Ithaca Youth Bureau Circa 2014
This was the website for the Ithaca Youth Bureau, a Department of the City of Ithaca.
Content is from the site's 2014 archived pages providing a glimpse of what the Ithaca Youth Bureau offered and still offers its community.
The current site for the Ithaca Youth Bureau is found at; http://www.ithacayouthbureau.org/
Ithaca Youth Bureau
1 James L. Gibbs Dr
Ithaca NY 14850
(607) 273-8364
A little about ourselves
Mission Statement
Our Diversity Statement
History
The IYB was 1 of 6 original agencies established under the New York State Youth Commission Act of 1945. The current state umbrella agency for youth bureaus, the Office of Children and Family Services, still provides matching funds to the city toward the cost of youth programming under revised provisions of that original legislation.
The city charter requires the IYB "to coordinate, foster, and supplement the activities of public agencies and programs devoted in whole or in part to the welfare of youth in and about the City of Ithaca which may wish to come under its auspices, and to cooperate with other agencies working toward this goal. The activities shall conform with state law supporting its activities and be subject to such rules and regulations as may be imposed by the government of the City of Ithaca."
Cass Park
Cass Park is a regionally, active park used heavily by residents from all parts of Tompkins County. In addition to the ice rink and swimming pool, there are four tennis courts, 20 athletic fields (4 of them lighted), playground equipment, an exercise trail and a large picnic pavilion.
Please note reservations for pavilion rental are handled by the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Please call the IYB @ 273-8364 for further information about the Cass & Stewart Park pavilions.
Cass Park History
The land that is known as Cass Park came to the City in several different parcels. One area was acquired in 1925 as part of lands put in trust for the City by former Ithaca Mayor Newman and others. Previously, in 1908, the City purchased an area between the Inlet and the lakefront. These lands were originally earmarked for a municipal lakefront park. When the Inlet was dredged for the Barge Canal in the early 1900s, the marshland to the west was filled in and planted with peach trees. The orchard was not successful and the area eventually became a flying field. This area was leased to the Thomas-Morse Aviation Company for the testing of airplanes and for an aviation school before, during, and after WWI. Eventually the land (about 122 acres)
was developed and used as a municipal airport (the third-oldest airport in the United States).
In 1929 the City bought several small pieces of property between the railroad tracks and the Inlet. The area was called Silent City, a collection of shacks put up in the late nineteenth century and later abandoned. The shacks were removed as a part of the park project. The last parcel was acquired by the City in 1966. It was owned by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and included the old railroad loop. A city marina was built and in the early 1970s, the State took over the area and constructed the Allen H. Treman Marina, at about the same time that Cass Park was developed. A few years earlier the flood control channel was dug and the dredged material from the channel was used to fill the area that is today the southern portion of Cass Park. Development of Cass Park continued through 1971 and 1972. A covered ice rink was opened in November 1972, followed in the summer by the opening of an olympic-sized swimming pool and several ball fields. Today Cass Park is a regionally active park used heavily by residents from all parts of Tompkins County. In addition to the ice rink and swimming pool, there are four tennis courts, 20 athletic fields(4 of them lighted), playground equipment, an exercise trail and a large picnic pavilion.
Cass Park Pool
The 2014 Season will run from Friday, June 20th through Sunday, August 17th!
The last 4 days (Fri.20th -Wed..25th) that schools are in session, we will be open
ONLY from 3-7 pm!
All other weekdays we will open 1-7 pm & Weekends 12-7pm.
| Daily Admission Prices |
+IYB Rec Customer |
Unregistered Customer |
||||
| Infants (Birth -11 months) | FREE | $3.00 | ||||
| Child (1-12 yrs) |
$3.00 |
$5.50 |
||||
| Student (13-17) or Senior (60+) |
$4.00 |
$7.50 |
||||
| Adult (18 –59 yrs) |
$5.00 |
$9.00 |
Save Time in Line! If you or your child have previously registered for programs through the IYB Rec. Department, then you are already a registered IYB REC Customer. If not, please print, complete, & send in a registration form before you come to visit or bring it with you!
