Onondaga Lake has infamously stood still as one of the most polluted bodies of water in the nation for years and millions of dollars has gone into its clean up.

After years of effort, it’s safe to swim in the lake, according to environmental regulators, and Onondaga County leaders now say it’s feasible to have a beach along the lake’s shoreline.

What You Need To Know

  • Onondaga Lake has been infamously known as one of the most polluted lakes in America for years, but a multimillion dollar cleanup effort has made it safe to swim

  • County leaders studied the possibility of adding a beach at the lake

  • The study found a beach is best suited for the north end near Willow Bay and construction would cost about $5 million

  • There are no plans or a set timeline to build a beach right now

It's a massive turnaround from what many residents have known the lake to be for years: dirty. This past May, county leaders helped the lake shed that distinction with a deal with the Department of Environmental Conservation. 

County leaders have spent a few years studying the possibility of adding a beach to the waterfront with thousands of participants involved in the process. Many asked about the safety of the water or were concerned about traffic and cost.

A survey conducted by the county estimated at least 31,600 potential first-time visitors would go to the beach each summer. Onondaga Lake Park is already the most visited park in the county, according to the report.

“The more time people spend on Onondaga Lake near the water, the more likely they were to be willing to go swimming,” said Travis Glazier, the director of Onondaga County’s Office of the Environment. “My theory anyways is that, over time as people come and experience Onondaga Lake, whether it’s by going to the amphitheater, going on the trail and getting really close to water, they begin to understand it is nice.”

A beach is best suited for the north end of the lake at Willow Bay and near the outlet to the Seneca River, according to the report. The study also looked into another spot, near Willow Bay, and another near Bloody Brook, which is behind the playground and Salt Museum.

Public interest for a beach is there, but there is more work to do before the county moves forward with the plan, Glazier said.

“There’s a lot of public engagement that needs to happen regarding the progress has been made,” said Glazier. “Unequivocally, according to the regulators, the EPA, the DEC, the department of health, you know, these waters support public bathing.”

It’s pretty much a shovel ready project, but there is no timeline. The study says a beach would cost about $5 million dollars, which includes adding sand, building a bathhouse with concessions, and putting in additional sidewalks and paths.

The proposed project also includes relocating the kayak rental and turning the break wall into a pier with a path.