Figment NYC Participatory Art Project Coming To Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park June 1-2 - RIOC Working With Office Of Emergency Management, NYPD 114 Precinct, MTA And Other NYC Agencies To Avoid Another Cherry Blossom Festival Transportation Disaster And Insure Safety Of Large Crowd Expected To Attend

Roosevelt Island is hosting the 2019 Figment NYC Participatory Art Project at Lighthouse Park on June 1-2.  The event is expected to draw large numbers of visitors to Roosevelt Island which is of great concern to residents who do not want a repeat of the Cherry Blossom Festival Transportation disaster. As reported April 30:

The April 13 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival was a transportation planning disaster for Roosevelt Island residents and visitors. We are fortunate nobody was seriously injured or even killed by the overwhelming number of people waiting on very, very, very long lines at the Tram, Subway, Ferry and Roosevelt Island Bridge....



To date, not one of the Cherry Blossom Festival organizers, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) and the FDR Four Freedoms Park have apologized, taken responsibility or explained what they will do to prevent future similar occurrences from happening.

During the May 1 RIRA Common Council meeting, RIRA President Lynn Strong-Shinozaki reported to the community:

Many of us were heartbroken and dismayed to hear of the transportation difficulties our neighbors experienced during and after this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Our neighbors fell into two camps:

Some enjoy the quiet, small town nature of our island, and want to keep it that way, with no community events at all.

Some would like to have events, as long as there is preferential treatment to the residents and people who work and do business here, limiting the number of people who have access to the island during events.

Moving forward, what is most important is that the Roosevelt Island community needs to have a strong voice in how Transportation issues are studied, and how solutions are planned and executed. It is absolutely unacceptable for our residents, workers and guests to be denied access to our community.

RIRA will be meeting with the MTA, New York Ferry and NYPD 114, plus, of course, RIOC, to talk about Transportation , Crowd control and the rush-hour problems residents have been experiencing for years. Both Assembly member Seawright and State Senator Serrano will arrange these meetings and champion our community on these issues. We hope to come back to RIRA with them to present solutions in the very near future. Your feedback has been noted.

Roosevelt Island's NY State Senator Jose Serrano addressed the issue as follows:

While the Cherry Blossom festival was a success in some aspects, the transportation issues that occurred on the day of the event are truly troubling. Our office is working alongside Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright's office in organizing a meeting between RIRA, RIOC, RI Public Safety, NYCTA, New York City Ferry and the 114th Precinct in the hopes that we can come up with a plan of action for festivals/events like this on the island going forward. Safe and swift transportation to, from and on the island is a major priority, not just on event days.

We have been continuing a dialogue with RIOC and residents in regards to field access and the construction at Octagon Field. We are thankful for RIOC's compromises so far, which include limited permit times to outside groups, reducing the fencing around the new field, and decreasing the number of trees affected by construction. We remain in communication about further potential improvements to the plan....

What will RIOC do to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the Figment NYC event. RIOC spokesperson Jessica Murray reported today:

Executives from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) attended a meeting with New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and other city agencies yesterday to develop a safety and transportation plan for the upcoming Figment Festival. In an April 25th kickoff meeting with NYCEM Commissioner Joseph Esposito, RIOC representatives Susan Rosenthal, Shelton Haynes, Jack McManus, and Kevin Brown discussed concerns which arose from the popular Cherry Blossom Festival held a few weeks prior. They requested participation from other agencies to proactively address safety, crowd control, and transportation issues for future large events on Roosevelt Island, using Figment as a test for an interagency plan.

Commissioner Esposito expeditiously contacted department heads from corresponding agencies (NYPD, DOT, FDNY, NYCEDC, MTA) to request their attention and action to assist RIOC. At this second meeting yesterday, with all the aforementioned parties, it was decided that the Public Safety Department (PSD) will work hand in hand with the 114 Precinct and Transit Authority to manage crowd and security concerns.

Transportation agencies are actively working on solutions to maintain a safe and steady flow of attendees. Vehicles are being strongly discouraged as an option for accessing the island on the days of the event. Members of NYCEM leadership will be on the island for event days to assist with any matters that may arise. A follow up meeting will be scheduled to finalize the safety and transportation plans.

The Figment Festival will take place on June 1st and 2nd primarily in Lighthouse Park, with smaller exhibits positioned at other locations on the island. Figment’s vision for art looks past the white-walled galleries and into the realm of participation. Figment NYC was held on Governor’s Island for 12 years and this will be its first year on Roosevelt Island. This will be Figment’s 70th festival, with events having been held in 20 cities and five countries.

Here's what to expect at the Figment NYC Lighthouse Park event:

What: FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It's a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible. For one weekend this summer, it will transforms Roosevelt Island into a large-scale collaborative artwork - and then it's gone.

When: Saturday, June 1st 10am-10pm and Sunday June 2nd 10am-6pm.

Where: Lighthouse Park, Roosevelt Island, NYC… Click here for directions.

How Much: FREE! FIGMENT is a free, non-profit event, and we do not accept corporate sponsorship.

What to Bring: Whatever you need for a day of fun. For specific ideas or if you have specific questions, view our list! Note: The event is rain-or-shine. If the forecast calls for rain, be prepared to hide – or dance – under porches, arches, and umbrellas while the clouds pass.

What to Expect: Art and activities in every medium available… especially the art and activities that YOU bring! Click here to see a full list of this year's activities.

More info on Figment NYC at their web site.



as well as volunteer opportunities for the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park event.