East River Kayakers Passing Roosevelt Island On Way To Queensboro Bridge and Beyond - Boathouse May Be In Roosevelt Island's Future But Tonight Try Out The LIC Boathouse Monday Sunset Paddle

Late Saturday afternoon, I noticed several East River Kayakers making their way under the Roosevelt Island Bridge, passing the Big Allis power plant in Long Island City

on their way to the Queensboro Bridge

and beyond.

There are no kayak or boat launch facilities that provide access to the East River from Roosevelt Island. The reasons for this, strong currents surrounding Roosevelt Island, are discussed at these previous posts.

However, during the June Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting's Public Session, Child School/Legacy High School Director Sal Ferrara mentioned a possible proposal to create a boat house on Roosevelt Island. (Mr. Ferrara also mentioned possible proposals for a Roosevelt Island equestrian center and arts center as well).

Image of Child School Director Sal Ferrara Addressing June RIRA Monthly Meeting

The NY Times recently reported on the experiences of Roosevelt Island's Child School/Legacy High School students learning how to row

Image From Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times

on the Harlem River. According to the NY Times:

... He was seated in a sleek racing scull, those same hands wrapped tightly around a pair of carbon-fiber oars. He was rowing hard, sending the scull through the water.

He and a dozen other students from the Child School/Legacy High School on Roosevelt Island were at the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, an oddly old-fashioned building on the Harlem River, accessible by a gangplank and a string of floating docks.

The students were put to work carrying long racing shells to the water. They gathered around coaches from the New York Rowing Association, a nonprofit group that runs rowing clubs, teams and programs and that is based in the boathouse. This program exposes students from the city’s schools to an activity often associated with Ivy League universities....

The entire article is here.

It would be great if Roosevelt Island residents could access the East River waterfront for kayak and boat launches like below in Red Hook shown in the Vision 2020 NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan (page 16).

The Vision 2020 Waterfront Plan is an excellent resource to learn about what is being done and can be done in the future for New York City's waterfront.

In the absence of kayaking and waterfront access from Roosevelt Island, check out the nearby Long Island City Boathouse which is having a Monday Sunset Paddle tonight starting at 6:30 PM:

Take away the stress of "Manic Monday" with a sunset paddle. This is a moderately easy trip, suitable for adults with little or no paddling experience. You must be able to swim. Participants meet at the Boathouse not later than 6:30PM. Wear protective footwear and clothing that can get wet, and a hat, sunblock or other suitable protection from the sun. Sunglasses are a good idea. Bring a light windbreaker or hat (it can get breezy and chilly), and bottle of water or other non-alcoholic beverage. Do not bring minors, bulky items, or anything that cannot go with you in a kayak. Wallets, phones or other electronic devices should be placed in ziplock or dry bags. You may leave things in a locker at the boathouse; please bring your own lock. Cameras are OK but you bear the risk of exposure to salt water or dropping them over the side.

More info on the LIC Monday Sunset Paddle here.

Happy Paddling.

Here's a You Tube Video showing what happens every day on the rivers of New York City.



Also, don't forget the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's (MWA) City of Water Day Festival is coming up on July 16.

From the MWA:

From the upper Hudson to Raritan Bay, we are a City of Water—yet too many of us are cut off from this tremendous resource. Help revitalize the waterfront with a festival for the entire family.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Free harbor boat tours for thousands on historic, educational, and working vessels
A spectacular flotilla of rowers, paddlers, and other human-powered boaters
A special children's fair with with dozens of activities just for families, including bike scavenger hunts, puppet shows, sing-a-longs, and craft sessions
the Waterfront Action Fair where you can learn about everything going on around and on the water
Our one-of-a-kind on-water Festival Launch & Press Event
Live music, food by the region's best vendors, and much more!