HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-31-23-Sunset-Park-Press-Release
Press Release – Sunset Park Survey Continues
Date of Issue: May 31, 2023
Contact: Yamila Fournier
Whitham Planning Design Landscape Architecture, PLLC
142 East State Street
Suite B
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-1290
fournier@whithamdesign.com
Village of Cayuga Heights
Sunset Park Call for Historical Materials
Press Release
Sunset Park Design Community Outreach Results
Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation in our Sunset Park Design Outreach efforts. Over 200
people responded to our concluded online survey, a few emailed comments, and 36 neighbors attended
the informational open house held at Marcham Hall on May 7th.
Overall, we heard that the majority of respondents visit the park a few times each year for a peaceful walk
or jog, to seek quiet, and to enjoy the view.
About 80% of respondents walk to the park, which roughly corresponds to the number of respondents
living within 1 mile of the park.
The park is well regarded, but 82% of respondents wanted to see improvements – primarily increased
seating and better maintenance of grounds (both care of plantings and trash pickup). Only 6% said they
wanted to see no improvements at all.
In general, people seem to hold great affection for Sunset Park and look forward to light-handed changes
that remove invasive species, add high quality native plantings at the edges that will not obscure the view,
improve seating opportunities, improve accessibility, and discourage parking on the grass. Due to various
concerns expressed by residents, the amphitheater (sunken seating area) is no longer considered as
plans move towards the final design phase.
Next, the Village of Cayuga Heights will submit a grant application at the end of July to the NY State
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Environmental Protection Fund to seek funding for
Sunset Park improvements. Grant awards are announced at the end of December.
142 East State Street, Suite B, Ithaca NY 14850 607.272.1290 admin@whithamdesign.com 1