Lakeside Park (Oswego)
Location: On Lake Ontario; City of Oswego; Oswego County; New York.
Maps: Google Map; Topographic; Interactive map
GPS Coordinates: Parking: N 43.46986 / W 76.50081
Directions: Head east on NY-104 through Oswego and then go north on E 10th St, following it to the end. Turn right onto Mercer St, then left onto E 10th 1/2 street, which leads to the park.
Or use Google Maps.
Parking: The parking lot within the park has space for about 12 cars.
Weather
Information / Accessibility / Accommodations
Typical Seasons/Hours: Year-round, from dawn to dusk.
Admission: Free.
Best time to visit: Spring through fall. Despite the “no swimming” rule, the park can get busy in hot summer months.
Time: A few minutes or more to enjoy the lake. It’s not a big park.
Handicap accessibility: Views from the parking lot only, which is seeing most of it.
Pets: Allowed in the park and walkways when on a leash.
Swimming: Unfortunately, the City of Oswego has no public beaches for swimming in Lake Ontario. It’s especially ill-advised to swim at this park as it’s located right next to a wastewater treatment plant. The closest public beach for people looking to cool off will be to the west at Fair Haven Beach State Park.
Boat launch and facilities: The park road leads past the volleyball court and close to the beach, allowing for easy hand launching. For trailer launching, head east to Wright’s Landing Marina.
Fishing: You can cast from the shoreline here.
Camping: There are no camping facilities along the lake here. Camping is available to the west at Sunset RV Park or Fair Haven State Park.
Accommodations: Birdwatching, picnic tables, grills, benches, volleyball court, trash bins, small pavilion, informational signage. More facilities are planned for the near-future. More park facilities are located just west at Fort Ontario State Historic Site and Park.
Description
The City of Oswego began an initiative years ago to create more public access to the lake for its residents and visitors. This park, along with Sheldon Beach Park on the west side of the city, are the latest results of that effort. Located between Fort Ontario and a forthcoming wind farm on the west and a wastewater treatment plan to the east, this former gravel lot has been completely transformed by city workers into a quaint lakeside park with some of the best sunset views in the city. The city still does not have a public swimming beach, and the proximity of this park to the wastewater plant, makes the quality and safety of the water here questionable at times.
Without swimming, the park is still worth a stop for its stony beach, scattered with interesting driftwood and the perfect angle to view sunsets over the lake with the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse eclipsing it. It also serves as a wonderful community hangout park with benches, picnic tables, and a sandy volleyball court.
History
Maps covering the last 100 years or so, show this plot of land as being vacant, with it being a gravel lot for the last 50. During that time, the east-side community would venture up the road and access the lake from the relatively undeveloped land.
A $100,000 grant from the state led to construction of park faculties to begin in June of 2020. The City’s Department of Public Works wrapped up construction in September 2020 and the park was opened to the public. Plans are in the works to hook the park to the grid and perhaps add more facilities, such as a small pavilion.
Hiking / Walking Trails
There are no trails at this park. For hiking/walking, visit Fort Ontario State Historic Site and Park or Independence Park.
Lakeside Park (Oswego) Interactive Map
Fishing
Fishing is allowed, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There is a wastewater treatment plant next door.
More Lake Ontario Parks & Beaches
Find a new summer hangout spot or place to swim in our comprehensive guide to Lake Ontario Parks and Beaches in New York State.
Interesting Stuff
Oswego Harborfest
This festival runs the last weekend of July and features food and craft vendors, musical performances, a midway, and a spectacular fireworks display over the lake. An average of 75,000 people come to the ‘fest each year.
Breitbeck Park & Oswego Waterfront
Breitbeck Park is a beautiful centerpiece to the historic Oswego Waterfront. An ideal place for walking, the waterfront is filled with as much history as it is scenic views.
Fort Ontario State Historic Site
This American historic bastion site is located on the other side of the river and features some original structures, recreations of period fort rooms, demonstrations, reenactments, and fantastic views of Lake Ontario.
Photography Tips
Sunsets
- Because of the angle of the shoreline, Oswego is a good spot to catch summer sunsets over the lake. In late summer, the Oswego lighthouse will line up with the setting sun.
More tips
- See the Articles and Message Board sections for more photography tips.
Who to Contact
City of Oswego Parks & Recreation
(315) 343-5055
