Last week, Senator Lea Webb announced that she secured $300,000 in state funding for Ithaca’s Cass Park, with funding aimed at supporting capital projects such as bathroom renovations and improvements to storage facilities. This funding comes at a time when local leaders and community members are affirming how crucial Cass Park modernizations are.
On Thursday, June 13, Webb awarded the funding to Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, who was there representing the City, at the park. Webb and Cantelmo made brief statements that underscored the importance of the funding for Cass Park and the Ithaca community.
“When we have great assets such as this, it’s important that as a state and as a community, that we invest in them so that we can continue to enjoy them on beautiful days like this and all year-round,” Senator Webb said. “These funds will help with some pretty necessary renovations and upgrades to the park.”
Back in May, the City received a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) for significant upgrades to the Cass Park pavilion and adjacent bathroom facilities. The newest funding will help pay for some of the same upgrades.
The current project to replace the 1970s Cass Park pavilion and bathroom has an approximate total cost of $988,000, which has been estimated by the Ithaca Youth Bureau, city engineering staff and design consultant Barton & Loguidice. The project has previously faced funding challenges, which have been offset by the $500,000 announced in May and the $300,000 announced last week.
According to a press release from the State Senate, the improvements that this funding supports “essential capital projects,” which will enhance the park’s accessibility and visitor experience. Cass Park is currently managed by the Ithaca Youth Bureau and has 32 athletic fields, two playgrounds, four tennis courts, an olympic-size swimming pool and is a part of Ithaca’s scenic Waterfront Trail and Black Diamond Trail.
“Cass Park, as many of you know, is the hub of the City’s recreational opportunities,” Mayor Cantelmo said. “I am so proud of the incredible impact that youth bureau staff have on local Ithacans and I am so grateful that those efforts are recognized by our leadership in Albany. Senator Webb’s actions today bring us closer to our goal of ensuring that there is opportunity for recreation and enjoyment for all Ithacans.”
In the State Senate’s press release, Youth Bureau staff emphasized the importance of modernizing Cass Park facilities to support their services to youth and the community.
“The Youth Bureau is grateful to Senator Webb for her continued advocacy for local projects that support both youth and the community at large,” Ithaca Youth Bureau Director Greggory Houch said in a press release. “Our City parks play an important role in promoting health through recreation and with the senator’s support, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of fully renovating Cass Park’s aging infrastructure for the benefit of our residents.”
Senator Webb thanked the local community partners, including the youth bureau, City staff and council members and said that without them, the allocation of funding would not have been possible.
“This is one of many investments that I look forward to continue making for not only the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County but our entire Senate district,” Senator Webb said.
Once the renovations are complete, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the park.
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