The new Stewart Park Playground is complete, but two essential play area projects remain: the accessible playground bathrooms and bigger, better Splash Pad. Together, these two features—echo your values as a community, creating a more inclusive, accessible, and engaging play area for everyone. The Wharton Studio Park, an important part of early American movie will also help to highlight the historical aspects of Stewart Park.
Wharton Studio Park
Highlighting the unique role the Wharton, Inc. Studio and Ithaca played in early American movie making, the Wharton Studio Park Center, developed in partnership with Wharton Studio Museum, will be created from the northernmost rooms of the Wharton Studio building. The space will include local film exhibits, a small shop/office, year-round restrooms, and café with indoor/outdoor seating. Want to learn more or make a gift toward this project? Contact Diana Riesman at driesman@whartonstudiomuseum.org.
Accessible Splash Pad
It’s time to replace Stewart Park’s current water play area—a sprinkler feature that is over 70 years old and almost exclusively enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers—with a new Splash Pad that you can be proud of. The beautiful new Splash Pad will be significantly larger and offer dynamic spray features that will provide hours of fun for children of more ages. New accessible surfacing will lie flush with the ground, replacing harsh curbs that hinder people who use mobility aids. Water conservation measures, including a push start button and timed water shutoff, will reduce water waste when kids aren’t using the splash pad. A beautiful mural of the Finger Lakes will adorn the floor of the splash pad. You can help make this upgrade a reality!
Playground Bathrooms
A new seasonal bathroom building, adjacent to the splash pad, will evoke a sigh of relief from kids and parents alike! Located within the play area, this ADA-compliant restroom will match strides with FSP’s goals for parkwide inclusivity by providing an all-gender family bathroom with an adult changing table, as well as women’s and men’s restrooms.
