Stewart Park is in Ithaca, New York. Ithaca is located on the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the largest Finger Lake, and Stewart sits directly on that tip. The park is a popular place for barbecues, frisbee, tennis, baseball, and softball, as well as fishing and swimming on the lake. The park has a carousel that operates throughout the summer. In addition, there is a playground, with slides, and a fountain, along with sheltered areas for picnics and large gatherings. The park is also equipped with grills dispersed around the grounds.
The park is also notable for hosting the final day of the Ithaca Festival, during which the park is notoriously difficult to get into, due to parking overflowing.
Stewart Park was originally part of the estate of James Renwick, and its first name was Renwick Park, where it operated as a private swimming and amusement park. After the turn of the century it became unprofitable, and finally shut down in 1915. The land was leased to The Whartons film studio during Ithaca's brief heyday as a silent film production center, from 1915 to 1919.
Mayor Edwin C. Stewart during his inauguration speech in 1920 declared that it was a "travesty" that Ithacans couldn't enjoy the lake without trespassing on private property. By 1921 he made good on his promise, and the city had purchased the former Renwick Park land and opened it to the public. Mayor Stewart died before the official opening of the park on July 4th, and it was renamed in his honor. In 1934, the park land was raised by several feet to reduce flooding.
Fall Creek empties into Cayuga Lake through Stewart Park. Stewart Park is also the location of the Cascadilla Boat Club's boathouse. The Fuertes Bird Sanctuary sits at the southern end of the park, and it is bordered on the west by the City of Ithaca's municipal golf course.
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