Two essential play area projects remain: the playground bathrooms and accessible splash pad. Together, these two features echo your values as a community, creating a more inclusive, accessible, and engaging play area for everyone.
Winterized Bathrooms
The Fuertes Outlook
The Fuertes Overlook in Stewart Park was built in 1933, as a gift to the City from the Cayuga Bird Club (CBC) in honor of the famous ornithologist and artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes, who was instrumental in preserving the bird sanctuary named in his honor and the Renwick Wildwood.
The structure overlooks the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary and “swan pond” which was also funded by the CBC and constructed in 1928.
In 2018, FSP restored the overlook— the interior walls were repaired and grouted, the flagstone reset, new railings were installed, and attractive landscaping was added at the entrance. However, external wall damage was discovered in winter of 2020. Repairs will cost upwards of $24,000.
In 2021, a $20,000 gift in honor of the late Dr. Tapan Mitra has been given to restore the exterior of this beloved Stewart Park landmark.
Stewart Park Playground
Cayuga Waterfront Trail
The City of Ithaca, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce’s Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative, completed the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, an 8 mile, multi-use trail linking Stewart Park to the Visitor Center, Farmers Market, West End, Cass Park and Allan H. Treman State Marine Park.
Future plans to enhance the Waterfront Trail in Stewart Park include extending the trail along the south edge of Stewart Park to create a loop linking the main park entry to the Flagpole Garden, the proposed new playground, the Lagoon, and the pedestrian entry of the park at the pedestrian bridges and boardwalk at the park’s southwest corner.
Historic Building Interpretive Signs
Renwick Wildwood Interpretive Panel & Ecological Restoration
Carousel Restoration
Tea Pavilion
Welcome Gardens
Memorial Flagpole Garden
Picnic Pavilion
Paddling Improvements
Paddling improvements are underway to improve Stewart Park’s public lake access. Stewart Park was identified as one of Ithaca’s canoe and kayak launch sites in the recently completed Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail Master Plan.