Roosevelt Island residents are furious today over the long lines and delays at the Tram, Subway, Ferry and bridge caused by the overwhelming number of visitors going to the Cherry Blossom Festival today at the southern section of the Island - FDR Four Freedoms Park
Will have much more on this but for now social media has the info.
It’s very crowded at Roosevelt island cherry blossom festival. 5500 people entered Southpoint Park as of approximately 1:30. pic.twitter.com/VY14gMf6dd
Visitors on way to Roosevelt Island cherry blossom festival walkingfrom subway on Main Street. Over 10 thousand people counted so far entering Southpoint Park. pic.twitter.com/hcr4nVCd2C
Reports of unsafe conditions at Roosevelt Island subway station @NYCTSubway as its being overwhelmed by visitors for today’s Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival. @RIOCnyhttps://t.co/5DeTgw0Yfb
#RooseveltIsland#NYC is crowded as f#ck. Long lines for the 🚠 and Ferry, Checkpoints for the park😳🙄 If you really want to relax, enjoy the island and the blossoms, visit tomorrow or during the week! #nyctouristippic.twitter.com/NEL1tsmU89
As reported last Tuesday afternoon, April 9, the Roosevelt Island Tram had an emergency stop in mid air. A Tipster on the Tram at the time reported:
The tram just had a bad malfunction where it rocked sideways to extreme angles. I was on it. They had to stop it for 20 minutes mid air until they figured out how to bring it down.
What happened exactly is that the tram did stop suddenly, the driver immediately exclaimed "everyone hold on" while he was moving around his control I guess in attempt to check or activate something underneath the main screen.
A young girl on board said this exact thing happened before in the past (a few years back).
After the sudden stop the main issue is that they couldn't get it going again. They tried to start the movement but it wasn't starting smooth, kind of like a car anti-brake system feels when you break suddenly. They stopped again, tried again. For 3 or more times....
Here's video from inside the stuck rocking and swaying Roosevelt Island Tram after the emergency mid-air stop.(Click on full screen icon at bottom right of video for better view.)
Roosevelt Island Tramway Emergency Stoppage Update
At 3:27 PM on Tuesday, April 9th the south cabin of the Roosevelt Island Tramway was halted mid-trip above the East River, for approximately 10 minutes due to the emergency stop button being activated by a passenger on the Manhattan Tramway station platform.
According to the Tramway operator, Leitner-POMA, the emergency button was manually released 3 ½ minutes after being activated. Before completing the trip to the station, it was necessary for the cabin to stop swaying (caused by the force stop), allowing the Tramway’s wireless receptor to re-synch...
The next day, Wednesday, another Roosevelt Island Tipster reported two more incidents of the Tram stalling in mid-air:
Just came off the tram and it stalled for a few minutes midway. Also, as luck would have it, was on the 8am-ish tram this morning and it also stalled. This evening the tram conductor announced that someone at the station pushed the buttons again. I’m starting to question this excuse. Two time in a row that someone pushed this said button? Who’s watching the button at the tram station?
A third Roosevelt Island Tipster added another incident:
It was Monday night, April 1, last week. I was coming back from dinner in the city and grabbed the tram. The time was about 10:30-ish to 11pm. We left the Manhattan side of the tram, and just past 1st Ave, the tram suddenly jerked to a stop and started swinging back & forth.
The Tram operator immediately said, "Everyone please remain in your places and remain still until we continue." Then, I heard him call the station, and he said, "Hey, did anyone over there hit the emergency stop button?" The guy at one of the stations (not sure if it was on the city side or the Island side) responded, "No, why?" The tram operator said, "Cause we stopped for no reason."
The station guy said, "Really? No, no one one that I know of." After about 5 minutes, the tram started again and we continued to the island without incident. That's all I know.
Received these additional comments:
It happened again yesterday {Wednesday}! My daughter said the tram stopped midair and was shaking with a packed cabin and resumed after a few minutes.
swaying is half the fun...you can see tourists scream.
