Your support is making an impact!

December 6, 2023

It’s the season when your support is needed to pave the way for a productive year ahead. 2023 has been a “groundbreaking” year and we could not have broken ground or cut any ribbons without your tremendous help and encouragement. Highlights include:

Stewart Park being added this past May to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that opens new state and federal funding opportunities for our park revitalization efforts.

And speaking of groundbreaking, FSP is excited to be entering into a contract with Edger Enterprises in Elmira, NY, for construction of the new Splash Pad and Seasonal Bathroom building adjacent to the playground. This project, a long time in the planning, was made possible by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund; funding procured through Assemblymember Anna Kelles; and support from private donors. Our goal is to have the project completed by July 4, 2024.

Great progress is being made on the Wharton Studio & Café in partnership with Wharton Studio Museum (WSM). Bero Architecture is leading a planning study for the cafe which involves informational meetings with local café operators to gain a sense of space needs and management. Also, the Addition to the Picnic Pavilion, which will house Stewart Park Day Camp equipment currently stored in the Wharton Studio Building’s lake-facing rooms, is going out to bid in the next few weeks. The Addition will not only enhance the camp’s safety and operations but also pave the way for the Wharton Studio & Café. Kudos to Assemblymember Kelles for securing $250,000 in NYS funding for the Addition project.

The only thing better than a groundbreaking is a ribbon cutting and FSP co-hosted one in October with Historic Ithaca and WSM. Two new interpretive signs were installed: one recounts the history of the Erie Canal at Stewart Park, the other is an illustrative map highlighting all the park has to offer visitors. Thank you to the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor for its support.

FSP recently installed three new locally-fabricated ‘gliders’ along the north edge of the park overlooking Cayuga Lake thanks to generous donors.

We thank the City of Ithaca, Wharton Studio Museum, and Historic Ithaca for their partnership in our park revitalization efforts and thank the volunteers who help keep the park and trail beautiful, as well as our great Board of Directors and Staff.

And thank YOU! FSP’s groundbreaking work is only possible with your support. Make an end-of-year gift and help us continue this good work. We truly appreciate your generosity.

All the best this holiday season!

Rick and Diana