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FRIENDS OF STEWART PARK INC
ITHACA, NY · EIN 383898381 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE N32 · Recreation & Sports · Small ($100K-$1M) · friendsofstewartpark.org
revenue
$767K
expenses
$992K
net assets
$49K
employees
11
volunteers
70
program ratio
96%
mission · from form 990

TO ENHANCE AND REVITALIZE STEWART PARK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF ITHACA AND PARK STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ITHACA RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Friends of Stewart Park enhances and revitalizes Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY, in partnership with the City of Ithaca and community stakeholders. The organization supports park improvements, historical preservation, and public programming to benefit residents and visitors. Initiatives include infrastructure upgrades, educational events, and community celebrations centered on the park's natural and cultural heritage.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Liberty Tree Plantings
Ceremonial planting of three Liberty Trees in Stewart Park by the Chief Taughannock Chapter of NSDAR to honor America’s 250th Anniversary
Party for the Park
Annual fundraiser cocktail party hosted by Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum to support park improvements
Splash Pad and Accessible Bathrooms
Initiative to build an accessible splash pad and playground bathrooms to create a more inclusive play area
Stewart Park Tour
Guided walking tour of Stewart Park focusing on its history and revitalization, hosted in partnership with Historic Ithaca and Wharton Studio Museum
Wharton Studio & Cafe Development
Project to renovate the former DPW storage facility into a cultural space with exhibits, park information, and indoor/outdoor seating
Winterized Bathrooms
Project to make bathrooms in the Wharton Studio Building accessible and functional year-round
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 3 activities
    • Installation and maintenance of park furnishings and landscaping
      Installs and maintains accessible park furnishings including benches, tables, grills, glider swings, and picnic features with donor recognition plaques; plants shade trees with community input and maintains landscaping at the park’s main entrance.
    • Operation of rentable pavilions and park facilities
      Operates and rents three pavilions in Stewart Park for public events, including a restored picnic pavilion and a reconstructed tea pavilion based on the 1894 design, with a new addition underway as of September 2024.
    • Revitalization and improvement of Stewart Park
      Leads ongoing park improvement projects to revitalize Stewart Park, including infrastructure upgrades, accessibility enhancements, and restoration of historic structures in partnership with the City of Ithaca and other stakeholders.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Hosting of public events and historical programming
      Hosts public events including dedication ceremonies such as the 2026 Liberty Trees planting for America’s 250th Anniversary, co-hosts guided historical tours of the park, and organizes the annual Party for the Park fundraiser in collaboration with the Wharton Studio Museum.
  • Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
    • Management of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail
      Coordinates maintenance, improvement, and sponsorship programs for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, including installation of trailside benches, bicycle racks, wayfinding signs, interpretive panels, and engraved stepping stones at five trailheads; designates the trail as a Pollinator Pathway with pesticide-free native plant corridors.
  • Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 1 activity
    • Operation and maintenance of the historic carousel
      Operates and maintains a historic carousel installed in 1951, open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day and daily during summer months, with accessibility improvements including a ramp and permanent cover.
  • Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
    • Operation of an inclusive playground
      Operates and maintains an inclusive playground designed for children and caregivers of all abilities, featuring accessible preschool and school-age structures with slides, monkey bars, climbing features, and multi-level entry points.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Operation of recreational and educational programs
      Operates a summer day camp program with over 70 years of history, provides seasonal kayak and paddle board rentals, and produces educational videos and webinars about Stewart Park’s history for public access via YouTube.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Organization of volunteer and community engagement programs
      Organizes volunteer activities such as weed pulling, trail sweeping, planting, and garbage pickup; offers opportunities for community members to adopt sections of the trail or park furnishings; and collects stories and photos from the public about Stewart Park’s history and future.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Maintenance of historic park structures
      Maintains multiple historic park structures, including the Cascadilla Boathouse (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the Renwick Wildwood bird sanctuary with mulched trails, and the Wharton Studio Building, which includes public bathrooms and the Wharton Studio and Café.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$767K
Contributions & grants$768K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-747
expenses
Total expenses$992K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$109K
Grants paid out$822K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$302K
Cash$242K
Investments$0
Liabilities$253K
Net assets$49K
Liquid reserves2.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +204.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
RICK MANNING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 32 $55K
board members · 11
  • ANDREW EPSTEIN — DIRECTOR
  • ANDY MONROE — VICE CHAIR
  • BETH GERRARD — DIRECTOR
  • CLAUDE ROSEN — TREASURER
  • DIANA RIESMAN — CHAIR
  • LAURA HAYDUCHOK — DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)
  • LAURA HUNSINGER — DIRECTOR
  • MOLLY HAJJAR — DIRECTOR
  • NANCY MALINA — SECRETARY
  • RICK HENDRICK — DIRECTOR
  • STEVE LAUZUN — DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • Accufab, Inc Partner — Fabricates glider swing benches for installation in Stewart Park.
  • City of Ithaca Government — Owner and primary maintainer of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, with operational support from Friends of Stewart Park.
  • City of Ithaca Partner — Collaborates with FRIENDS OF STEWART PARK INC on the enhancement and revitalization of Stewart Park.
  • City of Ithaca Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Stewart Park on revitalization efforts for Stewart Park and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
  • City of Ithaca Partner — Collaborates with the City of Ithaca to enhance and maintain Stewart Park.
  • Diana Riesman Partner — Chair of the Board of Directors for Friends of Stewart Park, contact for substantial project contributions.
  • Discover Cayuga Lake Partner — Partnered to offer an Independence Day-themed boat cruise from Stewart Park.
  • Evergreen Society Partner — Group of donors who provide monthly financial support to Friends of Stewart Park.
  • Historic Ithaca Partner — Co-hosted a guided historical tour of Stewart Park.
  • Meloney McMurry Partner — Primary contact for park feature sponsorship inquiries
  • NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Partnered with Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum to produce the Silent Movie Under the Stars event.
  • Paddle-N-More Partner — Partnered to offer a guided Fireworks Tour paddle event in Stewart Park.
  • Stripe Partner — Payment processing partner used for online donations to adopt park furnishings.
  • TCAT Partner — Provides public transit access to Stewart Park via Route 13.
  • Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Partner — Hosted the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative under which the trail was originally developed.
  • Trail Adopters Partner — Individuals, organizations, and businesses who maintain sections of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail through volunteer caretaking.
  • Wharton Studio Museum Partner — Co-hosted a guided historical tour and co-organizes the annual Party for the Park fundraiser.
  • Wharton Studio Museum Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Stewart Park on the installation of interpretive panels and the development of the Wharton Studio & Cafe.
  • Wharton Studio Museum Partner — Partners with Friends of Stewart Park on revitalization initiatives related to Stewart Park and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community Stewardship Through Adoption and Sponsorship
    methodology: community_stewardship
    By offering adoption and sponsorship opportunities for park furnishings and trail sections, the organization secures funding and sustained maintenance because linking community members and organizations to tangible park assets fosters personal investment and long-term civic responsibility.
  • Community-Driven Revitalization
    methodology: community-driven development
    By partnering with the City of Ithaca, municipal organizations, and local stakeholders in planning and implementation, the organization produces sustainable park enhancements because shared decision-making fosters community ownership, long-term stewardship, and inclusive outcomes.
  • Inclusive Public Space Design
    methodology: inclusive-design
    By designing playgrounds and park furnishings using inclusive and ADA-compliant standards, the organization enables equitable access and intergenerational use because intentionally accessible infrastructure supports dignity, safety, and social integration for users of all abilities.
  • Recurring Giving for Sustainable Park Funding
    methodology: recurring-giving-model
    By cultivating recurring monthly donations, the organization achieves consistent funding for restoration and programming because small, reliable contributions aggregate into long-term financial stability, enabling sustained improvements and community engagement.