WHO: ages 13 and up
WHEN: June 30th – August 15th
Mon. – Thurs. 7:15 – 9:15 am & 11:30am – 12:30pm
(except July 4th)
Daily Session Price: $5.00
Season LAP ONLY Pass Rate: $50.00
PLEASE NOTE:
Lap Pass valid ONLY during these special LAP times!
Regular Pool Season Pass is NOT valid for these special lap times!
The pool is available for use by groups and organizations with a minimum of 10 people during open swim at a discounted group rate if scheduled at least 10 days in advance. Youth Groups / Organizations please call for special pricing. Click to send a request more information.
Season passes are available to Recreation Partnership Members (residents who live within the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Newfield, Ulysses, and the Village of Lansing).
| Season Passes are available to RP Members ONLY. |
Other RP Member prices |
City & Town of Ithaca prices |
|||
| Child (1-12 yrs) |
$40 |
$30 |
|||
| Student (13-17) or Senior (60+) |
$50 |
$40 |
|||
| Adult (18 –59 yrs) |
$60 |
$50 |
|||
| Family (3-5 members) |
$170* |
$130** |
* add $35 /**add $20 for each additional member
For an extra $5 per pass, you may add an Alex Haley Pass to your Cass Pool pass.
(An Alex Haley Only Pass may be purchased at G.I.A.C., 272-3622).
NEW - PROOF of RESIDENCY MUST be provided for ALL Adults.
Acceptable Proofs for ADULTS with photo ID – Utility Bill, Lease w/ Address, Driver’s License, or Vehicle Registration.
Cass Park Pool Passes may be purchased at the Ithaca Youth Bureau and Cass Park from
May 1st – July 18th ONLY as noted below:
Cass Park Pool — pre-season TBD (check back or call for hours late April or early May) &
during the 1st 2 weeks ONLY of the pool season (June 20 – July 6th ONLY)
Ithaca Youth Bureau — 8:00am-5:00pm weekdays (May 1st – July 18th)
NEW – Early Bird PRE-SEASON PASS Specials - CASS ONLY PASS!
Purchase a pass during 1st 3 weeks of May between May 1-23 and SAVE!
$10 off an individual pass OR $20 off a family/multiple pass purchase.
Purchase a pass during first 3 weeks of June between June 2-20 and SAVE!
$5 off an individual pass OR $10 off a family/multiple pass purchase.
Only 1 Discount / Household!
Cass Park Ice Rink
Cass Park Ice Rink opens on October 24th for Public Skate Sessions.
Weekdays: Monday – Friday 9:30-11:30am, 11:45am – 2:15pm, 2:30-5:00pm (5:30pm on Fridays)
Evenings: Friday & Saturday 7-10 PM
Weekends: Saturday & Sunday 2:30-5:15 PM
Expressive Arts
The current expressive arts program features: Camps, Theater & Art
Theater Programs:
- Improvmania
- Imagine that
- Theater Buffet
Art Programs
* Mud Art
* Wheel Throwing & More
* Adult/Child Pottery Time
* Artstravaganza
Community Programs
- Little Voices
- Tot Spot
- Climbing and Jr. Climbing Adventure
- Zumba Kids
- Zumba Kids Jr.
- Swimming Lessons
- Tae Kwon Do
- Fencing
Cross Country Running Program
Fall Youth Sports
Cross Country Running Program
Boys and girls ages 9-13 can participate in a cross country running program designed to build running skills, endurance and overall wellness. Running will be off-road terrain, fields, and some pavement. This program is for children who have prior experience running and are able to comfortable run 1 mile.
Rotary Fall Youth Soccer
Rotary soccer is a Pre K – 8th grade program for all youth players. The program is designed for children to have fun while learning the skills and rules needed to play the game of soccer. Emphasis is placed on enjoyment and learning, not on winning and competition.
Practices for grades 2-8 are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays and games are played on Sunday afternoons at Cass Park. Players in the Pre K – 1st grade coed divisions practice and play on Sundays only.