I think the greater question is why is a passenger tripping the emergency stop button from the ground. That person needs to be found and given a citation and fine, or worse. Not cool.
I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal
... Why is there an emergency stop button at Manhattan Tram Station that can be pushed by passengers?
According to Ms Rosenthal:
Explanation from POMA
Per ANSI B77.1-2011, section 2.2.9, “All automatic and manual stop and shutdown devices shall be of the manually reset type”, and, “manual control devices shall be installed at all conductor and operator work positions, control rooms, machine rooms, and out-of-doors in proximity to all loading and unloading areas.” The reference to “out-of-doors” is the requirement to have these switched located outside of the doors in the public areas. If the switches were to be removed, the State of NY would consider this a violation of the code and would shut the tram down.
I followed up?
Is there any way to cover or protect the button so unauthorized persons are not able to activate the emergency stop?
ELECTRICAL IMPROVEMENTS Apr 12 - 15, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon Coney Island-bound F trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av, Queens to 42 St/Port Authority, Manhattan and via the A express to Jay St-MetroTech, Brooklyn...
... No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63, 57, 47-50 Sts, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 34 St-Herald Sq, 23, 14, B'way-Lafayette Sts, 2 Av, Delancey St, East Broadway and York St.
E Trains replace the F, in both directions, between 21 St-Queensbridge and Lexington Av/63 St and run via the R between 57 St-7 Av and Whitehall St...
... ELECTRICAL IMPROVEMENTS Apr 12 - 15, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon Jamaica-bound F trains are rerouted via the E after 47-50 Sts, Manhattan to Roosevelt Av, Queens
No Jamaica-bound F service at 57 St, Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island and 21 St-Queensbridge.
E trains replace the F, in both directions, between 21 St-Queensbridge and Lexington Av/63 St and run via the between 57 St-7 Av and Whitehall St...
Both Tram cabins will be in service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4/12 - 4/14.
Tram repairs will resume on Monday, 4/15 at 6AM, with one tram cabin in service.
The RIOC Red Bus will not operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4/12 - 4/14 and will resume on Monday, 4/15 at 4PM. The first bus will be leaving the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza and the last bus leaving Manhattan at 8:30PM.
The RIOC Red Bus mentioned in advisory is the Shuttle to Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Red Bus will operate as usual except for Saturday when it will not go South of the Tram Station due to the Cherry Blossom Festival.
On Sunday, April 14 from 11a - 2p, we are hosting a Local Competition of MLB Pitch Hit & Run at Capobianco Field. Below is the info from the MLB Press Release:
DESCRIPTION
Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the FUN element of baseball. Since there is NO registration fee, everyone has the opportunity to participate. Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run tests three of the most fundamental aspects of baseball -- pitching, hitting and running.
PITCH: Participant is tested throwing strikes to a designated Strike Zone target.
HIT: Participant hits a ball off a stationary tee for distance and accuracy.
RUN: Participant is timed, starting from second base, touching third then touching home plate.
All of the events are individually scored and converted to a total point score through the use of conversion tables.
Participants will compete in each of the three components of Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run and accumulate a total score based on his/her performance. Awards will be based on the highest score in each age group for each of the three skills, plus an All-Around award for best cumulative score.
LEVELS OF COMPETITION
Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run is a national grassroots program that has four levels of competition -- Local, Sectional, Team Championship and National Finals. The first level is of a LOCAL scope. Everyone must participate in a local competition in order to advance to the higher levels. Champions at the local level advance to a SECTIONAL Competition. At this level, the Sectional All-Around Champions become eligible to advance to the TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS, which are held during June in all 30 Major League Baseball markets. The culmination occurs at the NATIONAL FINALS held annually during All-Star Week.
COMPETITION RULES AND AGENDA
Register in advance at https://pitchhitrun.leagueapps.com/events/994505
All participants must provide a copy of a valid birth document for age verification at all levels of competition, as well as the printed and signed waiver.
