Welcome

Crossing the Downstream Bridge (Bruce Brittain)

Our historic little hamlet is a great place to visit and an even better place to live. Straddling swift-flowing Fall Creek, surrounded by woodlands and open spaces, adjacent to a lovely lake and a 150-acre arboretum, at the edge of Cornell University, Forest Home is a very special corner of the world.

If you’re thinking of moving to Forest Home, or if you have recently arrived here, please send us a note and say hello. Same goes if you’re an established resident and want to ask a question, suggest an activity, publicize an event or update your listing in the neighborhood directory. We’d love to hear from you!

The Forest Home Improvement Association

The Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA) was founded in 1914.  Here is an article from the Ithaca Journal describing the formation.

Since 1914 the FHIA has had a simple mission, to make life better for everybody who lives here. We hold regular meetings and sponsor a range of community events, from lectures and concerts to holiday parties and neighborhood clean-ups. We also speak up for the community on issues such as traffic, safety and public works.  As a volunteer organization, the association’s activities vary from year to year, but usually include the following:

  • Social events for people to get to know each other. These events include a block party in the park, usually held in September, a December holiday party hosted in an FHIA member’s house, and a spring potluck.
  • Work with the Town of Ithaca and Cornell University on projects that affect the neighborhood. Recent examples have included the creation of the Forest Home Park, planning for the rebuilding of the one-lane bridges, deer management, safety barriers on the gorges, and traffic calming.
  • Special events, such as spring clean-up and historical tours.

Information about these activities is provided on this website and by a mailing list. To have your name added to the mailing list, send email to ForestHomeNews@gmail.com.

All events are open to everybody who lives in Forest Home. There is no need to become a member. We have a small budget and ask for annual contributions of $30 per household, but these are entirely optional.

Forest Home Improvement Association