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Onondaga County Executive Opens New Deep Water Fishing Pier at Onondaga Lake

Onondaga County Executive Opens New Deep Water Fishing Pier at Onondaga Lake

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Home » Gallery "Believe in Syracuse Swim Event"

Photos & Videos: Believe in Syracuse Swim Event

Community members gathered in Onondaga Lake Park on Wednesday, July 22, to celebrate a symbolic swim hosted by Believe in Syracuse.

July 2015 - Community members gathered in Onondaga Lake Park on Wednesday, July 22, to celebrate a symbolic swim hosted by Believe in Syracuse.
Onondaga Yacht Club members Pat and Dave Murray of Liverpool, and John Devore (right) of Pennellville. John’s family has belonged to the yacht club since 1938; he learned to swim in the lake in 1939 before swimming was banned.

July 2015 - Onondaga Yacht Club members Pat and Dave Murray of Liverpool, and John Devore (right) of Pennellville. John’s family has belonged to the yacht club since 1938; he learned to swim in the lake in 1939 before swimming was banned.
Kayakers on the lake in Willow Bay.

July 2015 - Kayakers on the lake in Willow Bay.

Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Bill Lansley with County Legislator Judy Tassone of Liverpool; her district includes much of the area around the lake.

July 2015 - Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Bill Lansley with County Legislator Judy Tassone of Liverpool; her district includes much of the area around the lake.
Chris Young, brother of former Syracuse mayor Tom Young, wears a vintage swim suit that belonged to his father.

July 2015 - Chris Young, brother of former Syracuse mayor Tom Young, wears a vintage swim suit that belonged to his father.

Chris launched his homemade watercraft, propelled by a snow shovel, saying the day was “an important day, the opening, the rebirth of this lake.”

July 2015 - Chris launched his homemade watercraft, propelled by a snow shovel, saying the day was “an important day, the opening, the rebirth of this lake.”
A number of local officials came to support the event hosted by Believe in Syracuse, including Judy Tassone and Town of Salina First Ward Councilor Colleen Gunnip (right), whose district borders Onondaga Lake.

July 2015 - A number of local officials came to support the event hosted by Believe in Syracuse, including Judy Tassone and Town of Salina First Ward Councilor Colleen Gunnip (right), whose district borders Onondaga Lake.
The symbolic swim represented the ongoing return of Onondaga Lake as a community asset.

July 2015 - The symbolic swim represented the ongoing return of Onondaga Lake as a community asset.
Enjoying the festivities before swimming are (from left) Solvay mayor Ron Benedetti, Geddes Town Supervisor Manny Falcone, County Legislator Tim Burtis and East Syracuse Mayor Robert Tackman.

July 2015 - Enjoying the festivities before swimming are (from left) Solvay mayor Ron Benedetti, Geddes Town Supervisor Manny Falcone, County Legislator Tim Burtis and East Syracuse Mayor Robert Tackman.
John DeSantis (right), President of Believe in Syracuse, leads the way to boats carrying swimmers out to the platform.

July 2015 - John DeSantis (right), President of Believe in Syracuse, leads the way to boats carrying swimmers out to the platform.
Members of Syracuse’s roller derby team (left), Assault City Roller Derby, head out to join the group waiting on the platform.

July 2015 - Members of Syracuse’s roller derby team (left), Assault City Roller Derby, head out to join the group waiting on the platform.
One of the last boats ferrying swimmers to the platform departs shortly before 6:00pm.

July 2015 - One of the last boats ferrying swimmers to the platform departs shortly before 6:00pm.
Ed and Donna Bambrick, from Liverpool, await the big moment with Bill Frye (right) of North Syracuse.

July 2015 - Ed and Donna Bambrick, from Liverpool, await the big moment with Bill Frye (right) of North Syracuse.
Amybeth Nyadedzor (center), from Syracuse, brought daughters Kayli (left), Solomae, and Soleil (right), and son Senyo (front) to be part of the “historic” day.

July 2015 - Amybeth Nyadedzor (center), from Syracuse, brought daughters Kayli (left), Solomae, and Soleil (right), and son Senyo (front) to be part of the “historic” day.
The platform fills as it nears time to dive into Onondaga Lake.

July 2015 - The platform fills as it nears time to dive into Onondaga Lake.

The crowd of approximately 300 spectators moves closer to shore before the jump.

