Sessions of Summer swim lessons that consist of daily 30-minute lessons, each morning for two 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+)
Lesson Locations: Burnet Park, Onondaga Park, Thornden Park, Schiller Park
Session I: June 29 - July 10
Registration begins: Thursday June 25 at 4pm for City Residents (June 26, 4pm for non residents)
Registration begins: Thursday June 25 at 4pm for City Residents (June 26, 4pm for non residents)
Session II: July 13 - July 24
Registration opens Thursday July 9th at 4pm (city residents)
Registration opens Thursday July 9th at 4pm (city residents)
Session III: July 27 - August 7
Registration Opens Thursday July 23 at 4pm (city residents)
SUMMER SWIM TEAM
Now forming at the following pools: Burnet Park, Onondaga Park, Schiller Park, Thornden Park. Join our competitive Swim Teams and take your swimming to the next level. Teams meet 5 days per week to help develop swim technique, build endurance, and learn teamwork. Teams also compete regularly in local meets. Must be able to swim at least 25 yds on front and back. Blue Whale level or higher who are ready for a challenge! Ages 7-15. Register Here
SWIM with us all year!
Southwest Pool, Valley Pool and Huntington Pool are closed for the Summer, but will be open for Winter and Spring swim programs. See Pool schedules HERE
Southwest Pool, Valley Pool and Huntington Pool are closed for the Summer, but will be open for Winter and Spring swim programs. See Pool schedules HERE
Year Round Learn to Swim Programs. Stay Tuned for information on Fall and Winter Lesson dates and registration info:
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 Learn more about becoming a lifeguard at syr.gov/becomealifeguard
After School Recreation -
AFTER SCHOOL Youth and Teen Programs: Begins in September!
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
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
