Friday, August 5, 2011

Take A Walk Thru Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park This Weekend - It's Open Daily From 6 AM - 9 PM

Southpoint Park Dedication Sign (Click on Image to Enlarge)

As reported in post earlier this week, Roosevelt Island's East River waterfront Southpoint Park is open again for the public to enjoy.  During this weekend, why not take a walk down to the park,  have a look around and let us know what you think of it.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued the following advisory regarding the use of the park:
Please be advised Southpoint Park is now open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Sanitary facilities and water fountains are located in the Park.  There are no barbeque areas and outside grills are prohibited.
Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares her thoughts and some pictures from opening day at the new Southpoint Park.
Southpoint Park opened today after years in the works. I stopped by briefly to see what has materialized from mounds of debris and acres of weeds.


The approximately 7 acre park weaves south from the gate just south of Goldwater Hospital to the southern end of the Smallpox Hospital. The FDR Four Freedoms Park site is south and will open late in 2012.


Just outside the east gates and inside the west gates are cast iron columns


salvaged from the City Hospital, which was on the site.


The stone walls (Fordham Gneiss quarried on the Island and salvaged from the City Hospital form a serpentine low winding bench and/or fence thru most of the park area.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Thanks to Alyce Russo, former RIOC Director of Planning for having the stones stored for future use.

Unfortunately the first structure you see is the comfort station, in blue and gray, two colors that have no relation to anything on Roosevelt Island. It is super size and great for school and camp groups.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Wide asphalt paved roads and paths make it easy for vehicles to use the roads. They seem a little wide and overwhelming in some areas.


Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The hills, which cover tons of rocks now are gently sloping downwards which kids and teens seemed to love and run up and down them.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The plantings are mostly wild flowers and black eyed Susan's.
 
Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

No fancy lawns or gardens here.

Interspaced in the hills are remnants from the old hospital entrance

 Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

including an orb

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

that once signified the entrance to the Maternity Hospital on the site.

The cul-de-sac that will eventually include the FDR Hope Memorial

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

has a lovely grove of trees surrounding it and overlooking the Smallpox Hospital.


The landmark Smallpox Hospital (Not Renwick Ruin) is surrounded by a high fence and unfortunately the weeds and debris has not been removed from around it.

 

Images From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

This is a pity, since the building should be the showpiece of the park. Hopefully this will be remedied soon.

The landmark Strecker Memorial Laboratory just northeast shines with its wonderful restoration and it is pleasantly placed in a setting befitting this lovely structure.

 
Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

It is not a cafe, but a power conversion station for the F and M subway lines. Perhaps it is the perfect site for a few tables and a Cappucino Cart.

Modern steel benches dot the area. They look out of place and a bit to modern for the classic site.

It is wonderful to watch the River from paths that were blocked by debris and overgrown vegetation for years.


This may not be the High Line, but it is our new connection to the River and our southern tip. Considering all the convolutions the park went thru, I am glad it is finally here!

For information on the landmark Smallpox Hospital and Strecker Laboratory go to www.rihs.us.
The full opening day Southpoint Park photo album from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society is here.

More on Southpoint Park Grand Opening and tour here.

The images not credited to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society were taken today to illustrate some of Ms. Berdy's comments or otherwise credited.

UPDATE 8/6 - The aerial view of Southpoint Park and FDR Memorial image were added to text today.

37 comments :

Jmccc2 said...

Great photos....your link to "More on Southpoint Grand Opening..." goes nowhere...

RooseveltIslander said...

ooops, sorry - the link should work now.

Guest said...

fantastic pictures !  I am hoping to see some fountain, bird baths, bat boxes etc.... to help lure more of the wondeful birds back to our island and a fountain would be great for the kids and adults to get their feet we in!  :) Perfect landscaping for a zoo in the future ! Maybe a mini Central Park even.

Janeelliott2 said...

Visited this week and after waiting so long for the park to reopen was not  impressed. Too much asphalt. Good to see the geese still there but apart from that and the many butterflies there was little to see or do. Definitely needs some sort of water feature for kids to play in or a playground.

SML said...

It will be very nice in 10 years

Zoilita said...

Nice pictures Ms. Birdy, but do you always have to complain?  Who cares what color the bathrooms are!

SML said...

The restroom, while very welcome, is much too prominent, regardless of the color.  

Anonymous said...

buy valium online legally sweet valium high song meaning - valium for sale in bulk

Anonymous said...

generic ambien online ambien side effects women - buy ambien usa

Anonymous said...

zolpidem no prescription zolpidem er tab 12.5 - zolpidem online shop

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax effects on blood pressure - order xanax online no prescription canada

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem zolpidem tartrate lavender - buy zolpidem thailand

Anonymous said...

buy valium buy valium online no rx - valium and weed

Anonymous said...

alprazolam price xanax for social anxiety - xanax and alcohol problems

Anonymous said...

diazepam for dogs 10 mg pill of valium - diazepam - diazepam withdrawal tremors

Anonymous said...

diazepam overdose diazepam rectal tubes for dogs - valium diazepam 5mg roche

Anonymous said...

buy ativan generic form of ativan - ativan side effects sweating

Anonymous said...

buy xanax 1mg xanax 10 panel drug test - much do 1mg xanax sell

Anonymous said...

lorazepam 1mg ativan high erowid - ativan 4 mg sleep

Anonymous said...

cheap xanax xanax side effects 2012 - xanax effects immune system

Anonymous said...

generic xanax online xanax 2mg bars street price - buy xanax bangkok

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online cheap no prescription xanax round white - xanax pictures of pills

Anonymous said...

buy xanax xanax dosage withdrawal - xanax drug system

Anonymous said...

generic alprazolam xanax 2mg online no prescription - xanax dosage opiate withdrawal

Anonymous said...

ambien cost overdose on ambien and xanax - ambien generic name drug classification

Anonymous said...

soma pain somanabolic muscle maximizer uk - carisoprodol 350 mg forum

Anonymous said...

order soma buy soma - carisoprodol 350 mg espanol

Anonymous said...

soma sale buy soma online no prescription with mastercard - soma show on drug test

Anonymous said...

order carisoprodol online somanabolic muscle maximizer excel download - buy aura soma london

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien dosage ld50 - ambien walrus tumblr

Anonymous said...

cheap soma carisoprodol 350 mg muscle relaxer - carisoprodol with xanax

Anonymous said...

buy valium online no prescription valium diazepam mg - buy valium online cheap

Anonymous said...

buy valium india order valium from mexico - list of generic valium

Anonymous said...

valium without prescription cheap valium online no prescription - valium cost per pill

Anonymous said...

generic valium online cheap valium online india - valium purchase canada

Anonymous said...

Currentlу it ѕeems likе Movable Type is the top blogging ρlatform available right now.

(from ωhаt I've read) Is that what you're using on уоur
blog?

Alsо viѕіt my blоg: raspberry ketones dr. oz recommended dosage

Anonymous said...

fantaѕtiс ρublіsh, very infoгmative.

I ponder why the opposite eхpеrtѕ οf this seсtor do not гealіze this.
You should proceeԁ yοur writing.
I'm sure, you have a great readers' base already!

Αlso vіsit my ѕitе http://www.tauragnai.lt/phpinfo.php?a[]=%3Ca+href=http://www.416-florist.com