Latest News

February 14, 2014 

Design work has begun on improvments to Carpenter's Pond and the Willow Patch to be made this summer.  The work will include a dock for fishing access in the Pond as well as improved water flow, a kiosk, benches and an overlook structure in the Willow Patch.  Funds for the project come from CPF supporters and from the Central New York Community Foundation.   Great article in the Cazenovia Republican at:   www.cazenoviarepublican.com/news/2014/feb/05/carpenters-pond-willow-patch-see-improvements-year

December 17, 2013

Thanks to all those community members who have doubled their impact with our Challenge Grant.  Through a tax-deductible contribution they have joined CPF to:

• Keep farmland as active open space
• Maintain the historic character of our village
• Provide year-round public trails
• Protect critical ecosystems, and
• Continue careful planning of new development

We still have Challenge Grant money available to match your increased or new donation.  Use the Support tab, above, to contact us via PayPal, snail mail, email or phone. You can make a difference.

November 27, 2013

The first snowstorm of the season gives us time to pause and reflect on all the activities completed this summer and fall with the help of volunteers and community members.  In September a larger-than-life willow basket was moved into the Willow Patch off Mill St in the village of Cazenovia.  Come find it along with a new boardwalk and trail completed by the Boy Scouts and interpretive signage placed by CPF's summer intern Molly Smith.  The summer also brought significant drainage and signage work on the Fairchild Hill, Gorge and Burlingame Trails .  Over 200 kids and central NY residents attended our summer walks to explore local nature and history in place and suggested topics for next year's offerings.  And CPF continued to monitor the 2500 acres of open space, wetlands and farmland in the Cazenovia area that is protected forever through easements. 

June 13, 2013

In conjunction with the Eurocar event to be held at the Lorenzo State Historic Site this coming weekend, CPF is pleased to offer a historic driving tour of the Cazenovia area.  With 15 roadside locations highlighted over a scenic 37 mile ride, we hope that the tour is enjoyed both by Eurocar participants and attendees as well as by others visiting or living in the area.  We wll be at Lorenzo with information on Sunday, June 16 form 9 am to 1 pm, or download a tour map and directions by going to the Education tab, above.  Enjoy your drive!

May 28, 2013

The first two events of CPF's summer Walks 'N Talks series are this week!  On wednesday, May 29, a presentation on the over 30 miles of trails available to the public in Cazenovia will take place at the Cazenovia Library Community Room at 7:30.  CPF trails, the Link Trail and the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park trails will be highlighted.  CACDA will also update us on the development of an electronic interactive database of all area trails.

Saturday, June 1, is National Trails Day.  Spend part of your day on a scavenger hunt on local trails.  Participants will look for letter clues to be found at 10 locations on trails around Cazenovia.  The clues will lead all to the location where the first 50 participants can claim a prize donated by Eastern Mountain Sports.  Start your search anytime between 9 and noon by picking up a map and scavenger hunt information at the St. Peter's Spirit Center (aka Carriage House) at 10 Mill St. There will be no electronic map available for the scavenger hunt.   For more information, call 877-1742 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Spring at Hillcrest – A CPF Fundraiser 

Over 100 attendees supported CPF’s work of protection of the historic, argricultural and natural resources of Cazenovia at a reception in the historic Hillcrest residence on the Jephson Estate.  Hosts Linda and Brian Osborne generously shared their historic home with its intricate Queen Anne style interior and exterior details and its exquisite estate setting and view of Cazenovia Lake.

April 13, 2013

Cazenovia College Environmental Club and CPF volunteers had a full day of activity to benefit Cazenovia's natural beauty.  In the morning, over 2 dozen volunteers picked up trash from the banks of Chittenango Creek.  After a quick lunch, many ot the same volunteers were joined by new helpers to plant 200 tree and shrub seedlings along the trails and waterways or the Willow Patch off Mill Street in the Village. 

February 14, 2013

The tally is in and over 5000 trail users signed in at CPF kiosks in 2012, a 66% growth in registered users in just two years!  Thanks to all of you who stop to place your tic mark on the sign in sheets.  Documentation of trail usage helps us in our search for funds for trail maintenance and emergency repairs. 

November 30, 2012

The Village of Cazenovia was full of pedestrians for the  Christmas Walk in Cazenovia last night.  The CPF table in front of the Lincklaen House was a busy place where dozens of people learned more about CPF's mission and protection and education activities.  CPF thanks and welcomes the thirty five new members who received trail maps and/or pins as they joined the organization last night.  CPF relies on its members to provide critical support to maintain trails, purchase protective easements and offer its wide variety of educational programs.  

October 25, 2012

CPF shared maps of historic, agricultural and natural resources in the Cazenovia area with the Cazenovia Planning Board.  These maps delineate 20 different resources.  The information will be valuable in identifying and prioritizing resource values on parcels being considered for development or protection.  Public display of the maps will be in the Cazenovia Library for the months of February and March.