Photo courtesy of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Families enjoying a walk on one of Verona Beach State Park's trails overlooking Oneida Lake.
Photo courtesy of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Families enjoying a walk on one of Verona Beach State Park's trails overlooking Oneida Lake.
VERONA BEACH - Growing up, summers were synonymous with going to the beach, and one in particular: Verona Beach.
On the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, it held exactly what a Central New York kid wanted in the warmer seasons: sand, swimming, playgrounds and trails to cycle around.
Entering its 77th season operating as a park, Verona was established in 1947 and was one of six state parks acquired in the Central New York region at the time. The total cost of purchasing what is now Verona Beach State Park was $288,888 — roughly $166 per acre. Between the campgrounds and more than 13 miles of trails, the park stretches across 1,734.82 acres.
It’s an ideal place to picnic, with tables scattered throughout grassy areas as well as pavilions and a community room, all within a short walk of the shoreline. Beyond Oneida Lake, the park also has also Black Creek, cattail marshes and bottomland hardwood swamps, making it one of the most diverse aquatic habitats in the area.
It’s long been a gathering place for my family. Its sandy shore and shallow waters were perfect for toddling around and learning to swim. My grandmother would take me there at least once a week to explore the trails, read on the beach or teach me how to watercolor paint en plein air. I wish I could say the lessons sunk in, but the memories have stayed with me.
My cousins and I would race around the park on bikes, going from playground to playground, taking spills and laughing until our stomachs hurt. One, Savannah Miller, has grown her career there, starting as a seasonal employee in 2015 and eventually taking on the role of office manager.
Most summers the park still plays host to our family reunions, which are sizable gatherings. My grandparents had eight children, most of whom have children and grandchildren of their own now. Some still live locally while others have moved across the country, but we all try to make it out for that one weekend of barbecues, catching up and playing baseball.
For park manager Margaret Cosimeno, working at Verona is something of a family tradition.
“My father and my mother worked here at Verona Beach State Park,” Cosimeno said. “They were seasonal, went to long-term seasonal. I've been coming to this park since I [was] around 5 years old. I used to come and help out every once in a while. So this park is a family park to me.”
She started as a seasonal employee and then took a permanent position at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville before returning to Verona in 2012 and working her way up to manager.
“The park is my life,” Cosimeno said.
Over the years, especially since the pandemic, she’s seen a rise in the number of visitors.
“I noticed that we are receiving more and more people coming out to the park more, and more being aware of the trail system that we have. I see a lot more horse riders on our trails. I see that our camping is usually every weekend completely booked,” Cosimeno said.
The campsites start to book up nine months in advance, as do the pavilions. The trails are also fairly popular year-round. There are nine trails to explore, some running through wetlands packed with wildlife.
One of the big draws for campers and day visitors with little ones in tow has been the splash pad, which was installed in 2017 as part of several major upgrades to the park.
Another summertime attraction is Taste of Oneida County. It showcases local food and beverage vendors and artisans. It also features plenty of children's activities including face painting, fairy hair, hover archery and more.
The community event has brought in thousands to Verona Beach since the park began hosting it three years ago. This summer it’s set to run from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 28.
The big draw for me will be the family reunion planned for later in the summer. I’ll bring my daughter for the first time, giving the next generation a chance to experience Verona. At less than a year old, she won’t quite be biking or running around the place, but that will come with time.
If you go
Here are a few ideas for those looking to venture beyond the park before the return trip to the Capital Region:
Sylvan Beach: Located just two miles away from the state park, Sylvan Beach is a resort community with restaurants, amusement park rides and games, fishing spots and rental cottages. It also features the Oneida Lake Arts & Heritage Center, which hosts an art gallery, live music and community arts classes and events.
Turning Stone Resort Casino: Packed with games, restaurants and a sportsplex, along with a spa and music venue, it’s a quick drive from Verona Beach.
For dining options, there’s a food hall with six different eateries, as well as a cafe, sushi restaurant and a confectionery.
This summer, Brad Paisley, Tom Segura, John Legend and others are set to perform at Turning Stone’s event center.
International Boxing Hall of Fame: Just off Exit 34 on I-90, this Canastota museum honors some of the biggest names in the sport. Founded in 1989, it hosts an annual induction ceremony in early June as the highlight of a four-day celebration of boxing and its legends. For information, visit ibhof.com.
Chittenango Falls State Park: This is a bit further afield but the view is worth the drive. The picturesque 167-foot waterfall is the main attraction. There are also some hiking trails and fishing spots. It’s located at 5241 Gorge Road (Route 13) in Cazenovia.
Taste of Oneida County
WHEN: 5-9 p.m., Friday, June 28
WHERE: Verona Beach State Park, 6541 Lakeshore Road, Verona Beach
WHAT: Local vendors showcase their food, beverages, artwork and handcrafted products. It is free to enter the park after 5 p.m. and there will be live music, children's and family activities, a complimentary all-level yoga class, face painting, fairy hair, tasting samples, food trucks, alcohol and more. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.
Photo courtesy of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Families enjoying a walk on one of Verona Beach State Park's trails overlooking Oneida Lake.
