The Southwest Trail

Located immediately adjacent to Lock#24, this scenic walkway is the first project completed in Baldwinsville's ambitious canal corridor initiative plan.  The landscaped flagpole area contains commemorative bricks donated by individuals and companies.  The area contains picnic tables and benches and a kiosk directing visitors to needed services. Floating dockage is provided for the convenience of  boaters and the area is lighted at night for those enjoying an evening stroll or boaters overnighting at Lock #24.

A Visitor's Center was opened in 2002 along the trail and will be staffed during the boating season. Volunteers at the Center will be available to answer questions about the area and provide visitors with information about local attractions and where to obtain needed goods and services.

Mid-Lakes Navigation's tour boat, the City of Syracuse, will be docked adjacent to the Visitor's Center Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during July and August 2003 and will offer three cruises daily from this location.

Paper Mill Island Park

This newest Village Park is on an Island formed between the Senecca River and the Erie Canal System. The land was donated to the Village of Baldwinsville by the Spensieri family. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. donated $250,000 to build an outdoor concert stage. The Budweiser Amphitheater was dedicated September 16, 2000.

Paper Mill Island and the Budweiser Amphitheater are community focal points and provide the venue for many festivals and celebrations. Budweiser Amphitheater is home to weeknight and weekend concerts during the summer season.  

Volunteer Park

This scenic natural walking trail is located on the eastern end of Paper Mill Island and is accessed from Marble Street.  A joint project of the Village of Baldwinsville, the Chamber of Commerce and the Thruway Authority, Volunteer Park provides a close-in picnic area and fishing spot. 

Community Attractions

The Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse - 46 Canton Street

Local History Museum is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 4:00 pm. Housed in a restored 19th century country school, the museum features special exhibits, period photographs and local artifacts. The Museum hosts educational and architectural programs throughout the year. Museum shop operates on the site.

Baldwinsville Public Library - 33 East Genesee Street

Completed in 1994, the Library offers extensive programming for all age groups. It contains a fine local history collection and offers computer stations for research and community Internet access. The Library also functions as a community art gallery with changing exhibits by local artists and crafters.

Oswego-Oneida Historic District

One block north of the Village Center, the district is listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places. The district contains many fine examples of 19th Century architecture including Greek Revival, Federal, and Italianate.

Riverview Cemetery

Located on the South shore of the Seneca River, Riverview Cemetery's Old Yard was established in 1807 with burial of John McHarrie, first permanent white settler. Markers in Riverview offer a wealth of information about early families and provide a history lesson about Baldwinsville and its citizens through the years.

Plainville Farms - Plainville NY (5 miles west of Village center)

One of the largest turkey growers in the northeast, Plainville Farms maintains a Visitor Center with indoor petting zoo and country store. Animated characters guide a family tour of this Farm, which has been in operation since 1835.

The Pioneer Experience at Plainville Farms is a seasonal exhibit suitable for ages 7 and above. Visitors explore a replica log cabin, learn how to make soap, grind grain into flour and dress up in pioneer period clothing. This exhibits displays the Bitz family's extensive collection of antique tools and artifacts.

Goetz Dolls, Inc. - 8257 Loop Road

The Visitor Center offers tour of the factory where world-famous designer and play dolls are made. The American Girl series of dolls, a favorite of collectors, are manufactured here. A retail doll shop is located at the factory. Tours are available by reservation on Tuesdays and Thursday. Call 315-635-7134 to schedule a visit.

Area Parks

Mercer Park

Is located on the North Shore of the Seneca River just west of Lock #24 This is a Village Park with basketball courts, swings, and slides. The park has a public boat launch site and floating docks.  The Gazebo at Mercer Park is a favorite spot for summer concerts and programs. There is one covered pavilion and public washrooms. Many local festivals are held here and it is a popular place to watch boat traffic through the Lock.

McHarrie Park

Is located on Canton Street adjacent to the Shacksboro Schoolhouse Museum. This park is slated to have a tot-lot constructed in 2000 under the Village of Baldwinsville's comprehensive plan for park improvements. McHarrie Park provides a pleasant green space for the southside neighborhoods.

Community Park 

Is located about one-half mile from Lock 24 on the southwest shore of the Seneca River. This is a Village Park containing a boat launch site, swing sets, picnic areas, grills, a covered pavilion and public washrooms. The Baldwinsville Lions Club maintains a building with kitchen facilities that may be reserved for private use.  Community Park fields are home to a variety of softball leagues throughout the season.

Lysander Town Park

Is located on Smokey Hollow Road on the Village's north side. This 55-acre facility offers year-round programs and activities. The Park contains tennis and basketball courts plus fields for softball and soccer.  They maintain a measured walking trail and picnic tables and pavilions for public use. The park also includes a popular children's playground. Lysander Park is the site of many outdoor summer concerts.

Van Buren Central Park is located at the corner of Conners and Canton Street Roads immediately south of the Village. The Park is home to an outdoor swimming pool. Van Buren Park offers year -round programs and activities and the Park contains facilities for playing softball, soccer, basketball and volleyball. There is playground equipment and the Van Buren Pond is open for fishing during the season. The Park maintains five small (6 table) pavilions, one large (18 tables and electricity service) and a Lodge (60-65 person) which may be reserved for use.  Van Buren Park hosts many outdoor concerts during the summer season.

Beaver Lake Nature Center is part of the Onondaga County Park System and is located on 600 acres off Route #370 west of Baldwinsville. BLNC is devoted to the discovery and enjoyment of the great outdoors. Nine miles of winding trails and boardwalks give visitors and up-close look at forest, meadows and wetlands. Visitors can participate in guided or unguided hikes, canoe on the lake, snowshoe or ski cross-country, depending on the season. Over 400 programs are held year round including maple sugaring, basket making, and holiday crafts.

Sports and Recreation

Baldwinsville has an abundance of recreational activities. There is great fishing in the Seneca River and various streams. Opportunities are plentiful for hiking, bicycling, walking, boating and water-skiing. Cross-country and downhill skiing and ice-skating are popular winter sports and there are four golf courses in the School District (two of championship caliber).

Lysander-Radisson Ice Arena, 2725 West Entry Road, has indoor skating facilities, which offer year-round opportunities for people of all ages and all skill ages and all skill levels to participate in a program. The LRIA Skating School offers group lessons to skaters from age 3 and up.

Central New York Family Sports Centre 7201 Jones Road, has two indoor multi-purpose fields with spectator seating, locker rooms, pro shop and restaurant. 3,000 participate each week in a variety of soccer leagues, tournaments, clinics and camps. Facilities also accommodate lacrosse, in-line hockey, flag football, beach volleyball, and indoor softball.

Four outdoor fields with family picnic area, jogging and walking trails and a children's playground. Programs are offered year-round for players of all ages and levels of experience.  The Centre hosts ten major sports tournaments each year with teams from throughout the Northeast.