Winter is coming - in Stewart Park & along the Trail. Plus Centennial news!

December 15, 2020

Winter is on the way, but Stewart Park and the Waterfront Trail are still providing a valuable service to our community-- providing you with a safe outdoor spaces for recreation, relaxation, and rendezvous. In this issue, we bring you recent pictures from the Park and Trail, and news for 2021!

On July 4th, 1921, the City of Ithaca celebrated Independence Day with the opening of Stewart Park -- Ithaca’s first public waterfront park. Friends of Stewart, with its partners Wharton Studio Museum and the City of Ithaca, will celebrate Stewart Park’s Centennial in 2021 with a variety of entertaining, engaging, and informative events and exhibits.

And, of course, FSP and the City’s 2021 revitalization projects will be in full-swing, including the exterior restoration of the historic Cascadilla Boathouse and construction of new all-season accessible bathrooms in the historic Wharton Studio building.

Stay tuned for more centennial celebration details!

THE PEOPLE'S PARK

Artist Gerry Monaghan says he loves to create in Stewart Park. The smooth black surface of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail makes for an excellent canvas for his chalk drawing, and the wind blowing through the willows brings his dynamic toothpick sculptures to life. Park visitors love to see his whimsical and interactive creations. Read more about Gerry's art.

The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is a great place for Skateboarding. This stretch of Stewart Park is always especially free of debris even as chilly winds drop twigs and leaves in other locations.

The roofs of the new School Age Playground peek out from the the other side of the berm.

ALONG THE WATERFRONT TRAIL

The Cass Park Ice Skating season is in full swing. for COVID safety, only 40 skaters will be allowed per session, with only a few walk-in spots available for each. It's highly recommended to pre-register for your spot. You can do this on the Cass Park Rink website. The website is also loaded with everything else you need to know for skating, including dates & times, COVID-19 protocols, prices and rental information.

The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility is located along the CWT near the Ithaca Farmers Market. This facility can treat up to 13.1 million gallons of wastewater every day, collecting and treating used water from homes and businesses before sending it back into Cayuga Lake. In partnership with Ithaca Murals, local artist Norma Gutierrez created a four-panel mural for this site, depicting our local cyclical water system. Read more about the new mural and the water cycle here.

Newer benches along the Waterfront Trail have poured concrete all around, with space on one side for better accessibility. The flat surfacing makes it easier for anyone to sit and enjoy these views, even if you use a walker, wheelchair, or stroller! Accessibly has been a priority for Friends of Stewart Park from day one!

MORE PARK & TRAIL NEWS

SAVE THE DATE
Birds of Stewart Park with
Dr. Steven Kress
February 24, 2021, 7pm

Join FSP for for the first event in our Centennial series, as guest Dr. Stephen Kress, author and ornithologist, introduces some of the more than 100 bird species that frequent Stewart Park.

Steve is well known in the Ithaca community and beyond as an entertaining teacher who uses stunningly beautiful photographs and audio recordings to enliven his presentations. Stewart Park is among the best birding spots in the Finger Lakes because of its diverse habitats that include lake, ponds, forests, brushy areas, and grassy fields.

This online program, for beginning and avid bird enthusiasts, explains why Stewart Park is such a popular destination for both birders and birds.

WE'RE HONORED
FSP Receives Pride of Ownership Award for Inclusive Playground.

Thank you to the City of Ithaca, the Rotary Club of Ithaca and the Pride of
Ownership Committee for this wonderful recognition

Friends of Stewart Park would like to thank the design team, project partners, all the staff and build volunteers, New York State, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, the Park Foundation and hundreds of other large and small donors. This Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership Award means a lot.

COLLECTING MEMORIES
Send FSP your Stewart Park Pics and Stories

Did you skate on the lagoon in Stewart Park? Or maybe pet a deer in the
zoo? Perhaps you swam out to the raft in Cayuga Lake? FSP is celebrating Stewart Park's 100th anniversary in 2021 and we'd love you to share your memories with us! Send us stories and pictures so we can share them for the Centennial! We'd especially love to find more pictures from 1921-1980.

Send to memories@friendsofstewartpark.org

Friends of Stewart Park is a non-profit organization with a mission to enhance, revitalize and maintain Stewart Park and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, in partnership with the City of Ithaca and park stakeholders, for the enjoyment of Ithaca residents and visitors to our community.

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Our address is:
120 Brindley St. Suite 4, Ithaca, NY 14850

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