Long Branch Park is along the western shore of the Onondaga Lake Outlet. Not to be confused with Onondaga Lake Park, Long Branch Park was originally founded as an amusement park in 1882 by one Mr. George Maurer. An avid lover of chestnuts, chestnut trees, and the whimsical fancy of amusement park rides, and attractions George wanted to provide the sodium-chloride workers of Syracuse a reprise from their work days. As the sign above the entrance pleaded with those who came “Let All Who Enter Here Leave Care Behind.” The park included boxing arenas, arcades, bowling, trolley rides, carousels, billiards, ice boating (only in winter), and row boating. Oh, the row boating. Nothing this splendid can last forever and long have been absent the aforementioned attractions since the amusement side of the park closed in 1938. However, still today you can catch a ride on the restored original #18 Carousel that finds its home in the Destiny USA shopping mall. Be warned, before rushing for that nostalgic ride from yesteryear I implore you to please read my review of the Destiny USA mall; consider wisely my friend.