With warmer days approaching and more chances to take advantage of all the beauty our community has to offer, it’s important to also remember how fragile our environment is. In honor of Earth Day on April 22, I encourage everyone to be a little more conscious of the natural resources all around us. From local and state parks, to the array of green spaces that fill out our neighborhoods, we can commit to keep these spaces free from debris, preserving their beauty for years to come.   

Here, right in Central New York, there are countless scenic attractions we can all explore. Whether you’re searching for a casual walk or an adventure, our region has plenty to offer. Pratt Falls Park in Pompey is a county park with scenic trails leading to a 137-foot waterfall, while Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool has miles of paved trails, ideal for skating, walking and biking. In addition, Oneida Shores Park located in Cicero offers great views of New York’s largest inland lake. 

Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville feature a large forest surrounding two glacial lakes; Jamesville Beach Park in Jamesville has a great beachfront ideal for swimming later in the summer, water sports, and outdoor activities. Another great outdoor space to enjoy during warmer weather is the 36-mile-long Old Erie Canal State Historic Park, which has several access points in the region and welcomes residents to hike, canoe, fish and much more.  

This Earth Day, I encourage residents to join me at the annual Canal Clean Sweep in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails New York. Lend a hand and help us clean the canal trail. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the canal’s groundbreaking.

We’ll be meeting at 10 a.m. at Old Erie Canal Park entrance point 5830 Minoa Road in Manlius Center, ready and dressed to work. If we all take a moment to do our part, we can keep wonderful spots like the Old Erie Canal clean for future generations to enjoy. 

Our region deserves clean parks and green spaces and community cleanup efforts have a positive long-term impact. We must work together to help promote healthier, cleaner, and more vibrant communities. 

Recently I helped pass a state budget that includes funding for an array of initiatives including funding for the construction of the 730-mile multi-use Empire State Trail that will span much of the state and connect several trail networks. I’ll keep doing my part advocating for and promoting the preservation of our local ecosystems and our environment. 

For more places that you can experience nearby, visit onondagacountyparks.com. If you have any questions about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at [email protected] or by calling (315) 452-1115.