ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Part of a revitalization project in Ithaca is underway.

Local and state leaders broke ground on the new splash pad and playground bathrooms at Stewart Park on Wednesday. It’s the first phase of additions that will include a new pavilion and storage, which will pave the way for the future development of the Wharton Studio Park Center.

The new splash pad was made possible in part by funding that was announced in February last year and will complement the Stewart Park Inclusive Playground project that was completed in 2020. In addition to improved accessibility for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues, the new pad will be bigger, and environmentally friendly with push button water activation that will turn off when no one is playing. The new splash pad will also be brought up to code, as the current splash pad, installed in the early 1950s, had drainage issues.

Officials have set a target date of July 4 to complete the project.