Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island Day Tomorrow, No Macy's July 4 Fireworks Viewing From RI But TV Simulcast Celebration At Firefighters Field, Possession Of Fireworks Will Be Prosecuted, Outdoor Movie Series Starts June 28, Accessibility Ramps Installed, New Outdoor Exercise Equipment, Capobianco Field Drainage & More

Image From Roosevelt Island Youth Program

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

Limited Parking & Visibility on July 4th

This coming Fourth of July, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks display will take place near the Brooklyn Bridge, much further to the south than in previous years. Due to this location, visibility of the show will be extremely limited on Roosevelt Island. On this date, both Southpoint Park and the FDR Four Freedoms Park at the southern end of the Island will close at 7 PM. Parking for non-residents in the Motorgate Garage will also be limited on this date, so any visitors requiring parking should arrive early and plan accordingly.

As a reminder, unauthorized fireworks are not permitted in New York State, including on Roosevelt Island, at any time. In the interest of public safety, RIOC and the Public Safety Department are taking a strict “no tolerance” approach to fireworks this year. Anyone found in possession of explosives will be prosecuted. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this important matter.

Roosevelt Island Day, Outdoor Summer Movie Series & July 4th Events

Tomorrow, Roosevelt Island celebrates one of its best loved traditions. Roosevelt Island Day is kicking off at 8 a.m. with a community beautification effort at the Good Shepherd Plaza from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Come early to volunteer, spruce up your neighborhood, and plant flowers with friends and family. Free games and rides will be offered from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m., a concert will take place in the evening. Kids’ art activities will be available along Main Street at Blackwell plaza and free yoga classes will take place on the lawn south of Rivercross at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Urban American in partnership with RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Youth Program. We hope to see you there.

Next week, RIOC’s annual Outdoor Summer Movie Series begins on Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. with music, trivia and a screening of Disney’s Frozen. We welcome all residents to join us for this free event series at Southpoint Park. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a family favorite movie under the stars. Visit our website at rioc.ny.gov to view the list of upcoming movies at Southpoint Park.

On July 4th at 7 PM, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will be hosting a free community celebration. Residents are invited to join the festivities, which will include a free karaoke contest, giveaways and a live simulcast of New York City's July 4th fireworks display on a large outdoor screen. Please note that while food and drink will be available for purchase from local restaurants; alcohol is not permitted at this event. More information will available on our website, rioc.ny.gov, as the event date draws near.

Accessibility Ramps Installed at Motorgate Garage Bus Turnaround

Last week, the Engineering department worked with contractors at the Motorgate Garage bus turnaround to install four new pedestrian ramps. Thanks to these improvements, the sidewalks in the area now accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and shopping carts more easily. As always, be sure to use caution and be alert for vehicular traffic when crossing roadways.

AVAC Yard Cleaning

Earlier this month, RIOC, the Department of Sanitation and employees from The Octagon, Manhattan Park, Island House, Rivercross, Eastwood and Urban American cleaned the yard outside of AVAC, Roosevelt Island's trash and recycling facility. All those involved understand the importance of maintaining the facility’s cleanliness, so these departments and building management companies will continue to work together to keep the AVAC yard clean until a long-term solution is put in place. Again, we commend these companies for volunteering their assistance for this important project.

New Outdoor Exercise Equipment

Along the northern section of the West Promenade, to the west of the Octagon Soccer Field, RIOC has installed and maintains several pieces of outdoor exercise equipment. This equipment has proven popular with residents looking for a way to incorporate strength training into their outdoor fitness routine. This month, RIOC will install three new machines: a combination Chest Press and Lat Pull-down for the development of arm strength, a double Ski Walker, which functions similarly to an elliptical machine, and a Leg Press station with three levels of resistance. This expansion of outdoor exercise options should prove especially useful during the upcoming summer months. Once the new machines are installed, we encourage you to visit the area and try out the new equipment.

Capobianco Field Drainage Project

At Capobianco Field, work on a new drainage project is underway. To avoid issues that can detract from the enjoyment of the field, such as puddle formation and persistently damp turf, RIOC’s Engineering department is installing perforated pipes underneath the field’s surface. These pipes form a drainage system that should help keep the field dry and in top playing condition.

Bike New York & RIVAA’s Painting Party

Last Saturday, June 14, Bike New York and the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association joined together to decorate the bike nonprofit’s storage container, which is located underneath the Helix Ramp. Members of the community came out to express their creativity and decorate the container with bicycle and Roosevelt Island themed imagery. The newly-decorated container will remain on display near the Motorgate Garage bus turnaround for the rest of the summer.