Dear Friend,
I’m writing on behalf of the Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) to share an important update about the Cayuga Waterfront Trail (CWT) and the changes now needed to ensure its long-term sustainability. Owned by the City of Ithaca, and developed with funding from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Trail has been a beloved community resource for residents and visitors alike and a cornerstone of Ithaca’s waterfront revitalization since 2001.
Development of the CWT
The CWT was originally developed under the umbrella of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation with a vision of creating a safe, accessible, and welcoming way to experience all that our waterfront has to offer—supporting recreation, tourism, and quality of life in our community.
From 2001 through 2016, that vision steadily came to fruition. By 2019, the CWT was completed as an eight-mile wide paved path extending from Stewart Park to Treman Marina, connecting people to popular destinations such as the Ithaca Farmers Market, Ithaca Children’s Garden, Cass Park, and other key waterfront assets.
Stewardship by Friends of Stewart Park
Following the Trail’s completion, the Chamber’s role concluded and, in 2020, responsibility for ongoing coordination and support of the CWT was folded into Friends of Stewart Park’s mission of providing safe, accessible, and sustainable open space along Ithaca’s waterfront. While the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is owned by the City of Ithaca, FSP has—with crucial support from the Tompkins County Tourism Program—played an important assisting role by coordinating maintenance, planning and fundraising for trail improvements, and managing sponsorships for trail furnishings and commemorative stepping stones. We are also grateful for the support of many volunteers, trail adopters, and other supporters.
Despite these efforts and support, FSP’s capacity has increasingly been stretched. With only a small part-time staff, we have struggled to keep up with the maintenance needs of both Stewart Park and the CWT—especially as the City of Ithaca’s financial challenges and the aging of the trail itself have shifted additional maintenance responsibilities to us. The strain on our capacity was further exacerbated by the loss of two previously reliable operating funding sources in 2025, and it has now become clear that FSP cannot adequately sustain the maintenance demands of both the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and Stewart Park without new, dependable support.
A New Model for the Future
Recognizing that we can no longer go it alone, FSP is actively working to establish a more sustainable, collaborative model for the maintenance and management of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail—one that reflects the Trail’s importance and the City’s ownership, while ensuring regular care, community safety, and long-term viability. FSP will continue to maintain the portion of the CWT within Stewart Park, while building a framework of shared stewardship that recognizes the core responsibility of the City of Ithaca, supported by a community of nonprofit partners, local volunteers, and funding partners. If you are interested in joining this effort, please reach out to meloney@friendsofstewartpark.org.
We are grateful for the community’s long-standing support of Stewart Park and we appreciate your continued engagement as we work collectively to protect and strengthen the future of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
With appreciation and collaboration,
Meloney McMurry
Executive Director
Friends of Stewart Park