Small Fry Football
Here is your chance to begin playing football as part of the county-wide Youth Football League. The program focuses on skill building and fun. Small Fry football has two divisions for players. The Junior division is for players 9 years or older. The senior division is for players 11 years or older.
Small Fry Flag Football
Introductory football program for boys and girls in grades 1 & 2.
Cheer
Learn exciting new dance moves, combining hip hop dance, traditional cheer and other styles used by today’s cheerleaders and professional dancers. Participants will cheer during Small Fry Football games throughout the season.
Cross Country Running Program
Boys and Girls ages 9 to 13 can participate in a cross country program designed to build running skills, endurance and overall wellness. Running will be off road terrain, fields, and some pavement. This program is for children who have had some experience running and are able to comfortably run 1 mile.
Instructor/coaches: Francesca Crannell & Gary Weiss
- Who: Boys & Girls ages 9-13
- When: Monday/Wednesday 5:30-6:30 PM, Sept. 8th – Oct. 6th
- Where: Various Locations
- Week 1: Cass Park
- Week 2: Stewart Park
- Week 3: Lower Buttermilk Falls
- Week 4: Sapsucker Woods
- Week 5: South Hill Rec Way
Fee: $40 Recreation Partnership Discount / $80 N. M.
+++
Intro to Fencing – Fall 2014
Intro to Fencing
Classical Fencing is a martial art that uses the sword to cultivate self-mastery. It has been likened to “playing a Bach fugue on the violin while running sprints up a hill.” It is a precise, skill-based art that is both physically and mentally demanding. Classical fencing is also a discipline with a strict code of chivalric conduct intended to unlock the hero in every child’s heart.
- Instructor: Linda Wyatt, Prevost d’Armes
- Who: Ages 8-up
- Where: Ithaca Youth Bureau
- When: Sundays 1:00-2:00 PM, ten weeks
- Sept. 14 – Nov. 16
- Fee:
- $63 City Resident Discount / $90 Non-Resident
+++
Small Fry Football
A chance to begin football as part of the county-wide Youth Football League. The program focuses on skill-building and fun, low-level competition.
Who: Boys & Girls, ages 9-12
- Junior Level: Must be 9 by Aug. 18 and cannot turn 11 on or before Oct. 26.
- Senior Level: Must be 11 by Aug. 18 and cannot turn 13 on or before Oct. 26.
- Where: Ithaca High School Football Field and practice fields, County Area School Fields.
- When: Season – Aug. 18 – Oct. 26
- Equipment: Equipment hand-out: Aug. 16, 9:45 AM – Noon at IYB
- League Coordinator: Michael Bianconi
- Fee: $70 Recreation Partnership Discount / $140 Non – RP
**Parents Meeting: MANDATORY MEETING for all parents of 3-6 graders on Aug. 13, 6:00 PM, at Ithaca Youth Bureau.
COACHES MEETINGS: August 12, 6:00 PM at IYB
COACHES TRAINING: August 13, 6:00 PM at IYB
MANDATORY PLAYER WEIGH-IN: September 6th, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. All players must attend or will not be eligible for game play.
+++
Small Fry Flag Football
A chance for an early start to the Small Fry Football Program. Focus will be on skill development and fun!
Who: Grades 1 and 2
Where: Ithaca High School Football Field
When: Season: Sept. 8 – Oct 26 (Practices Mon. – Thurs 6-7:30 PM, two practices per week determined by coaches.) In house league with some game traveling. All players meet, ready to play at IHS fields on Sept. 9 at 6 PM.
Fee: $35 Recreation Partnership/$70 Non-member
Seasonal Employment
If you are interested in one of our part-time, seasonal opportunities found below; please complete the online pre-screen form or print and complete a seasonal application (PDF), then drop off or mail to:
The Ithaca Youth Bureau
1 James L. Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
If you're applying specifically for a position at Cass Park, drop off or mail to:
Cass Park
701 Taughannock Blvd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
For local teens interested in summer work, especially 14 and 15 year olds, please visit the Youth Employment Service main page to see if you are eligible and download an application.
