Onondaga Creekwalk
Syracuse, Onondaga County, NY
The Onondaga Creekwalk is a multi-phase trail project that follows Onondaga Creek through the City of Syracuse, ultimately linking downtown neighborhoods to Onondaga Lake. Originally envisioned in the late 20th century as part of a larger citywide network of trails, the Creekwalk gained momentum as private lakefront development incorporated a trail section along Franklin Square. Building on that momentum, the City of Syracuse committed to expanding the Creekwalk, aiming to connect neighborhoods, improve public access to natural resources, and create a continuous pedestrian and cycling corridor through the heart of the city.
The Spark
The initiative grew from a desire to reconnect people with Onondaga Creek, once overlooked, now reimagined as a vital civic asset. Landscape architect Steve Buechner, invited by former Parks Commissioner Jim Heath, drafted early plans for multiple trails across Syracuse, including one along the creek. Although those early concepts stalled, the success of the Franklin Square segment revived enthusiasm. City leaders recognized the potential to extend the trail, weaving together ecological restoration, recreation, and equitable neighborhood connections to the lake.
The Project
The Creekwalk has unfolded in phases, each requiring extensive collaboration, planning, and perseverance. Phase II brought the largest challenge: acquiring rights-of-way from 30 different property owners along the route. That process triggered environmental hearings and intensive community dialogue, shaping the trail to meet neighborhood concerns.
Design and construction were led by C&S Companies as prime consultant, with Onondaga County contributing innovative green infrastructure, porous pavements, bioswales, and rain gardens, making the Creekwalk both functional and environmentally resilient. Onondaga Earth Corps, a youth-focused nonprofit, partnered with the City to plant trees and stabilize creek banks, a partnership that continues today.
Management posed another hurdle. Early on, maintenance fell to city crews on a case-by-case basis. After Phase II, the Parks Department established a dedicated Trails Coordinator role to implement a comprehensive maintenance plan. This position, supported by two full-time staff and volunteer groups, has since ensured the Creekwalk remains a clean, safe, and welcoming public asset.
Funding came primarily from the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Improvement Program, supplemented by the City of Syracuse’s capital budget and occasional grants for artwork and programming.
Equity & Inclusion
Community engagement has been central to all phases of the Creekwalk. Public forums allowed residents to voice ideas and concerns, directly shaping trail design and amenities. Ongoing input from neighborhood groups, frequent users, and organizations informs future improvements.
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The Adopt-a-Trail program reflects a vision of shared stewardship, where residents see themselves not just as users, but as co-owners of the trail’s future. This fosters community pride while broadening participation across diverse user groups.
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Community Impact
Today, the Creekwalk is more than a trail, it is a civic gathering place, transportation corridor, and ecological classroom. Programs include:
Adopt-a-Trail initiative inviting businesses, groups, and individuals to care for sections of the trail. Special events like the Mile Marketplace, activating the corridor with vendors and performances. Nature education walks led by Parks staff and community educators. Urban food forest gardens supporting foraging, education, and sustainability. Job pathways through trail maintenance positions and nonprofit collaborations
For many, the Creekwalk is also a practical necessity, linking work, school, and community destinations across Syracuse.
Outcomes and Benefits
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Created a continuous trail corridor connecting neighborhoods to Onondaga Creek and Onondaga Lake
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Provided recreational, educational, and commuting opportunities for residents and visitors
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Improved ecological health through green infrastructure and creekside plantings
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Positioned Syracuse within the statewide Empire State Trail, enabling cross-state cycling and walking routes
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Established a maintenance framework with dedicated city staff and volunteer stewardship
Reflections
For the project’s champions, the Creekwalk has been transformative. As one former Trails Coordinator reflected, the work provided invaluable experience in planning, design, programming, and stakeholder management, while deepening community stewardship.
Lessons Learned / Transferable Insights
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Securing rights-of-way requires persistence, transparency, and sustained dialogue with property owners
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Green infrastructure can enhance both ecological resilience and community perception of trails
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Dedicated staffing is essential for the long-term success of urban trails
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Volunteer and community stewardship initiatives amplify maintenance capacity and civic pride
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Trails can serve not only as recreation but also as transportation corridors, connecting communities and economies
The Onondaga Creekwalk illustrates how a city can reimagine its waterways as assets for connection, sustainability, and equity. What began as a dormant trail concept has become a vibrant corridor for walking, cycling, learning, and gathering. By combining infrastructure, community engagement, and stewardship, the Creekwalk has reshaped how Syracuse experiences its landscape, turning a hidden creek into a thread that ties neighborhoods together.
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Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning
Tompkins Center for History and Culture
110 North Tioga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
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