Syracuse Parks to Add Pop Up Snowshoe Rentals When Winter Allows

Snowshoe Rental Equipment to be Available at Several City Parks, with COVID-19 Protocols in Place

The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer a Pop-up Snowshoe Rental Program for City residents to enjoy the parks this winter.

“There are few things more exhilarating then exploring our City Parks on a beautiful winter day,” said Parks Commissioner Julie LaFave. “We are pleased to provide a number of fun ways to stay active outdoors during the winter.  In addition to ice skating, you can now grab a pair of snowshoes if the snow is deep enough, and venture out into a neighborhood park to chart your own path.”

If conditions permit, the Mobile Recreation Van will plan to visit designated parks on Saturdays and Wednesdays through the month of February. Staff will hand out reserved equipment and provide site information.  All rental reservations must be made online, in advance. A schedule of planned visits can be found at Syracuse.recdesk.com.  Reservations can be made at Syracuse.recdesk.com one day prior to an announced pop-up event and will continue until filled, or one hour before the start of each event. Follow us on Facebook @SyracuseParksRec for pop-up event announcements.

Snowshoe rentals are $3 for adults and $1 for youth (12 and under). Residents are encouraged to set up an account at Syracuse.recdesk.com prior to registering. Walk-up rentals will not be available. Refunds will only be offered if sessions are cancelled by the department after registration opens, minus the 2.75% transaction fee.

Equipment rentals will be limited based on current local and state guidance. To begin, the program will include 2 sessions per day at each announced stop, with a limit of 9 rentals per session. Residents can register for one session per day.

Saturday sessions will begin at:

• 10 a.m.
• 11:45 a.m.

Wednesday and Friday sessions will begin at:

• 1 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m.

Additional pop-up events may be offered, including during the Syracuse City School District February break. Program updates can be found on Facebook or Syracuse.recdesk.com

The following health and safety precautions will be taken:

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
• Masks must be worn at all times. 
• Temperatures will be taken for each patron at check-in.
• Participants must remain six feet apart from others in the park and along the routes, unless they reside in the same household. 
• There will be no indoor facilities open in the parks. Please come ready to walk and leave when you are done, or the session is over. Additional programs and activities will not be available.
• Staff will be masked at all times and will sanitize all rental equipment upon its return.  Staff will also clean and sanitize all seating areas and other touch points prior to each session. 

As in past years, cross country ski enthusiasts can also find groomed trails at Sunnycrest Park when snow conditions permit.  The lodge will not be open and rental equipment will not be available.  Skiers with their own equipment may access trails from the parking area on Hickok Ave at Caleb Ave.  Sunnycrest Park is open from dawn until dusk. 

For more information, call the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs at 315-473-4330.