CNY FOLKSMARCH

April Folksmarch at Burnet Park

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM AND SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Burnet Park, Syracuse, New York.

Walk at your own pace • Non-competitive • All ages & abilities welcome

Join us the second weekend of every month for a walk across Central New York!

📅 When

Join CNY Folksmarch for our April walk at one of Syracuse’s most beloved city parks—Burnet Park!

Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday, April 12 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Walkers may arrive at any time during the listed hours to register and walk at their own pace.

📍 Location & Registration

Registration will take place behind the Arts and Crafts building in Burnet Park. [link]

Address:
521 Burnet Park Drive
Syracuse, NY 13204

Parking is available in front of the Arts and Crafts building or along the roadside. The closest park entrance is at Burnet Park Drive and Coleridge Avenue.

Get Directions
to Check In

View Walk
Schedule

🚶 About this Walk

This month’s route offers a mix of park and neighborhood scenery. Walkers will enjoy:

A loop within Burnet Park
A walk around the oval in the James Pass Arboretum
Sections through the historic Tipperary Hill neighborhood

Along the way, you may pass:

The Stone Throwers monument (near the famous upside-down traffic light)
Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church
Nearby St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church

Most of the route follows park roads and city sidewalks.

🐕 Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and cleaned up after.

🌳 About Burnet Park

Burnet Park has been a part of Syracuse since 1886, when Major John P. Burnet donated land for public use.

The park includes the James Pass Arboretum, a living collection of trees designed for education and enjoyment, with ongoing improvements to expand and enhance the variety of plantings.

Download Our Footnotes Newsletter

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💲 Participation

First-time walkers: FREE
Adults: $4
Youth (6–18): $1
Children under 5: FREE
Family max: $9

Annual Membership Pass: $40
Veterans Half Price!

Annual Pass

🌿 A Spring Walk in the City

April is a wonderful time to walk in Burnet Park. As the season begins to change, walkers can enjoy open spaces, winding paths, and the early signs of spring throughout the park and surrounding neighborhood.

👉 Join Us

Whether you’re a regular walker or joining us for the first time, we welcome you to come out, enjoy the fresh air, and walk at your own pace.

Why We Walk – April 2026

A quiet awakening, one step at a time.

There’s something about walking in April that feels like a quiet awakening.

After months of cold and gray, the world begins to soften. The ground gives a little underfoot, the air feels lighter, and everywhere you look there are small signs of change—buds forming on branches, patches of green pushing through, and birds returning with renewed energy.

In March, we noticed the first hints of that shift—the stillness, the subtle changes, the sense that something was just beginning. April builds on that feeling.

It invites us to notice more.

When we walk this time of year, it’s not about big, dramatic changes—it’s about the small ones. The first hints of color. The shift in the light. The feeling that something is beginning again, even if it’s not fully visible yet.

And then there’s the simple joy of being outside.

After a long winter, stepping onto a trail—whether it’s a wooded path, an open field, or a park close to home—feels refreshing in a way that’s hard to describe but easy to appreciate. Walking becomes less about braving the elements and more about enjoying the experience.

At Burnet Park, this sense of renewal is everywhere. Open spaces, winding paths, and views of the city create a setting where you can take it all in—whether you’re walking with a friend or simply enjoying a quiet moment along the way.

And as always, there’s the community.

A greeting at the start, a conversation along the route, or even just the shared understanding that we’re all choosing to be here—it’s these small connections that make each walk meaningful.

April reminds us that we don’t have to wait for everything to be in full bloom to begin again.

All it takes is a step outside—and a willingness to see what’s starting to grow.

We hope you’ll join us for our April walk at Burnet Park and experience the season as it begins to unfold.

March Folksmarch Onondaga Lake (West Shore)

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM AND SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Onondaga Lake, Syracuse, New York.

Walk at your own pace • Non-competitive • All ages & abilities welcome

Join us the second weekend of every month for a walk across Central New York!

📅 When

Saturday, March 14 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday, March 15 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Walkers may arrive at any time during event hours to register and begin their walk.

📍 Where (Registration)

Onondaga Lake Visitor Center
266 Restoration Way
Syracuse, NY 13209

Located at the boat launch just off Exit 11–12B from I-690 (New York State Fair exit).

Get Directions to Check In

View Walk Schedule

About This Walk

Join CNY Folksmarch for a scenic walk along the west shore of Onondaga Lake. This popular location offers a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as winter transitions into spring, with open views of the lake and chances to observe local wildlife.

The walk follows a section of the Empire State Trail, providing a flat, accessible route for walkers of all abilities.

What to Expect

Approximately 5K (3 miles) (walk as much or as little as you like)
Flat, paved trail suitable for most walkers
Views of the lake and surrounding natural areas
Opportunities to see early signs of spring
Wildlife viewing, including waterfowl and birds of prey

🦅 Special Feature

Staff from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be available at the Visitor Center to answer questions about the site, conservation efforts, and wildlife along the west shore.

Walkers may want to bring binoculars to look for nesting or hunting eagles and other birds.

Download Our Footnotes Newsletter

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What is a Folksmarch?

CNY Folksmarch is inspired by the German volksmarch tradition—non-competitive walking events designed to encourage fitness, fresh air, and social connection.

No set pace
No competition
Open to all ages and abilities

Whether you walk the full route or just a portion, you’ll find a welcoming community.

💲 Participation Options

First-Time Walkers: FREE
Adults: $4
Youth (6–18): $1
Children (5 & under): FREE
Family Maximum: $9

Annual Membership Pass: $40
Veterans Half Price!

Annual Pass

👟 What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Layers for March weather
Water
Binoculars (optional)

March weather can be unpredictable, so dress accordingly.

🌟 Join Us!

Whether you’re a longtime walker or joining us for the first time, we invite you to come out and enjoy a relaxed, scenic walk along Onondaga Lake.

Bring a friend, enjoy the fresh air, and experience the simple joy of walking together.

October Walk at Jamesville Beach

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 , 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Jamesville Beach Park, 3992 Apulia Rd, Jamesville, NY 13078.

Jamesville Beach Park located at 3992 Apulia Rd., Jamesville, NY 13078 has changed a lot since Folksmarch was last there 17 years ago. On Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12 we will meet at the Overlook Shelter for sign-in. Walking sticks suggested.

The park has added a huge white tent for gatherings (taken down now), a disc golf course, updated the small playground near the beach (beach is not open at this time of year), and added a huge off-leash dog park starting on the east edge of the developed part of the park. With luck, the leaves will be changing. The walk on grass and dirt trails starting out near the reservoir and along Butternut Creek will lead into the off-leash dog park trails, so be prepared to meet friendly dogs and people. There are a few short ups and downs where walking sticks would help. If it rains on or before the FM, be prepared for some muddy patches. For those who prefer smooth walking, there are paved and dirt roads available.

Find out more in our October 2025 Folksmarch Footnotes newsletter.

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