History of the Cayuga Waterfont Trail

Ithaca's waterfront, including both the lakefront and the shoreline deep along the Inlet, has been greatly transformed over time.

It has been a First Nations settlement, a center for transportation, a shipping and manufacturing zone, a place for recreation and amusement, a residential area, a cause for concern, and a place for celebrations.

Learn more:

  • Brief History

    Our brochure, A Walk Through History, illuminates this rich history for you as you walk along the Cass Park Trail. Copies are available at the Cass Park Trailhead, the Ithaca and Tompkins County Visitor's Center, and here.

  • Complete Survey

    To learn more about the natural and cultural history of Ithaca's waterfront, you can download a pdf version of our complete history here.