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Carl Sagan Planet Walk

Difficulty // Easy
Activities // Hiking, Bicycling, Running
Distance // 1.0 miles
Features // Dog-friendly (on leash), Accessible
Route Type // Out and Back
Estimated hiking time // 20 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Pavement
Trail markers // planet stations

A varied urban walk, maintained by the Sciencenter, through a scaled solar system built as a memorial to Ithaca resident and astronomer Carl Sagan. The walk travels from The Commons through the Fall Creek neighborhood, ending at the Sciencenter. Along the route visitors encounter two neighborhood parks, a coffee shop, a grocery store and walk along a channelized section of Cascadilla Creek. The trail is marked by “planet stations” monolithic structures that display information and a scale model of each planet. The trail route follows neighborhood sidewalks. All crosswalks along the route, as well as the one pedestrian bridge, are accessible to persons with disabilities.

White hiking boot on a brown circular background, symbolizing hiking or walking trails.
Hiking
White standard bicycle on a light blue circular background, denoting cycling or bike trails.
Biking
White electric bicycle with a lightning bolt above it on a green circular background, representing e-bike use.
e-Biking
White outline of a horseshoe centered on a gold circular background, symbolizing horseback riding.
Horse
White icon of a person running with motion lines on a dark blue circular background, symbolizing physical activity or trail use.
running
White icon of a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on a brown circular background, representing paddling or kayaking.
Paddling
White crossed skis and ski poles on a light blue circular background, indicating winter sports or skiing.
Skiing
White outline of two crisscrossed snowshoes on a green circular background, representing snowshoeing activity.
Snowshoe
Distance // 0 Miles
Difficulty // Easy

    Parking Locations

    Seneca Street Garage
    Get Directions

    On street parking is available throughout downtown Ithaca. Additional information about parking garages and on street parking is available on the City of Ithaca website.

    Bus Stops

    • Ithaca Commons - Green St - Get Directions

      Cross Green St, and walk north through building (past Cinnemapolis) to the Ithaca Commons.

    • Ithaca Commons - Seneca St - Get Directions

      Go west to end of block cross N. Seneca St. Walk south to Sun at Center Ithaca.

    Seneca Street Garage
    Get Directions

    On street parking is available throughout downtown Ithaca. Additional information about parking garages and on street parking is available on the City of Ithaca website.

    • Ithaca Commons - Green St - Get Directions

      Cross Green St, and walk north through building (past Cinnemapolis) to the Ithaca Commons.

    • Ithaca Commons - Seneca St - Get Directions

      Go west to end of block cross N. Seneca St. Walk south to Sun at Center Ithaca.

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    Current Trail Alerts

    Roy H. Park Preserve

    • The north entrance to the Roy H. Park Preserve and the boardwalk will be closed to the public from Monday, July 7, through September 2025 as work is underway to install an ADA-accessible path. The south entrance will remain open during this time. Thank you for your patience.

    Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area

    • The section of trail in Fall Creek Gorge west of the suspension bridge to Chi Psi is unstable and closed until further notice.

    Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

    • A portion of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail between Stewart Avenue and College Avenue will be closed until mid- to late-October 2025. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

    Beebe Lake Natural Area

    • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.

    Black Diamond Trail

    • Starting September 2, 2025 park staff will be performing trail maintenance on the Black Diamond Trail between Perry City Road and Garrett Road. Sections of the trail will be intermittently closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Please use alternate routes during that time. The work is expected to last several weeks.