Rooted In Community: Local Gems For Families

At Little Roots, we believe it takes a village to raise confident, thriving kids—and we’re so grateful to grow alongside a community full of incredible people and places. This page is our way of sharing the love! Here you’ll find a curated list of trusted local resources—from play spaces and wellness providers to shops and services that support families just like yours.

Whether you’re looking to connect, explore, or simply find a new favorite spot, we hope this guide helps you feel even more rooted in our shared journey of growing together. Because Little Roots loves local—and we know you will too!

Therapies & Developmental Support

  • Thrive SPOT

    Lauren Ruffage is a Speech Language Therapist who offers evaluations and treatment of feeding and swallowing, orofacial myofunctional disorders and speech sound disorders.  Her philosophy is holistic: determine the root cause in order to address a symptom.  Lauren serves children from birth to 12+, providing one-on-one therapy in the home, daycare or school setting.

  • Mini Milestones Physical Therapy

    At Mini Milestones, we strive to provide a whole-body and collaborative approach from infants to adults. Our goal is to improve the quality of life of our clients while increasing their overall functional independence and self-efficacy. Brittany is a national board-certified, registered, and licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, who has a passion for thinking outside of the box and providing individualized care specific to each client and family. She is a Board Certified Neurologic Specialist, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, as well as an Introductory Level C DMI certified practitioner and Certified Primitive Reflex Practitioner.

  • Amy Mack, LCSW, RPT

    Amy Mack, LCSW, RPT a trauma-informed therapist offering play therapy, family counseling, and parent support in Central New York. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, she specializes in play-based approaches, nervous system regulation, and relational healing. Services include individual therapy for children, family counseling, parent coaching, and group workshops grounded in neuroscience and attachment. She specializes in nervous system regulation and connection-based care for children and families.

    She is certified to lead Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: A Parenting and Caregiver Course. This parenting course, which was created by Robyn Gobbel, author of the book by the same name, supports caregivers with better understanding the neuroscience of behavior and provides practical tools for connection, co-regulation, and compassion-based parenting. 

Wellness for Kids & Families

  • The Alexandre Centre For Children's Health

    The Alexandre Centre was created solely to please the children and parents of today. The independent physicians and professionals at the Alexandre Centre ("we") aspire to provide medical care and wellness in a setting where the wonderment and joy are retained, and the heartaches and nightmares are left out. From the moment we opened our doors, the mission has been to build a community of joyful, healthy families. We aim to make a positive difference in children's lives by providing outstanding care and heartfelt service. We practice holistic medicine, integrative medicine, allopathic medicine, homeopathy, food is medicine, complementary medicine, alternative medicine, naturopathy, Ayurveda, amongst others. We invite you to come experience all the Centre has to offer.

  • Primal Chiropractic

    Primal Chiropractic is a family wellness practice specializing in pediatrics, pregnancy, postpartum, & whole family health located in Fayetteville, NY. Primal Chiropractic is designed to make you feel at home, our team has a passion to educate and empower whole families in their holistic health care journey. The body houses your nervous system, the most PRIMAL part of you, our goal is to help you tap into its true potential, and become the BEST version of yourself!

Support & Connection

  • Cuse Mom's Club

    Cuse Moms’ Club is connection and support for moms in Syracuse. This club strives to find, share and plan adventures for you and your littles around the area!

  • 5 Moons Doula

    Jessica of 5 Moons Doula has a deep passion for supporting birthing families, bringing a well-rounded foundation of training and hands-on experience to her doula practice. As your doula, she’s there to support you with knowledge, compassion, and confidence every step of the way — from pregnancy through birth and into the postpartum period. Her qualifications include:

    Certified Birth Doula (2021): Professionally trained and certified to support families through labor and delivery with evidence-based care and emotional, physical, and informational support.

    Prevention and Treatment of Maternal Birth Trauma (2021): Specialized training focused on identifying, preventing, and addressing birth-related trauma, ensuring compassionate care and mental wellness for birthing individuals.

    Certified Postpartum Doula (2023): Equipped to provide essential support in the early postpartum period, including newborn care, emotional support, and guidance during the transition to parenthood.

    Spinning Babies® Workshop Attendee (April 2024): Hands-on training in physiological techniques to support optimal fetal positioning and comfort in pregnancy and labor, enhancing birth outcomes and reducing interventions.

    Certified VBAC Doula (2025): Trained to support clients planning a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), offering informed, personalized care rooted in the latest research and best practices.

    Certifying Placenta Encapsulator (2025): Currently completing certification in placenta encapsulation to provide an additional holistic service aimed at postpartum recovery and hormonal balance.

    Every family’s journey is different, and her goal is to walk beside you with respect, warmth, and evidence-based care — wherever your path leads.

Creative Play & Learning

  • My Gym Children's Fitness Center

    My Gym offers Mommy & Me classes, independent beginner gymnastics classes, camps and birthday parties for children starting as young as 4 months all the way up until 8 years old! With new class curriculum, fun themed camps and exclusive use of the entire facility for birthday parties, My Gym is a no brainer.

  • Play2Learn

    Play2Learn is a weekly program that offers parent child classes in Dewitt, Baldwinsville and Skaneateles. We offer a Baby Sensorimotor class for ages 5 months-16 months and our Multi Age Art & Sensory Class is ideal for ages 18 months-age 5. Founded by a mother and former teacher, we've created a class that encourages healthy development during the early childhood years. Each class offers a new theme, stories, music and movement, art and sensory play and of course promotes socialization and language development. Contact play2learntt@gmail.com to schedule a free demo class and be sure to stream the Play2Learn Podcast to learn from experts in the fields of parenting and early childhood development. 

