Spring 2013 News and Notes

SAVE THE DATE:  Tunes for the Trail - Friday, May 3
Featuring the Terry Burns-Ron Kristy Band & Paris Texas (Bobby Henrie and Rick Manning) on Friday, May 3 @ 7:30 pm.  At La Tourelle downstairs performance space.  Funds to benefit the design and construction of the Chris Bordoni Fitness Trailhead on the Cass Park Trail. 

Waterfront Trail Development Update
Ithaca is fortunate to have two wonderful 2 mile sections of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail completed, the Cass Park Trail loop and the Farmers Market to Stewart Park & Visitor Center sections.  CWTI is continually working to enhance these sections with new interpretive signs, benches, trailheads and other furnishings.  Much of that work depends on the support of our community of enthusiastic users.  

As most of you know, two projects remain vital to the realization of our vision for a safe and accessible 6 mile Waterfront Trail:

1. Cass Park to Farmers Market Connection:  New York State's Department of Transportation has taken over the right-of-way acquisition for this section of the trail.  This has proven time consuming and expensive as the state sorts out project mapping and ownership for a complex set of public and private owners along the 1.5 mile route.  As of mid-February 2013, the maps have been completed and this spring DOT's real estate department will approach property owners and prepare appraisals for the trail easements.  Offers will be made to landowners, likely during the summer.  Final design for this section will proceed this year with the goal of construction now in the 2014 season. 

2. Route 13 Crossings at Dey and 3rd Streets:  This project has proven to be more costly and time consuming than anticipated, primarily due to negotiations with the Norfolk Southern Railroad and some surprising land ownership patterns that emerged during project design.  Final right-of-way maps have been prepared for this project and designs for railroad crossings have been developed, so this project can move forward on a similar timeline as described above.

We share your strong desire to complete this project as soon as possible and appreciate your patience and support.  We also applaud the City of Ithaca's steadfast commitment to completing this important project. We need your help.  Please Donate, volunteer and join our newsletter to keep receiving project updates.

Rick Manning, Coordinator
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative

Jean McPheeters, President
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

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  Mud, Sweat & Cheers: A Benefit for the Bordoni Fitness Trailhead

  Coming Saturday, May 11

  In support of the Chris Bordoni Fitness Trailhead, Island Health & Fitness, the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, and many local sponsors listed below, are organizing a fundraising event to raise funding to construct a fitness trailhead to honor Corporal Chris Bordoni's life, service and love of fitness.

  Mud, Sweat and Cheers invites teams of five to overcome tests of strength, endurance and agility with challenges and obstacles along 5 kilometers of the west Cayuga Waterfront Trail. The entry fee is $40 each ($30 for military and law enforcement personnel.)

  Online registration will open on April 1st (no kidding!).  To register and learn more visit  the Mud, Sweat and Cheers page.

  Special thanks to our event sponsors:

  Cayuga Medical Center  Cayuga Center for Healthy Living
  Boatyard Grill   Bangs Amulance   Chemung Canal Trust Company   Rasa Spa   Ithaca PBA   1160 ESPN Radio  
  The Computing Center   Ithaca Bakery/Agava   Smart Yogurt  GraphTex  Tompkins Trust Company   Stazi Construction

  The month-long celebration include exhibits in 4 locations; Trip the Light Fantastic, The History Center, 401 E. State St., Pratfalls & Paramours, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell, 430 College  Ave., Lights, Cameras, Silents!, Tompkins County Public Library, Green Street & Photo Players, lobby of Tompkins Trust Co. on the Commons; screenings at

  TCPL, Gimme! Coffee on West State St. and Cinemapolis and On Location in Stewart Park:

  Movies, Music and Merriment, a multimedia community event celebrating the Wharton movie studio and Stewart Park on October 13th from 1-4pm with movies, music and treats.

   

  Help us Make Noise About Silent Film!

  Silent Movie Month is brought to you by Ithaca Motion Picture Project..