To the Editor:
Once again, the Strathmore pond hockey tournament had to be relocated due to a lack of ice on the lake in Onondaga Park. Gamers were played on the much smaller Clinton Square rink. Clinton Square is nice but small, parking is difficult and families are hesitant to trek downtown at night for a multitude of reasons.
If Onondaga County legislators wanted to make this a much more community-oriented event, building an outdoor rink within the confines of Onondaga Lake Park would fit the bill.
Imagine a year-round outdoor facility on the site of the former baseball/football field across from Heid’s. The current field has a stone wall already for seating, easy handicapped accessibility, ingress and egress, plenty of parking and bathroom facilities. Events could also entice food trucks to provide a wide variety of offerings. When not in use in the winter, the rink could be used for soccer, lacrosse or other sports.
Onondaga Lake Park is, by far, the most used park in the county and provides a safe environment for all walks of life. It would also be a great backdrop to the Lights on the Lake. In a very unscientific poll of close to 100 neighbors and friends, all agreed it would be a wonderful addition.
Tom O’Neil
Liverpool
Related: Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic draws downtown crowds amid warm weather (photos)
