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Swimming in the Finger Lakes

Most of us can remember a favorite swimming spot from our youth. Whether it was a pond, a lake, a stream, or a public pool, swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.

There are many places to swim in the Finger Lakes. Some are relatively private and are not listed here. Others, like the state parks, are listed separately. They offer not only swimming, but hiking trails, cabin rentals, and picnic facilities. Look for those listed with an "A" to indicate "beach," although beach may sometimes be a grassy area. Don't let that worry you. Kids will tell you they'll take the grass of Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca any day for the priviledge of swimming at the base of Buttermilk Falls with it cold, pounding water crashing over the rocks.

What's listed below are mostly town, city, and county parks. Because they differ so greatly on when they're open, whether or not they charge a fee, and if so, how much, you'll find listed only those areas for which this information is listed on the park's Web site.

*Denotes an indoor pool.

AUBURN

Casey Park Recreation Facility

150 N. Division St.

Auburn, NY 13021

315-253-4247

CATO

Cato-Meridian Recreation Center

2851 State Route 370

Cato, NY 13033

315-626-6735

DRYDEN

Tompkins Cortland Community College Pool*

170 North St.

Dryden, NY 13053

607-844-8211

GROTON

Groton Memorial Park Pool

Sykes St.

Groton, NY

607-898-3966

HENRIETTA

Aquatic Center of Rochester*

2725 E. Henrietta Rd.

Henrietta, NY 14467

585-334-1670

ITHACA

Alex Haley Municipal Pool

Court St.

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-272-3622

Cass Park Pool

70 Taughannock Blvd.

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-273-1090

LANSING

Myers Park

Myers Point

Myers Rd.

Lansing, NY 14882

607-533-7388

YMCA of Ithaca*

1 Graham Rd.

(Town of Lansing)

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-257-0101

SKANEATELES

Skaneateles Community Center*

97 State St.

Skaneateles, NY 13152

315-685-2266

SYRACUSE

Burnet Park

Coleridge Ave.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Kirk Park

400 W. Borden Ave.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Lincoln Park

140 Robinson St.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Max Newman Pool*

Nottingham High School

3200 E. Genesee St.

Syracuse, NY 1

McKinley Park

W. Pleasant St.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

(Upper) Onondaga Park

351 Roberts Ave.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Schiller Park

1100 Rugby Rd.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Southwest Community Center*

401 South Ave.

Syracuse, NY 13203

315-473-4330

Thornden Park

Ostrom Ave.

Syracuse, NY 13244

315-473-4330

Valley Pool*

Meachem Field

South Salina St.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Wilson Park

1117 S. McBride St.

Syracuse, NY

315-473-4333

Updated 28 March 2012