Last summer, due to COVID-19, the hours of the Onondaga Lake Skatepark were limited compared to previous years. Upon implementing summer hours this year, the hours remained limited, at 8am-5pm every day, despite the decline in COVID cases and lifting of restrictions. The New York State of Emergency was lifted on 6/24/21. 

In recent weeks, the skatepark hours have been expanded to 7am-6pm daily, but the park remains closed during evening hours every day. That leaves 3+ usable hours every day (likely the hours when most people would visit) that the park is sitting unused throughout the summer. 

The skatepark is a valuable resource to our community, providing a safe environment for people of all ages to skate and socialize. Taking away the availability of this venue does not stop skating; it simply forces skaters to find other less safe alternatives.

Skating has numerous social, physical, and mental health benefits. To have this park sitting empty, locked up during available daylight hours is an absolute disservice to the community. We are requesting that the skatepark be open 6am-1/2 hour past sunset - the same hours as the rest of Onondaga Lake Park. 

This petition will be sent to County Executive Ryan McMahon to show him how much our community needs this skatepark!