In 2004 the Cayuga Waterfront Trail (CWT) received a national Rail-Trail Design Recognition Award from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the American Society of Landscape Architects. CWT was recognized for its consistent and creative use of design in the interpretive and directional signs, trail furniture, marketing materials, kiosks and destination points. Click here to see a jpg file of the award certificate. Click here to see a jpg file of an article in Landscape Architecture Magazine on Rail Trails which featured the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is being constructed in three or more phases. Phase 1 opened in Fall 2002, construction on Phase 2 is currently in the right-of way acquistion phase. Phase 3 ais currently planned to be constructed in 2009 (tentative). To learn more about trail development phases and see a Phasing Map continue reading below.
Trail Development Phases
You can view the trail development phases in a couple of different phases by clicking below.
Click here to view an enlarged aerial photograph with trail development phases (shown at bottom right). Note that this is a large file and may require patience, particularly for dialup users.
Phase 1
The first phase of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is a two-mile loop trail in Cass Park opened in the fall of 2002. Hundreds of Ithaca residents and visitors use the trail regularly to walk, run, bike and blade along the beautiful Cayuga Inlet. Check it out - we are confident that you will agree that the Cass Park Trail is one of Ithaca's special places. To learn more about how to get to and use the trail see Using The Trail.
Phase 2
Overview
Phase 2 of the Waterfront Trail will be 1.5 miles in length linking the existing trail in Cass Park to the Ithaca Farmers Market. From the south end of Cass Park, the trail will cross the Flood Channel on the existing Route 96 Bridge and arrive at the Inlet Island Trailhead, west of the Station Sleeping Cars B&B. From the trailhead, the trail will continue east past the Station Restaurant, across Route 89 and past The Scoop. The trail will cross the Cayuga Inlet on a new bridge north of Buffalo Street, then turn to the north past Puddledockers Kayak Rentals and the former Bistro Q Restaurant and the MV Manhattan. It will continue north along the east bank of the Inlet passing between the college boathouses and the railroad tracks. It will then continue on along the water's edge past the NYSDOT maintenance yard to the Farmers Market. At the Market, the trail will be on the current fire lane/access road between the Inlet and the building.
Trailheads have been constructed on Inlet Island and at the Farmers Market. The Crew Cove Overlook will be constructed at the southwest corner of the NYSDOT site, overlooking the college boathouses and Inlet Island.
Design Update
Preliminary trail designs have been approved by the City of Ithaca's Planning Board and by the New York State Department of Transportation. Property negotiations with landowners along the proposed trail corridor are in process. We hope that trail construction will occur during the 2008 construction if landowner negotiations are successful this year.
Funding Update
CWTI has raised $125,000 towards its $200,000 goal to support Phase 2 construction. If you are interested in making a contribution or helping with the fundraising effort visit Help Build the Trail.
Phase 3
Phase 3 of the Waterfront Trail will connect the Ithaca Farmers Market to Stewart Park and the Tompkins County Visitor Center.
Design Update
Phase 3 of the Trail will link the Farmers Market to Stewart Park and the County Visitor Center. In 2005, the proposed route for Phase 3 was changed to the east side of Newman Golf Course, as supported by most of the golf community. The City recently completed a feasibility for phase 3 and anticipates beginning developing project designs later in 2007 and continue throughout 2008. It is hoped that construction can occur during 2009.
Funding Update
US Representative Maurice Hinchey recently announced that he had secured $960,000 for Phase 3 design and construction in the 2006 Federal Transportation Bill (SAFETEA - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act) . The City and CWTI will be required to raise the required 20% in matching funds - a minumum of $240,000 - for Phase 3.
