Jason Koski/University Photography

A new 1,200-pound gate, custom made by local artisan Durand Van Doren is set into place at the lower entrance to the Cascadilla Gorge trail gorge, at the Treman Triangle off of Linn Street.

A custom-made iron gate has been installed at the lower entrance to the Cascadilla Gorge trail, at the Treman Triangle off of Linn Street. It will allow Cornell Plantations staff to close the trail each winter when conditions are unsafe.

Designed by local artisan Durand Van Doren, the 1,200-pound gate was inspired by the gorge's cascading falls, and oak leaves and acorns found on an historic Cascadilla Glen Trail plaque.

The staircase leading to the iconic stone bridge that crosses the creek will soon follow a new, safer path. The staircase was designed to fit into the gorge landscape, provide a more direct view of the adjacent waterfall and move visitors farther from an overhanging, unsafe gorge wall.

During construction, a dam was built with sandbags and concrete blocks, and a water pump was used to keep the water level low. A 60-foot-tall structure has also been constructed near the historic Eddy Gate to stabilize and retain the gorge wall after stone was quarried from the gorge to construct Cascadilla Hall.

The entire trail is scheduled to reopen next June.