Cass Park and Recreation Department Opportunities
Please Note: Not all positions may be available every year. It depends on the number of returning rehires from the prior year.
Summer
Interviews and hiring for summer is typically done during April and May.
- Assistant managers and cashiers at Cass Park Pool
- Lifeguards at Cass Park Pool or Stewart Park Camp (camp requires waterfront certification)
- Summer camp counselors and specialists
- Swim instructors
Fall
Interviews and hiring for fall is typically done during mid. August to early September
- Football and Soccer Referees for Youth programs - Call 607-273-8364 for more information.
Interviews and hiring for winter is typically done during mid September to early October
- Assistant managers at Cass Park Rink
- Basketball referee - Call 607-273-8364 for more information
- Cashiers at Cass Park Rink
- Rink guards at Cass Park Rink
- Skate instructors at Cass Park Rink
Recreation Partnership
The Recreation Partnership is one of the largest collaborations in NYS. Our goal is to responsibly use public funds to help support recreation and leisure activities for our youth. We believe that programs that encourage an active lifestyle, teach life long leisure skills, are safe and fun will help our children grow and develop into healthy adults. You are a member of the Recreation Partnership if you live in the City of Ithaca, Village of Lansing, Towns of: Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Ithaca, Newfield and Ulysses (including students who attend Trumansburg Schools). With the municipalities in the RP working together we are able to offer programs at a lower price and provide need based scholarships. Look for programs on this site with an RP discount next to the price.
We’d like to thank elected officials from Partnership municipalities, Recreation Partnership Board Members, participating youth and families and the amazing volunteers who help make our programs successful! We hope you and your family enjoy the many programs and activities offered this season.
Warmly,
Eric Levine
Liz Vance
More Background On IthacaYouthBureauRecreation.com
IthacaYouthBureauRecreation.com served as the dedicated online home for the Recreation Division of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), a longstanding municipal agency operated under the City of Ithaca, New York. While the website now exists as an archived snapshot, it reflects a robust catalog of youth and family programming, civic history, community collaborations, recreational facilities, and the evolving mission of one of Upstate New York’s most active municipal youth-support institutions.
This comprehensive overview brings together the historical background, programs, site offerings, audience, cultural significance, community impact, and associated facilities such as Cass Park and Stewart Park, using both the archived site content and broader publicly available knowledge. The result is a detailed, standalone article intended to orient any reader who wishes to understand the essence and importance of the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Recreation Division and its now-archived website.
Ownership and Governance
The organization behind IthacaYouthBureauRecreation.com is the Ithaca Youth Bureau, a formal department of the City of Ithaca. The Youth Bureau has existed since the late 1940s and remains a vital community institution dedicated to the positive development, safety, well-being, and empowerment of youth across Ithaca and surrounding municipalities.
Departmental Structure
The IYB comprises several divisions, including:
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Recreation Division (the focus of the archived website)
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Youth Development Division
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Recreation Support Services
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Cass Park & Stewart Park Facility Programming
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Youth Employment Services
The Recreation Division is responsible for most of the sports, expressive arts, camps, and skill-building programs detailed on the archived site.
Mission and Values
From the archived material, the IYB’s Recreation Division explicitly commits to:
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Providing quality, inclusive programming for diverse youth and family needs.
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Supporting expressive arts, sports, special events, lessons, and summer camps.
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Promoting mutual respect, cultural diversity, and inclusion.
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Creating safe, affirming spaces where young people can form relationships that strengthen the community.
The Bureau’s Diversity Statement emphasizes welcoming “all people,” affirming differences, and fostering environments that help families connect and grow.
Location and Proximity
The IYB is located at:
1 James L. Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
It sits near Ithaca’s celebrated waterfront and is closely tied to two major recreational landmarks:
Stewart Park
A historic lakeside park offering playgrounds, picnic areas, and waterfront trails.