July 2015 - The crowd of approximately 300 spectators moves closer to shore before the jump.
Onondaga County Water Environment Protection Commissioner Tom Rhoads said he couldn’t thank people enough for showing up and being part of the community spirit exhibited at the event.

July 2015 - Onondaga County Water Environment Protection Commissioner Tom Rhoads said he couldn’t thank people enough for showing up and being part of the community spirit exhibited at the event.
Believe in Syracuse Vice President Paul Colabufo helps lead the countdown.

July 2015 - Believe in Syracuse Vice President Paul Colabufo helps lead the countdown.
Community members and elected and appointed officials jump and dive into the lake.

July 2015 - Community members and elected and appointed officials jump and dive into the lake.
Participants enjoy swimming in a lake with water quality the best in over 100 years.

July 2015 - Participants enjoy swimming in a lake with water quality the best in over 100 years.
Geddes Town Supervisor Manny Falcone (right) is interviewed by media. He looks forward to more people enjoying Onondaga Lake recreationally.

July 2015 - Geddes Town Supervisor Manny Falcone (right) is interviewed by media. He looks forward to more people enjoying Onondaga Lake recreationally.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens (center) gets ready to fist bump a beach ball back into the air.

July 2015 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens (center) gets ready to fist bump a beach ball back into the air.
Several participants wore GoPro cameras to record the action.

July 2015 - Several participants wore GoPro cameras to record the action.
Swimmers are brought back to shore to continue the celebration.

July 2015 - Swimmers are brought back to shore to continue the celebration.
Onondaga County Legislators Tim Burtis (left), Brewerton, and Kathy Rapp of Liverpool, return to shore after enjoying an inaugural swim.

July 2015 - Onondaga County Legislators Tim Burtis (left), Brewerton, and Kathy Rapp of Liverpool, return to shore after enjoying an inaugural swim.
NYSDEC commissioner Martens, speaking to media on the lake shore.

July 2015 - NYSDEC commissioner Martens, speaking to media on the lake shore.
Former Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro (left), always said he would swim in the lake someday and “today is the day.” Salina Town Supervisor Mark Nicotra (right) came to cheer him on.

July 2015 - Former Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro (left), always said he would swim in the lake someday and “today is the day.” Salina Town Supervisor Mark Nicotra (right) came to cheer him on.
Onondaga County Environmental Director Travis Glazier (right) swam from the Onondaga Yacht Club along the eastern shoreline to Willow Bay to mark the day.

July 2015 - Onondaga County Environmental Director Travis Glazier (right) swam from the Onondaga Yacht Club along the eastern shoreline to Willow Bay to mark the day.
From left: Believe in Syracuse President John DeSantis (left), Leadership Greater Syracuse Executive Director Pam Brunet, and East Syracuse Mayor Robert Tackman enjoy the continuing celebration in Onondaga Lake Park.

July 2015 - From left: Believe in Syracuse President John DeSantis (left), Leadership Greater Syracuse Executive Director Pam Brunet, and East Syracuse Mayor Robert Tackman enjoy the continuing celebration in Onondaga Lake Park.
Those waiting to swim include Evan van Hook (center foreground), Honeywell Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment, Product Stewardship, and Sustainability; John McAuliffe (center background), Honeywell Syracuse Program Director; and NYSDEC Commissioner Joseph Martens (right of McAuliffe).

July 2015 - Those waiting to swim include Evan van Hook (center foreground), Honeywell Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment, Product Stewardship, and Sustainability; John McAuliffe (center background), Honeywell Syracuse Program Director; and NYSDEC Commissioner Joseph Martens (right of McAuliffe).
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens (center) leads the dive in this symbolic event celebrating 40 years of progress.

July 2015 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens (center) leads the dive in this symbolic event celebrating 40 years of progress.

Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe (right) enjoys the festive atmosphere with community members.

July 2015 - Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe (right) enjoys the festive atmosphere with community members.

Cornelius (Neil) B. Murphy, Jr. (left), Former President of SUNY-ESF, said, “Onondaga Lake is in incredible shape. The water quality is safe for swimming and we have a diverse fishery. It’s an extraordinary asset and we have to celebrate it.”

July 2015 - Cornelius (Neil) B. Murphy, Jr. (left), Former President of SUNY-ESF, said, “Onondaga Lake is in incredible shape. The water quality is safe for swimming and we have a diverse fishery. It’s an extraordinary asset and we have to celebrate it.”