Give new meaning to Spring Cleaning!

April 12, 2021

Volunteers from the Ithaca Dragon Boat Club, from Left to Right: Rececca Cubitt, Paul Norton, Surya Saha, Liz Norton, Jorj Buchholz, Paula Loskamp, Shaan Jena and Sally Lockwood.

Dear Friends,

As much as I crave spring's sunshine, Sunday's April showers felt just right. Rain is much-needed this season -- for spring flowers and for Ithaca's rowing community since the lake level is still very low! Speaking of rowers, on April 28, 2021, FSP is excited to present its third program in our Centennial Virtual Series, focused on the fascinating history of competitive rowing in Ithaca. Rowing brought Cornell its first national championship in collegiate athletics, and has remained one of the university’s most decorated programs. With the successes and stories around Ithaca College and the Cascadilla Boat Club’s rowers, this makes for a great story to share. We're pleased to be joined by Todd Kennett, Cornell’s Director of Rowing; Bruce Fabens, former President of the Cascadilla Boat Club; and Caryn Davies, Olympic double gold & silver medalist, and Andrew Byrnes, Olympic gold & silver medalist for the presentation.

Spring activities are in full blossom in Stewart Park and all along the Waterfront Trail. We are now in the process of renovating and winterizing the bathrooms in the Wharton Studio Pavilion (aka maintenance building). We apologize for the temporary porta-johns, but think it’s a fair trade-off for nicer and year-round bathrooms.

Thanks to Historic Ithaca and the City, and with FSP support and cheerleading, the exterior restoration of the Cascadilla Boathouse is about to begin, and we could not be more excited! Do watch the progress this summer, and this fall we look forward to celebrating the completion of this restoration project of the park’s most beautiful and historically significant building.

Volunteers have already begun helping to maintain Stewart Park and the Waterfront Trail! The wonderful group representing the Ithaca Dragon Boat Club and pictured above recently cleaned up the Cass Park Bird Garden, Inlet Overlook and Priscilla Point. The Annual Stewart Park Waterfront Cleanup is this coming Saturday, April 17 from 10 - 12. Join us for some mulching of trees and gardens in the park, as well as litter pick-up! We remain so grateful to all our volunteers!

Stay well and see you in the park,

Rick Manning
Executive Director

Give new meaning to Spring Cleaning!

Volunteer with FSP and give new meaning to spring cleaning! Help us ready Stewart Park and the Waterfront Trail shorelines for an incredible Centennial summer! Join us this Saturday, April 17 from 10 am to 12 pm for a morning of spring cleaning!

The long term forecast looks promising, but be sure to dress for the weather. We recommend boots! Bring gloves and, if you can, garbage bags, litter grabbers, or anything else that will help. Together we'll practice good stewardship of our city park in this special year!

Be sure to wear a mask as COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed! Email Rick for more information.

Turn left when you enter the park to meet by the Information Kiosk near the new playground.

Spread the word by sharing this event on Facebook.

Friends of Stewart Park in the News

FSP is honored to have been named Tompkins Chamber member of the week!

Thank you to the Ithaca Times for their article on the Stewart Park Centennial. If you didn't have a chance to pic up a copy, no worries! You can still read it online here.

Give Back: Centennial Challenge

Over the last pandemic year, Stewart Park has provided you with safe outdoor spaces to recreate, relax, and commune with nature — just as it has for the last 100 years.

We know many of you are looking at how your stimulus money can be used locally for maximum impact in the community. We encourage you to consider giving back by making a gift to Stewart Park in this, its Centennial year.

Stewart Park has given you 100.
We invite you to give 100 back to Stewart Park.

Join your community in the Mayor Stewart Centennial Challenge. Together we'll keep Stewart Park beautiful for its next 100 years.

Give back today

Upcoming Events

Learn more and register

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More Park & Trail News

CENTENNIAL EVENTS
Updated Calendar

Friends of Stewart Park is celebrating the park's Centennial all year long with
a number of virtual and safe in-person events. We've recently made some
updates and scaled back some events to ensure everyone's safety. Learn
more on the Centennial Events Page of our website.

These events and exhibits are made possible in part by our Centennial
Sponsors: Tompkins Trust Company; Hancock Estabrook, LLP; La Tourelle;
Parkitects; and Taitem Engineering.

LAWN SIGNS
Spread the word!

Let everyone know about the Mayor Stewart Centennial Challenge! You can do that in-person, on Facebook Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or in your front yard!

If you live in a well-trafficked, low MPH neighborhood and would like to support the Centennial Challenge with a cute yard sign like this one, let us know by emailing or calling the office at 607-319-4766 and we'll get you one!

RUNNING CHALLENGE
Virtual Challenge on the Waterfront

The FLRC Challenge is the Ithaca area’s all-new virtual running initiative for 2021. It takes local runners to 10 area courses, split evenly between road and trail, and with distances ranging from 1 mile to the half marathon. Your mission is to run, walk, or hike as many courses as you can in 2021. Register today and complete them all to win the coveted FLRC Challenge medal!

STEWARTPARK100
Use the hashtag to celebrate Stewart Park!

2021 is a special year. As you capture all your favorite moments, we invite you to share your love for Stewart Park and let everyone know about the centennial by tagging your social media pics with the hashtag #Stewartpark100!