Stewart Park, Ithaca

Stewart Park was originally part of the James Renwick estate. It was military lot No. 88 which had been granted to Andrew Moody of the Revolutionary Army on July 9, 1790. It was then sold to James Renwick on December 12, 1790 and remained in that family, undeveloped, for 104 years. In the early 1890's, two separate events occurred that resulted in what is known today as Stewart Park. The park contained a zoo, a merry-go-round, and the renovation of the dance pavilion for use as Ithaca's first vaudeville theater. In 1908, due to the decrease in ridership, the Cayuga Lake Electric Railway Company was dissolved and the Renwick Park and Traffic Association was formed to replace it. Sometime around 1915, trolley access to the park was discontinued. At this same time, 55 acres south of the park were set aside as a bird sanctuary and maintained by the Cayuga Bird Club. This area was named after the club's president upon his death in 1927 and became known as Fuertes Bird Sanctuary. Today, Stewart Park is a regionally active park with several facilities including pavilions (available for rent), tennis courts, a playground with several play structures including a carousel, athletic fields, a duck pond, a spray pool, and a bird sanctuary. Stewart Park also has an array of trees growing in it.

Stewart Park is open from dawn to dusk throughout the year and is always free to all. You can visit Stewart Park by bus, foot, bike, car or paddlecraft.

Formerly the site of the Wharton Brothers silent movie studios, Stewart Park celebrates its 100th birthday as a public park in 2021. Stewart Park on the south end of Cayuga Lake has expansive flat ground, grand willow trees, an accessible playground, a spray pool, picnic area, tennis courts, municipal golf course, and the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary. No swimming access as this park, however fishing spots are open to the public. You can visit Stewart Park by public bus, foot, bike, and paddlecraft. Picnic pavilion rental and public grills are also available. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is an 8 mile, multi-use trail providing an active, non-motorized transportation and recreation way connecting Stewart Park with the Ithaca Farmers Market, Ithaca Children’s Garden, Cass Park, Treman Marina, and more.

Stewart Park is a municipal park operated by the City of Ithaca, New York on the southern end of Cayuga Lake, the largest of New York's Finger Lakes. Stewart park offers space and facilities for outdoor recreation such as frisbee, tennis, basketball, paddling, and fishing. The park has a carousel that operates throughout the summer. There is an expansive, accessible playground that includes features to make it easier for children with wheelchairs or mobility aids to play, along with a splash pad fountain that runs in summer. Picnic tables and grills are spread throughout the park, and sheltered areas for picnics and large gatherings are available for rental. The wide, flat ADA compliant Cayuga Waterfront Trail runs through the park. Fall Creek empties into Cayuga Lake through Stewart Park. Stewart Park is also the location of the Cascadilla Boat Club's boathouse, commonly called the Cascadilla Boathouse. The Fuertes Bird Sanctuary and Renwick Wildwood are popular locations for birdwatching within Stewart Park. Newman Golf Course, the City of Ithaca's municipal golf course, is technically part of Stewart Park's 177 acres (72 ha).

The Stewart Park Inclusive Playground is a multi-structure state-of-the-art playscape that invites children and caretakers of all abilities to play together! ***PH***