LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — In May, viewer Mike emailed the Your Stories Team asking why crews were digging at Onondaga Lake Park.

Orange safety fencing was seen at the Family Activity Center portion of the park, near Wegmans Playground, and Justin Sayles, Communications Director with the Onondaga County Executive’s office, told us pickleball courts were being built.

Almost four months later, those courts are officially open with multiple courts to play with family and friends.

According to Sayles, the project cost about $400,000 in funding that was approved in the County’s budget.

Now that the courts are complete, Onondaga County Parks is hosting a grand opening on Wednesday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The courts are located in the Wegmans Landing Section of Onondaga Lake Park, off of Route 370 and Onondaga Lake Parkway, at 106 Lake Drive in Liverpool.

County Executive Ryan McMahon will join Parks Commissioner Brian Kelley for the 10:00 a.m. ribbon cutting which will be followed by demos and pickup games and will include music, food trucks and door prizes.

During Ryan McMahon’s State of the County address in March, he said the County needed to reimagine Onondaga Lake Park. In addition to the multiple pickleball courts, he wanted to build a new public marina.

The lakeside courts are now available for open play from 6:00 a.m. until dusk. Players can visit CNY Pickleball to sign up for specific times and/or skill levels. There is no charge to use the courts. Future plans include clinics, leagues, introductory sessions and more.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport.

For more information about the park and the courts, contact Onondaga Lake Park at 315-453-6712 or visit their website.

Have a question for the Your Stories team?

Previous Your Stories: