A scenic commuting route and outdoor science classroom, the Cascadilla Gorge Path should re-open to the public this year with the award to Cornell Plantations of state and federal emergency repair funds. Some $63,000 in repair funds from the New York State Emergency Management Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were secured with the assistance of State Assemblyman Martin A. Luster (D-125th) and U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-26th).

The 0.3-mile Cascadilla Gorge Path, which rises 400 feet as it links downtown Ithaca at Court Street with the Cornell campus at College Avenue, has been closed to the public since the January 1996 flood. Torrents of unusually high water from melting snow and prolonged downpours damaged stone pathways, steps and bridges, that date back to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) projects of the 1930s.

Naturalistic stone pathways normally allow safe hiking along the floor and walls of the deep gorge. But unprecedented flood damage caused the trail to be declared off-limits by Cornell Plantations, which maintains Cascadilla Gorge as well as Fall Creek Gorge and other natural areas of the university. By the time the 1996 spring thaw allowed Plantations workers to enter the gorge and inspect flood damage, the application deadline for FEMA funding had passed.

"For more than a year we've been without one of Cornell's incomparable outdoor classrooms for teaching geology, stream ecology and plant taxonomy," said Donald A. Rakow, Cornell Plantations director, who sought intervention by the state and federal lawmakers. "Just as importantly, we're missing a scenic connection to the downtown community that was used on a daily basis by commuting students, by Ithacans and by visitors. Simply walking through that gorge is an education in the flora and geology of the Finger Lakes."

The Cascadilla Gorge Path is the downtown gateway to the campus by way of Cornell Plantations Path, the 7-mile interpretive trail through the campus. It also is a link with Circle Greenway, the 10.5-mile trail through Ithaca. Hinchey and Luster personally inspected the flood damage before recommending that the emergency agencies waive their deadlines.

"We greatly appreciate the understanding and assistance of Assemblyman Luster and Representative Hinchey in restoring this community resource," said Cornell Vice President for University Relations Henrik N. Dullea. Repairs should begin this spring, after the gorge is clear of ice, with the goal of re-opening the trail by late spring or early summer, Rakow said.