Kids can arrive any time between 11am and 2pm. We will take groups of kids through all three skills about every 20 minutes. Kids will be placed in a group based on their arrival time, and can be in the same group with kids of any age, although their scores will only be compared between kids of the same age group, see AGE VERIFICATION CHART below. Kids may have to wait for one group to finish before their group can begin. It's best if the kids do not all show up at 11am or 2pm, as smaller groups will complete the skills more quickly. The awards will be given to the appropriate leaders in each age group when the last group completes their rounds, around 2:30pm. You do not have to be present to be a winner.
AGE VERIFICATION CHART
Age is determined as of July 17, 2019. The following chart is an age group breakdown for the Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run events in 2019:
Age 7/8
July 18, 2010 - July 17, 2012
Age 9/10
July 18, 2008 - July 17, 2010
Age 11/12
July 18, 2006 - July 17, 2008
Age 13/14
July 18, 2004 - July 17, 2006
The Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees are starting to blossom and they are spectacular. (Click video full screen icon on bottom right for better view.)
According to the Cherry Blossom Facebook Page hosted by the FDR Four Freedoms Park (Four Freedoms) and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) at least 13 Thousand people have said they will attend the Saturday April 13 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom event and over 69 thousand are interested. This does not account for those attending not on Facebook. The event is presented by RIOC, Four Freedoms and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA).
What will Roosevelt Island Transportation be like this Saturday, April 13, for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
A Roosevelt Island resident reported last Tuesday:
... from the MTA Weekender app. If I’m reading this correctly, no F trains will be stopping at Roosevelt Island this weekend (in either direction), coinciding with the Cherry Blossom festival! And maybe still only one tram running this weekend? What a disaster!
Not exactly. According to the MTA, there is no Roosevelt Island F Train Service but the E Train will be running on the F line providing Roosevelt Island service to and from Manhattan.
Also, the Twitterverse reports:
@NYCTSubway How can I get to Roosevelt Island on Saturday if the F train is running on the E line?? What are my options??
Got it. E trains will run on the F line between 21 St-Queensbridge and Lexington Av/63 St (including Roosevelt Island). Keep in mind that E trains also run on the R between 57 St-7 Av and Whitehall St, the last stop. More information is here: https://t.co/xWjXwBW8Zb (1/2) ^TS
Will both tram cabins be operating on Saturday for cherry blossom festival?
Ms Rosenthal replied:
Both tram cabins will be operating on Saturday.
RIOC issued this Advisory at 12 PM today:
Due to the Cherry Blossom Festival this Saturday, April 13th, there will be no vehicular traffic and no parking, no stopping, and no standing, starting Friday, April 12th at 7:00PM through Saturday, April 13th at 7:00PM, south of the Tram, including the following locations:
The entire Cornell Tech campus roadway.
North Loop Road at the rear of Sportspark (250 Main St).
In front of and opposite 250-281 Main St. (Sportspark & the R.I. Racquet Club)
West Roadway north, from Tramway Plaza to 475 Main Street, opposite the turnaround (southern end of Rivercross lawn). All traffic will be diverted to the East Roadway.
No Red Bus service south of the Tram Plaza.
Security Checkpoints:
There will be two event checkpoints, monitored by both the R.I. Public Safety Department and additional security officers to provide added coverage, located at the West Roadway (west of the Tram Plaza) entrance and at the junction of the North Loop and East Loop Roads (at the northeast end of the Cornell Tech campus). These checkpoints will open at 10 AM and be in place throughout the event day.
Bag Checks/Prohibited Items:
Soft bag checks will be made. Please see our list of prohibited items below.
Prohibited Items
NO Beach umbrellas, tents, or canopies
NO Grills or cooking
NO Fireworks, sharp objects, or weapons of any kind
NO Camera tripods or lighting equipment.
NO Portable audio systems or speakers.
NO Glass bottles
NO Smoking
NO Bullhorns or noise makers
Transportation:
F train subway service and both Tram cabins are expected to be in operation throughout the Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition, regular Ferry and MTA bus service will be available to and from Roosevelt Island. Please go to mta.info and/or ferry.nyc for up to the minute schedules.
There will be no Roosevelt Island Red Bus service south of the Tram.
