Scriba has lakeside recreation near Oswego
Scriba is on the shores of Lake Ontario, just four miles outside of Oswego, New York. The town provides a rural escape from the city with plenty of lakeside recreation and green spaces. “A lot of people move to Volney and Scriba because they’re looking for more space, privacy, and a slower pace than the city,” says Sarah Hoefer, an Associate broker with Century 21 Galloway Realty. Hoefer has been working in the industry for 8 years. “You can get a nice piece of land, bigger homes, and still be close to Oswego or Fulton. ...Plenty of folks just want the quiet country life but still be within a quick drive to work, shopping or the lake.” Scriba has boating, fishing and hiking, but its proximity to Oswego allows residents access to urban conveniences.
Boating and fishing in parks and lakes
Wright's Landing, 4 miles away in Oswego, has a marina and William S. Cahill Pier. The pier is an old coal trestle transformed into a scenic walking and biking trail bordered by art pieces and greenery. Nearby is Breitbeck Park, which has a trailway lined with flower beds and a manicured green space. There's a playground and a fitness court. A splashpad is open near the baseball field when it’s hot out, and there’s a basketball court for pickup games.
In Scriba, Sunset Bay Park is a small rocky beach area along the lake. It has two piers and a boat launch off Lake Road. Scriba Town Park is open from June through August and has summer amenities like a pool and a volleyball court. There’s also a lake with a pier for fishing and picnic areas for rent. The Tamarack Golf Club is a public 18-hole course with an option for membership off County Route 1.
Lakefront homes surrounded by greenery
Homes line roadways that branch off the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, surrounded by greenery and Lake Ontario. Most homes are on large, manicured lots built back from the road. Houses have access to public water, but some have septic tanks. Farmhouses, split-levels and ranch-style homes are common. "In Scriba, you also see lakefront homes and cottages,” says Hoefer. Houses range from $75,000 to $375,000. “Property taxes here are definitely higher than other areas,” says Hoefer. “A lot of it comes down to school districts, county services, and the fact that it’s a smaller tax base—so fewer people are footing the bill for infrastructure and services. ...The cost of the home or land itself is more affordable compared to Onondaga County or closer to Syracuse.”
Oswego schools get Cs
Scriba is served by three school districts. Oswego City School District, which gets a C from Niche, serves most of the area. Students may attend Minetto Elementary, which receives a C-plus, Oswego Middle, which gets a C and Oswego High, which gets a B-minus. Students may participate in extracurricular clubs such as drama, art and yearbook. Mexico Academy & Central School, which gets a B and Fulton City School District, which receives a B-minus, also serve Scriba.
State Routes lead to major cities
“Most people commute. Scriba has the power plants and a few other local employers, but a lot of residents work in Oswego, Fulton or Syracuse,” says Hoefer. Near Lake Ontario, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station and Novelis Aluminum Mill are major employers. Using the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, Oswego is 4 miles away. Fulton is 10 miles away using Myers Road. State Route 481 leads 39 miles to Syracuse.
Oswego Hospital is 4 miles away, and the Syracuse Hancock International Airport is 33 miles away. The United Baptist Church of Scriba and Bible Baptist Church are houses of worship along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail.
Shopping and dining along the Gateway Seaway Trail
Most restaurants along the Gateway Seaway Trail, such as Scriba Town Inn, are hotels and bars known for their wings, weekend music, and sports events. Next door is Scriba Meats and Grocery, a locally owned and operated butcher shop selling unique proteins such as alligator, rattlesnake and alpaca. The store also sells fresh produce and other grocery items. Farther along the route is Dahls Diner, a retro-decorated American eatery known for its breakfasts. Oswego has gorcers and big-box stores such as Price Chopper, Lowe's, Aldi and Walmart.
Nuclear power and potential flooding
The Oswego River and Lake Ontario may flood during inclement weather. Heavier snowfall may occur for those close to the lake, as cold air moves over warm water. "Winters here are no joke, so if someone’s not prepared for lake effect snow, that can be a shock,” says Hoefer. “Scriba is right on the lake, so shoreline erosion or storm damage can be concerns in certain spots." In case of a nuclear emergency at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, there are designated evacuation routes for all those within a 10-mile radius of the station, which may be accessed on the city of Oswego website. The station also has siren testing on Tuesdays.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
