Newest segment of Onondaga Lake Park Trail offers novel views of the lake and a safe pathway to the city
By Molly English-Bowers
It may be only 1.1 miles long, but it’s a big step toward completing the long-awaited Loop the Lake trail.
We’re talking about the extension of the West Shore Trail running roughly parallel to Route 690 from near the Orange Lot to the Onondaga Creekwalk. It opened a little more than a year ago, on Aug. 14, 2020.
“That new spur of the trail is awesome,” said Brian Kelley, commissioner of Onondaga County Parks, in a telephone interview. “People get to see a view from that side of the lake that they never were able to see before. It’s popular beyond our wildest dreams.”
The new asphalt trail starts at Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center across Harbor Brook via a really cool bridge to Hiawatha Boulevard, lengthening the Loop-the-Lake project to nearly nine miles out of 13.5 planned.
From the Creekwalk at Hiawatha, walkers, cyclists and the like can eventually pick up the Empire State Trail that runs to DeWitt along several miles of bike path built into the median of Erie Boulevard. You could get to Albany and New York City from here.
Would you rather go to Buffalo?
Then head uphill to the West Shore Trail to cross the orange lot to the State Fairgrounds. There you will pick up the Empire State Trail that heads west. So not only can you ultimately reach New York City from this new link, but it’s the next step in the long-anticipated plan to loop the lake.
“We are in the planning stages to get over the railroad tracks behind Destiny USA and access Murphy’s Island,” Kelley said. “We don’t know yet how that’s going to be done. We have to establish the hurdles and then construct that portion the right way protecting the environment and making sure it is safe.”
While Murphy’s Island is known for bald eagle sightings, this new trail also provides plenty of opportunities for bird-watching: more than 135 species of birds have made their way here, according to Honeywell’s website lakecleanup.com.
“It’s an excellent bird-watching spot,” said Kelley.
If you prefer relaxing with a rod and reel, this new trail offers several fishing access sites as well as a boat launch next to the visitors center which would be loved by people like Jimmy John Shark. Anglers can park at lots adjacent to the fishing sites.
“The fishing opportunities are so robust,” Kelley said.
While it’s still questionable to eat fish caught in the lake, dozens of species find their way there. Among those, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, are large- and smallmouth bass, tiger musky, northern pike, walleye, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass and yellow perch.
To enhance fishing opportunities, plans are in the works to construct a 100-foot-long deep-water fishing pier along with a nearby parking lot for 30 vehicles. Honeywell has also planted wildflowers and installed benches on either side of the trail.
An impressive bridge looms as you head southeast toward the city or northwest toward the lake. It was completed in December 2020.
“The bridge allows our trail to continue the effort in looping the lake,” Kelley said. “The main draw is the view; it’s breathtaking.”
Indeed, if you face north at the apex of the bridge you will see Onondaga Lake laid out in front of you, including sailboats and birds. The bridge makes it possible for the trail to continue above Harbor Brook and the railroad tracks below.
If you can handle the windchill, in winter the view will be vastly different. Leaf-less trees will reveal more shoreline and you’ll be able to see the Christmastime Lights on the Lake display from a different perspective.
The new trail will not be plowed in winter, Kelley said. So visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe.
These projects are part of an agreement among Honeywell, Onondaga County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DEC to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality and to enhance recreational opportunities.
When Allied Chemical (the major polluter of the lake) came under the Honeywell umbrella in 1999, the contaminated lake was part of the deal. Given no choice from governmental entities, Honeywell devised a plan for lake mitigation, which has included dredging the lake, capping portions of the one-time Superfund site to contain contaminants, contributing to trail construction and building the visitors center.
Furthermore, this 1.1-mile walkway represents the promise of Loop the Lake and the recreation potential of the lake. These have been discussed for decades and it’s finally seeing progress. This new lakeshore trail represents another step in that process.
“It’s an exciting time for parks,” said Kelley. “As tough as 2020 was, we were busier than ever. People weren’t traveling and our parks became a haven to get out of the house and exercise. It was a wonderful thing to have this trail available. The trail is one of the unique recreational opportunities you will find in the Syracuse area.”
Photo: The peak of the West Shore bridge provides a view of the East Flume, a breakwall with resting waterfowl, the occasional fishing boat and the southeastern shoreline of Onondaga Lake.