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Syracuse Residents against beach at Onondaga Lake Syracuse Residents

By Thomas Shults

A new proposal by the Onondaga County legislature, would create a beach at Onondaga Lake. NCC News’ Thomas Shults went to Onondaga lake park to find out what residents thought about the idea.
(Track 1, Reporter)
For years locals have gone to Onondaga Lake for the swings, the slides, and to feed the seagulls. Now the county is considering adding a beach to the south end of the lake, which would cost almost three million dollars. That money would also go to picnic tables, a concession stand, and a bathouse. But people like Casey Millet say there’s no need for a new beach.

Casey Millet: “I don’t think it’s really worth it I mean a lot of people already come here just for you know like the trails and playing on the playground and everything like that. It’s not really a necessity like we have Greenlakes.”

(Track 2, Reporter)
Even though there’s still sheets of ice here at Onondaga county, the sun in the sky makes it seem like summer is on the horizon. But that doesn’t mean that residents, both adults and children, want the beach at the lake.

Guenivere Morris: “I think it’s kind of a stupid idea in a way. I think it’s not really like the best lake to have a beach at.”

(Track 3, Reporter)
The county legislature did not respond to our requests for interview, but Onondaga County did release plans for the beach. But the people I talked to today, said they would rather Onondaga Lake Park stay, well, a park. For NCC News, I’m Thomas Shults.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga County is considering creating a beach at Onondaga Lake, which would cost $2.8 million. But the price isn’t the main reason locals don’t want the beach. Instead, it’s due to how dirty the lake has been historically.

“I don’t think I would ever swim here after how dirty it is,” said Guenivere Morris. “It’s like the number one dirtiest lake.”

Visitors on Onondaga Lake Park noted how local plants used to pollute the lake. Even now, people have no intentions of swimming in the lake.

Casey Millet, who grew up in Cicero and now lives in East Syracuse said she has never swam in Onondaga Lake, nor does she know anyone who has.

“I’ve seen a lot of memes on Facebook of people saying “if you’re going to get out of the water you’re going to grow an extra toe,” said Millet. “Once I saw a swan here without a foot. The bone was coming out.”

Past experiences, as well as community members talking, has led few people to swim in the lake. 

But according to the county, Onondaga Lake has been cleaned up, with some sections considered swim-able. This is where the beach would be located, on the south end of the lake. According to the county, tests results have shown that the beach would meet state standards. 

The bottom of the lake would be covered with sand. As of now, it is filled with gravel, sand, and shells. 

However, there is no guarantee that the beach would be implemented. First the proposal requires funding and approval from the Onondaga County Legislature, who did not respond to our request for comment. The idea must also be approved by 10 federal, state, and local agencies.

Per Syracuse.com, the county said, “that no areas in the northern basin of Onondaga Lake exhibited unacceptable risk to children or adults potentially exposed to sediment by swimming, walking or wading in the lake.”

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