Opinion today: There's more to Onondaga Lake than pollution Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 12:05 AM; Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 12:38 PM
By The Post-Standard
Tracking commentary and opinion from around Central New York, the state and nation. Tuesday's Topic: Patrick Coyne, of Syracuse, writes about the positive features of Onondaga Lake in the Readers' Page of today's Post-Standard. Here is his letter: I am one of the most active beneficiaries of what Onondaga Lake has to offer. I am on the lake or in the park at least once a week throughout the year. Based on my time out there, three very unique and very positive features stand out. The park: My guess is that there is not another major metropolitan area in the country that has a public park surrounding a full-size natural lake. I especially like early spring and late fall, when a variety of migratory birds can be seen. I have also taken a liking to flying my big kites in the park when the winds are right. The waste beds: They have in effect become a forever-wild area, and with the completion of the creekwalk trail, you have what could be a designated forever wild area within biking distance of Syracuse University, the forestry school and downtown. From downtown, the ride’s all flat, and you won’t even break a sweat to see osprey, bald eagles, deer and fox. This is incredibly unique! The lake itself: The fishing is phenomenal, and because of the clarity and the large populations of fish, I am seriously considering putting a glass bottom in my canoe. The lake is like a wild aquarium. I may be the only person anyone has seen on the lake in the winter. Again, something unique to Onondaga Lake is that there are no snowmobiles on it in the winter. This has allowed me some very peaceful enjoyment and some interesting recreation. Because
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