Pavilion Addition Groundbreaking, New Hats for Sale, and P4P Thank You

Pavilion Addition Groundbreaking, New Hats for Sale, and P4P Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended, bought tickets, or donated to Party for the Park! Last Saturday's Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum’s annual fundraiser — our 9th — was a wonderful success. All proceeds from the event support park revitalization!


FSP and WSM were gratified to present the 2024 StewarTship Awards, which recognize our dedicated partners and volunteers, to these deserving honorees: Nick Helmholdt, Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability; Jennifer Tavares/Tompkins Chamber of Commerce; Steve Lauzun, formerly of Parkitects and the FSP board; and our volunteer of the year, Ryszard Usack

So many partygoers got into the Roaring 20s spirit with their beautiful outfits and accessories. Capturing it all was Jyl’s Photo Booth. See the pictures online here.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

  • Lincoln Morse of Discover Ithaca for our Raffle grand prize.

  • FlipBooKit and the City of Ithaca for donating items for the Raffle.

  • Andrew Woodruff for the lovely jazz piano.

  • Everyone who helped set up or take down the party.

  • Laura Hunsinger, Andy Sciarabba, and Sally Manning for going the extra mile.

  • Gregg Houck for his remarks and his silent film director inspired outfit.

  • VanNobel Farms for the delicious food.

  • The Volunteers who helped clean the exterior of the Picnic Pavilion for the party, especially Rick and Carol.

  • Frank Muller for taking candid photos.

The 9th Annual Party for the Park was made possible by these generous Sponsors:

Groundbreaking

On Monday, Sept. 23, Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum held a Groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction of a new Addition to the back of the historic Picnic "Large" Pavilion. Officials from the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County officials, FSP and WSM board members, and supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking.


Built in 1894, today the Picnic Pavilion is a popular venue for spring, summer and fall weddings, parties and other gatherings. In the summer, it is home base for Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Stewart Park Summer Day Camp which has operated out of the building for over 60 years. This new Addition creates safer and more accessible storage for equipment and supplies for Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Camp staff and campers.


The project also paves the way for the future Wharton Studio & Café in the Wharton Studio Building across the way, where camp equipment and supplies are currently housed. The lake-facing 1000 sq. feet of the historic Wharton Studio Building, a vibrant motion picture studio from 1915-1921, is being developed into exhibit space and a café that will bring to life and highlight the unique history of the building. READ MORE.

Hats for Sale

Caps for sale! Friends of Stewart Park has new hats for sale in three different styles. A Stewart Park hat is a great way to show your love for the park, and they make great gifts!


Hats can purchased online and picked up at the FSP office in the Aeroplane Factory Building at 120 Brindley Street. Shipping or delivery may be available in certain situations. Message info@friendsofstewartpark.org to arrange.

From Wharton Studio Museum

October 2024 is the 13th year of Silent Movie Month in Ithaca! Event details coming soon! Follow Wharton Studio Museum on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all that’s happening during Silent Movie Month!

Ground Broken for Addition to Large Pavilion in Stewart Park

Ground Broken for Addition to Large Pavilion in Stewart Park

Ithaca, NY — Wednesday, September 25, 2024: On Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Stewart Park,  Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) and Wharton Studio Museum(WSM) held a Groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction of a new Addition to the back of the historic Picnic "Large" Pavilion. Officials from the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County officials, FSP and WSM board members, and supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking.

Built in 1894, today the Picnic Pavilion is a popular venue for spring, summer and fall weddings, parties and other gatherings. In the summer, it is home base for Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Stewart Park Summer Day Camp which has operated out of the building for over 60 years. This new Addition creates safer and more accessible storage for equipment and supplies for Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Camp staff and campers. The build will also greatly enhance the aesthetic of the pavilion’s south facade. 

The project also paves the way for the future Wharton Studio & Café in the Wharton Studio Building across the way, where camp equipment and supplies are currently housed. The lake-facing 1000 sq. feet of the historic Wharton Studio Building, a vibrant motion picture studio from 1915-1921, is being developed into exhibit space and a café that will bring to life and highlight the unique history of the building.

Funding for the approximately 900 square foot Picnic Pavilion Addition was provided by New York State through Assemblymember Anna Kelles with funds totaling $250,000; and by State Senator Lea Webb with a CREST grant totaling $120,000.  Approximately $95,000 was raised through private donors. 


At Monday’s noon Groundbreaking, remarks were made by members of FSP and WSM, as well as Common Council Member Pierre Saint-Perez (3rd Ward); Gregg Houck, Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau;  Jennifer Tavares, President of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce; Cathy Emilian, District Office Director for Assemblymember Anna Kelles; Korin Kirk, Community Affairs Director for State Senator Lea Webb; and Jennifer Ahrens of Bero Architecture in Rochester who is leading the project.  WL Kline is the construction company in charge of the project. The project is slated for completion by spring 2025 in time for the camp and rental season.