Cass Park
A large multi-use recreation complex including:
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An ice rink
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An Olympic-size swimming pool
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20 athletic fields
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Tennis courts
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Playgrounds
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An exercise trail
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A pavilion
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Access to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail
The Recreation Division also works with, programs, and manages facilities across these parks, making proximity to the waterfront a major advantage for families.
Historical Background
The history of the Ithaca Youth Bureau is rich and deeply embedded in Tompkins County’s civic development.
Founding (1947–1948)
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Founded by concerned citizens in 1947.
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Became an official City of Ithaca department in 1948.
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Sam Woodside served as the first volunteer director.
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Edgar Siebring became the first paid director.
The IYB was also one of the six original youth bureaus established under New York State’s Youth Commission Act of 1945.
State Support
Through revised versions of that early legislation, the Bureau receives matching funds from New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services to help support youth programming.
City Charter Mandate
The Bureau is formally required to:
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Coordinate and supplement youth-focused public agencies.
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Collaborate with organizations serving young people.
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Support youth welfare in the City of Ithaca and surrounding areas.
This expansive mandate helps explain why the Recreation Division maintains such a broad portfolio of programs.
The Website: Purpose and Content
IthacaYouthBureauRecreation.com functioned as a fully featured informational hub containing:
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Program registration
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Seasonal activity listings
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Facility information
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Pricing and schedules
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Staff details
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Special events
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Policies
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Volunteer opportunities
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Employment openings
The tone of the website was practical, warm, inclusive, and primarily aimed at parents, guardians, youth participants, volunteers, and community partners.
The I PLAY BOOK
The site promoted the “I PLAY BOOK” (Program Line-Up for Active Youth), a triannual printed and distributed guide listing upcoming programs. Copies were available at schools, libraries, and community centers.
Program Highlights: Recreation and Enrichment
The Recreation Division offered a wide range of activities suitable for children from toddlers to teenagers, as well as some adult-and-child collaborative programs.
Below is a detailed look at the main categories featured on the archived site.
Sports Programs
Rotary Youth Soccer (Pre-K to Grade 8)
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Emphasizes fun, teamwork, and basic skill development.
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Practices held during the week; games played at Cass Park.
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Younger children (Pre-K–1) participated in combined practice-game sessions on Sundays.
The program aligns with the bureau’s philosophy of prioritizing enjoyment over competition.
Small Fry Football and Flag Football
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Football programs introduced children ages 9–12 to full-contact youth league play.
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Flag football served as an introductory, non-contact version for grades 1–2.
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Included mandatory parent meetings, coaching trainings, and weigh-ins to ensure safety and consistency.
Cross-Country Running
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Designed for youth ages 9–13 with previous running experience.
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Held across multiple natural locations such as:
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Sapsucker Woods
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Buttermilk Falls
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South Hill Rec Way
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Stewart Park
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Cass Park
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Focused on endurance, technique, and wellness.
Expressive Arts Programs
The Bureau has long balanced athletics with creative arts. Programs included:
Theater
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Improvmania
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Imagine That
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Theater Buffet
These programs provided foundational acting skills, improvisation, and performance opportunities.
Visual Arts
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Mud Art
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Wheel Throwing & More
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Adult/Child Pottery Time
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Artstravaganza
The expressive arts offerings helped children explore creativity, tactile arts, and self-expression.
Community Programs
These programs were aimed at younger children and families:
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Little Voices (early childhood music and rhythm)
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Tot Spot (indoor play and socialization)
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Climbing Adventure Programs (introductory climbing and safety)
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Zumba Kids & Zumba Kids Jr.
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Swimming Lessons
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Tae Kwon Do
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Fencing
Notable Highlight: Intro to Fencing
The fencing program, taught by a certified instructor, emphasized:
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Classical fencing technique
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Discipline and respect
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Physical conditioning
It was described as “playing a Bach fugue on the violin while running sprints up a hill,” reflecting its complexity.
