Moving into Spring 2021, Cayuga Lake
I hope anyone reading this has had a very pleasant week and is ready to unwind a bit over this weekend. I know, for many of the Cornell undergrad students living in our collegetown housing, this part of the semester represents the calm before the storm. Just after midterms and just a week or two away from the start of real crunch-time with exams and projects wrapping up; for many, this portion of the semester represents a final opportunity to have a bit of free time. The trouble is, especially during the pandemic, determining the best way to spend this precious time, the best way to make the most of it. Well, if you’re interested, I have a suggestion for you!
Cayuga Lake
I believe, in general, but particularly among Cornell students, that the natural wonders specific to Ithaca go underappreciated, perhaps most egregiously, the many parks, marinas, and boathouses, which allow one to enjoy Cayuga Lake. Maybe this is not the case for those student-athletes who are on the Cornell crew team, but for the rest, please get yourself down to the lake during this warm weather!
Even if it’s just to go for a run or exercise in some other way, both Stewart Park and Cass Park, neither more than a 20-minute drive from campus, offer excellent ways to engage in physical activity. Both have trails that make up the majority of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, which has a full length of almost 8 miles, all of which is paved and, at a minimum, is 10 feet wide!
The Cass Park portion of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is particularly suited to exercising. There a small “exercise challenges” placed at intervals along the trails, which help bring a bit more variety to your workout. Some will have you testing your balance, some performing challenging stretches, and others will present a tremendous physical trial. I encourage you all to go try your hand at these exercises. Not only is it fun to test yourself, but the health benefits are simply undeniable!
There are two boat rental services that I would like to point you in the direction of, one each catering to Stewart Park and Cass Park. First, the Cascadilla Boat Club, which is located in one of the corners of Stewart Park. Second, The Finger Lakes Boating Center, just a bit south of Cass Park. Either one will present an excellent opportunity to get out of your Cornell student rental and out onto the water!