Outdoor Adventure & Nature Spots

  • Green Lakes State Park

    Located just east of Syracuse in Fayetteville, NY, Green Lakes State Park is renowned for its two stunning glacial lakes—Green Lake and Round Lake—both exhibiting a vivid turquoise hue due to their unique meromictic nature, where surface and bottom waters do not mix. Round Lake is designated as a National Natural Landmark, and the park boasts one of Central New York's largest stands of old-growth forest, including the majestic "Tuliptree Cathedral." Families can enjoy a sandy swimming beach, boat rentals (note: private boats are not permitted), over 15 miles of scenic trails suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing, and an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. The park also offers 137 campsites, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a nature center. In winter, activities like snowshoeing and skiing are popular. Green Lakes State Park is accessible year-round and provides an all-terrain beach wheelchair for visitors with mobility needs.

  • Clark Reservation State Park

    Located in Jamesville, NY, just southeast of Syracuse, Clark Reservation State Park is a geological marvel shaped by the last Ice Age. The park features rugged limestone cliffs, rocky outcrops, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and Glacier Lake—a rare meromictic lake formed in a glacial plunge basin where surface and bottom waters do not mix. Families can explore over 6 miles of interconnected trails, including the Cliff Trail, which offers ledge overlooks 175 feet above the water. The park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, boasting a diverse array of plant species, including the endangered American hart's tongue fern. Birdwatchers may spot cedar waxwings, kingfishers, and woodpeckers. The Nature Center operates seasonally from mid-May through Labor Day, offering exhibits and weekend guided nature walks. Additional amenities include picnic areas, pavilions, a playground, and fishing opportunities. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

  • Chittenango Falls

    Located in Cazenovia, NY, Chittenango Falls State Park is renowned for its breathtaking 167-foot waterfall, cascading over ancient bedrock sculpted by glaciers more than 400 million years ago. The park offers scenic trails that lead visitors through lush woodlands to various vantage points, including a footbridge at the base of the falls, providing stunning views of the cascade. Families can enjoy picnicking in designated areas equipped with tables and grills, and children can explore the playground facilities. The park is also a haven for nature enthusiasts, featuring diverse plant life and serving as the exclusive habitat for the endangered Chittenango ovate amber snail. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset, Chittenango Falls State Park provides a perfect setting for hiking, photography, and appreciating the natural beauty of Central New York.

  • Pratts Falls Park

    Located in Pompey, NY, just southeast of Syracuse, Pratt's Falls Park is a hidden gem offering a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The park's centerpiece is a stunning 137-foot ribbon waterfall, cascading down rugged cliffs into a serene gorge. Formed by retreating glaciers, this geological wonder was also the site of Onondaga County's first mill operation in 1796. Visitors can explore over five miles of scenic trails, including the Falls Trail, which leads to an overlook providing breathtaking views of the waterfall. The park features picnic areas equipped with tables and grills, making it an ideal spot for family outings. Additional amenities include an archery range, restrooms, and the historic Camp Brockway lodge, available for group events. Please note that mountain biking is not permitted in the park. Pratt's Falls Park is open seasonally from April through October, with a nominal vehicle admission fee. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the park offers accessible facilities to accommodate visitors of all abilities.

  • Onondaga Lake Park

    Located along the eastern shore of Onondaga Lake in Liverpool, NY, Onondaga Lake Park is a vibrant and family-friendly destination with something for everyone. The park features over seven miles of scenic paved trails, perfect for walking, biking, running, and rollerblading, with separate lanes for different activities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Families will enjoy the large playgrounds, shaded picnic areas, and the Wegmans Playground, which includes inclusive and accessible equipment. The park is also home to a seasonal skate park, a dog park, and kayak and paddleboard rentals in warmer months. Visitors can explore historical exhibits along the Shoreline Walking Trail or relax while taking in beautiful lake views. Onondaga Lake Park is open year-round and hosts a variety of seasonal events and festivals, including outdoor concerts, holiday light displays, and community gatherings. With its well-maintained facilities and wide range of activities, it's a popular spot for recreation and relaxation for all ages.

Local Finds We Love

  • Fayetteville Farmer's Market

    The Fayetteville Farmer’s Market gives you a chance to meet your local farmers and experience the freshest best tasting products. Get to know your farmers and who grows your food. Everything they sell they produce, so you know it’s the best. Come out and support the local economy and give your taste buds a treat! We are a foods and/or drinks related products only market.

Events & Seasonal Fun

  • Mommy & Me Yoga Day With Cuse Moms' Club

    Join us for a day of connection with your baby or toddler this summer! Two separate yoga classes will be offered—one for Mom & Baby and a second for Mom & Toddler. More details to come from Little Roots and Cuse Moms’ Club about this fun collaboration!

    Tentatively planned for Tuesday, July 29th!

  • Little Roots On The Play2Learn Podcast

    This summer Little Roots will be guest speaking on the Play2Learn Podcast! Stay tuned—we will be discussing the importance of sensory integration and play in the first few years of life for optimal growth and development in babies and toddlers.

  • Back-To-School Event With Primal Chiropractic

    Little Roots and Primal Chiropractic are teaming up to bring you a back-to-school day, where you’ll learn about growth and development cues to keep an eye on as your child transitions back to a school setting or goes to school for the first time, as well as discuss brain and spinal wellness within your child. Keep on the look out for more details about this end-of-summer event—it’s never too early to set your child up for success in the classroom!