New York State
Inclusive Recreation Resource Center

Now Featuring.... Onondaga County Parks

On a routine basis, the NYS IRRC features an individual or agency whose work promotes opportunities for  people of all ages and abilities to play wherever they choose.

This spring, we are recognizing Onondaga County Parks for their great work throughout their system to increase accessibility, implement best practices in inclusion, acquire adaptive equipment and support staff training in disability awareness and accommodations.

Under the leadership of Bob Geraci, Park Commissioner, Leiko Benson, Recreation Supervisor, and Jon Cooley, Recreation Director (all pictured above), Onondaga County Parks is a leader in making New York recreation inclusive of all. 

Many Onondaga County Parks employees have already attended the NYS IRRC’s full-day Inclusion U training, taking back useful information for changes at their own parks. Recreation Supervisor Leiko Benson, a SUNY Cortland Recreation alumna, has been designated as the park’s Inclusion Point of Contact and is now a Certified Inclusion U trainer. Leiko will be using her training skills to continue to enhance inclusion throughout Onondaga County Parks.

Whether you are looking for an accessible playground, an adaptive fishing program, or a ride through the park or nature center, Onondaga County Parks have something for everyone. Here is a brief overview of some of the services the parks have to offer:

• Beaver Lake Nature Center’s “Nature On Wheels”  NOWmobile was recently honored with  the “Exceptional Program of the Year” award by the New York State Recreation and Park Society. The NOWmobile allows people who have limited mobility impairments to experience nature via a ride on the Center’s trails.

• Onondaga Lake Park offers adaptive equipment, such as hand-pedaled Amtrykes and wheelchairs to borrow, free of charge. The park’s Tram that tours the park is also wheelchair accessible.
  
  
• The Wegmans Playground at Onondaga Lake Park was designed as a boundless accessible playground so that children of all abilities can play.
  

• Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery in Elbridge offers a “Time Out to Fish” program each summer, allowing seniors and people with disabilities an opportunity to learn to fish.
  
  
• Jamesville Beach has a concrete ramp that provides people who use wheelchairs direct access to the water’s edge.
  
  
• ·On June 5th, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will host “Dreamnight at the Zoo” as part of an international event focusing on community inclusion of children of all abilities.
  
  
• ·At the marina at Onondaga Lake Park, a collaboration with ARISE has resulted in an accessible pontoon boat that is available to take people fishing. Visit www.ariseinc.org for more information.
  
  
• Onondaga County Parks’ website has a “Plan Your Visit” feature that provides a link to “Services for People with Disabilities,” providing detailed accessibility information about many of the county’s parks

Onondaga County Parks’ Director of Recreation Jon Cooley has been of great service to the NYS IRRC by serving on the Fingerlakes Regional Advisory Committee, promoting inclusion and arranging training space at the Zoo. Many of the parks have already been assessed using the NYS IRRC’s Inclusivity Assessment Tool, and all of the parks will eventually be assessed and linked directly to the IRRC’s website so that visitors to the parks can have detailed information about all of the recreational activities the parks have to offer.

We are very proud to have Onondaga County Parks as a strong partner of the NYS IRRC and commend them for their wonderful work to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the parks!

To learn more about Onondaga County Parks, visit their website at www.OnondagaCountyParks.com or call (315) 451-7275.