Ithaca, NY – Earlier today, Assemblymember Kelles joined other local leaders in celebrating the official opening of the new, expanded and accessible splash pad at Stewart Park. Assemblymember Kelles secured a total of $500,000 in capital funds for the upgraded splash pad and an addition to the park's Large Pavilion. The event marked the installation of the splash pad revitalization and the addition to the Wharton Studio Museum.

Stewart Park has been an important outdoor destination for the Ithaca community, all surrounding communities, and visitors for over 100 years. Over the last decade the City of Ithaca in partnership with the Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum have led a comprehensive revisioning and renovation of all of the amenities throughout the park. Renovations to date have significantly improved equitable access to nature and to the physical and emotional well-being that nature promotes, with a specific focus on improving long-term environmental sustainability and accessibility of the pavilions, play spaces, and the waterfront.

Today’s ribbon cutting celebrated the completion of a new splash pad and bathrooms to the existing play space on the park grounds. Assemblymember Kelles granted $250,000 that was matched by $500,000 from a NYS Park Development grant awarded in December 2021, and $100,000 from foundations and private donors, which allowed for the new splash pad, bathrooms, and design development for the Wharton Studio Park Center (WSPC). 

The new splash pad is significantly larger than the prior pad that had a cement ledge which fully restricted accessibility. The new pad lies flush with the ground and is surrounded by wide walkways connecting to the accessible playground and a new bathroom facility, including one family room designed with a changing table for older disabled youth. The splash pad itself offers more dynamic, engaging spray features, providing children relief from the summer heat. 

This Assemblymember grant is in addition to an initial capital grant from Assemblymember Kelles of $250,000 awarded last year to the city, Friends of Stewart Park, and the Wharton Studio Museum to expand the park Large Pavilion, home for the park summer camps, to include a 6,000 square-foot pavilion addition that will include a large wash area and storage for equipment used by day campers. Once complete, camp staff and children will be able to access all materials needed for the camp without the need to cross the busy parking lot to retrieve items from the current Wharton Studio building currently being used for storage. This will also free part of the Wharton Studio for a future cafe highlighting the important history of the Wharton Studio to the world of film in the early 1900s. 

“I am so thankful to the City of Ithaca, Friends of Stewart Park, The Wharton Studio Museum and all the amazing community members who joined together to bring this vision to life. This splash pad and adjoining bathrooms expands the park playspace that includes a fully accessible playground and carousel. Access to nature is so incredibly important for both physical and mental health and these new amenities ensure that truly everyone can come to this park and enjoy nature including finding a playful escape from the sweltering heat of summer. My own childhood memories are filled with countless hours in this park, and it was an absolute honor to help realize this gorgeous expansion to create many memories for all of our children for years to come,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles.

“Friends of Stewart Park is so thankful to assemblymember Kelles and New York State parks for their generous support for the Stewart Park accessible splash pad. It took years to bring this to fruition but the joyful response from all the kids was beyond what we could have imagined,” said Rick Manning, Executive Director of Friends of Stewart Park.

“It was an incredibly exciting event. I feel strongly that the Friends of Stewart Park and the Wharton Studio Museum have put in a lot of work and a lot of long-range planning to protect an incredible tourism and community asset. And their efforts are to be applauded,” said Greg Mezey, Tompkins County Legislator.

“Stewart Park is a much beloved destination for residents and visitors to Ithaca and the region. The Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum are so grateful to be able to work on this historic park’s revitalization and we thank those who helped support all the projects,” said Diana Riesman, Friends of Stewart Park Board President and Executive Director of Wharton Studio Museum.