Cass Park: A Core Component of the Website
Cass Park is inseparable from the Recreation Division’s identity. The archived site devoted extensive space to its:
Swimming Pool
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Summer season dates
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Daily admission rates
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Long-course lap swim schedules
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Season pass pricing
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Group rates
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Residency requirements
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Early-bird discounts
Ice Rink
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Public skating sessions
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Weekend evening skating
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Pricing and rentals
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Special holiday sessions
Facilities and History
Cass Park’s land has a fascinating history:
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Originally marshland along Cayuga Lake.
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Transformed via dredging and infill during early 20th-century canal projects.
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Briefly used by the Thomas-Morse Aviation Company for flight testing.
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Later became one of the earliest municipal airports in the U.S.
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Finally developed into a regional park with recreational infrastructure (1971–1972).
The archived site captured both the historical narrative and practical usage information, making it a blend of municipal history and community recreation.
Seasonal Employment
The website featured extensive listings for:
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Lifeguards
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Swim instructors
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Camp counselors
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Cashiers
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Rink guards
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Skate instructors
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Football & soccer referees
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Assistant managers
Hiring periods varied by season, reflecting Ithaca’s school calendar and weather cycle.
The Youth Employment Service (YES), also under the Youth Bureau, was recommended for teens seeking early work experience.
Audience and Popularity
While no traffic statistics are available for the archived site, the IYB as a whole serves thousands of youth annually. Its audience includes:
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Children and teens (0–20 years)
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Families in Tompkins County
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Schools, educators, and social workers
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Local municipalities
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Volunteers and community partners
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Camp and program staff
The Recreation Division is one of the largest youth recreation providers in New York State for a municipality of Ithaca’s size.
Reviews, Reputation, and Public Perception
The IYB is widely regarded as:
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Inclusive
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Well-organized
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Supportive of youth growth
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A pillar of the Ithaca community
Local feedback highlights:
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Dedicated staff
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Safe, community-centered environment
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Affordable access through the Recreation Partnership
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Volunteer opportunities that benefit both youth and adults
Anecdotal stories from volunteers show the emotional value the bureau provides, from mentorship to meaningful long-term connections with children.
Community Collaborations and the Recreation Partnership
One standout feature of the archived site is its promotion of the Recreation Partnership, a collaboration among:
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City of Ithaca
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Village of Lansing
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Towns of Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Ithaca, Newfield, and Ulysses
This partnership allows:
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Reduced program fees
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Need-based scholarships
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Shared municipal funding to expand offerings
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Widespread participation across Tompkins County
It is one of the largest multi-municipal recreation collaborations in New York State.
Cultural and Social Significance
The IYB and its Recreation Division play a crucial social role:
1. Community Integration
Programs bring together families from diverse backgrounds in a welcoming setting.
2. Youth Development
Children acquire:
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Social skills
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Physical skills
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Arts proficiency
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Self-confidence
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Leadership qualities
3. Healthy Lifestyles
Sports, outdoor programs, and active recreation reinforce lifelong wellness habits.
4. Preserving Local Parks
By programming Cass Park and Stewart Park, the IYB helps preserve and activate Ithaca’s historical and natural spaces.
5. Economic and Civic Benefits
Seasonal jobs and volunteer roles create workforce pathways and community cohesion.
Press & Media Observations
Although the archived site does not explicitly list press coverage, the Youth Bureau is regularly highlighted in:
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Local newspapers
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Community bulletins
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Regional magazines
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Municipal reports
Coverage typically focuses on:
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Successful youth outcomes
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Seasonal events at Cass Park
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Summer camps
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Public skating
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Inclusive community initiatives
The bureau’s longevity and scope make it a subject of frequent positive media attention.
IthacaYouthBureauRecreation.com represents an important chapter in the digital history of the Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation Division. Beyond a simple program listing, it was a window into a thriving, community-driven organization that has served generations of young people in the Ithaca area.
Through its programming, partnerships, values, and deep roots in local history, the IYB remains:
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A cornerstone of youth development
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A steward of public recreation
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A model of inclusivity and civic commitment
Although the site has since been consolidated into the main IYB website, its archived contents remain a rich record of one of the region’s most impactful youth organizations.