The above information can also be found at tinyurl.com/y5zglq9z. For any questions, please call 212-832-4540.
Thank you.
The advisory is incorrect in that there is no Roosevelt Island F train service but, as reported above, the E will be stopping at Roosevelt Island on the F Track line.
Join Four Freedoms State Park in celebrating the Roosevelt Island Community Cherry Blossom Festival featuring Traditional and Modern Japanese Performances and Cultural Fair, and special performances at the Park!
This event is free.
Music & Dance Performances
(subject to change)
12:30pm Opening Remarks
1:00pm Shamisen (Kicho Kai) Japanese String Ensemble
1:30pm Japanese classical Dance (IchiFuji-kai Dance Association)
2:05pm Koto (Masayo Ishigure and Koto Shamisen Ensemble)
2:40pm Japanese blues (Kayo Yoshioka of Neo blues maki)
3:10pm Japanese Folk Dances (RIJA Yosakoi Dancers)
3:35pm Community Folk Dance Lesson (sponsored by MSTDA)
Be prepared for large crowds. One Roosevelt Island resident expressed this view held by some:
Please consider visiting Roosevelt Island on the following day. The cherry blossoms will still be here but without the overwhelming crowds. There is also the matter of safety. Tens of thousands of people coming at once on this little island will not make it a safe event.
As previously reported, several RIRA members have expressed concern over the planning, funding, insurance, crowd management and if RIRA is an appropriate organization to be organizing the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival which began in 2011, on a much smaller scale,
as a fundraising effort to assist victims after that year's earthquake in Japan.
According to RIOC, over 10 thousand people attended the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival.
Enjoy the 2019 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival, be courteous and be safe.
If you're coming to the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival, be sure to check out Setsuko Winchester's "Freedom From Fear/Yellow Bowl Project" at the Park!
Four Freedoms Park Conservancy announces “Freedom from Fear/Yellow Bowl Project” by ceramic artist and journalist Setsuko Winchester will be exhibited at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14. The exhibit examines racial and cultural stereotypes during WWII, and the relocation and imprisonment of Japanese Americans following FDR’s Executive Order 9066 in 1942.
In 2015, Winchester hand-pinched 120 yellow tea bowls, each representing 1,000 of the 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who were forcibly detained in ten US concentration camps. Winchester traveled more than 16,000 miles as she traversed the country, photographing her tea bowls in situ at the sites of these former camps to illuminate this marginalized chapter in American history.
“My ceramic essay is an attempt to use something beautiful to examine an ugly part of our history, thus turning its memory inside out,” Winchester explains. “Rather than expose the ugliness of those who perpetuated and confirmed the Fear (FDR included), I wanted to show the humanity of those who were incarcerated.”
Winchester first visited FDR Four Freedoms State Park in 2016 to photograph her tea bowls along the Park’s granite edges. Located on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, the Park is a memorial to president Roosevelt and his vision for universal human freedoms.
“Art has a unique power to tell stories,” says CEO Howard Axel. “As steward of this architectural masterpiece designed by Louis Kahn, we are always looking for inspiring ways to connect visitors to human rights through programming; Ms. Winchester’s work does just that by capturing a moment in history and igniting a conversation about the four freedoms.”
The public is invited to join an artist-led talk and tour of the exhibition on Sunday, April 14 at 2:00pm, which will discuss the history behind Executive Order 9066, Winchester’s impetus for creating this project, and how we can learn from history.
This weekend is not only the @richerryblfest 🌸 we're also featuring the "Freedom from Fear/Yellow Bowl Project" by artist Setsuko Winchester - tickets are available (but limited!) for her talk and tour on the project
A Cornell Tech Masters student Tipster reported a malfunction and emergency stop in mid-air on the Roosevelt Island Tram earlier this afternoon.
According to the Tipster:
The tram just had a bad malfunction where it rocked sideways to extreme angles. I was on it. They had to stop it for 20 minutes mid air until they figured out how to bring it down
What happened exactly is that the tram did stop suddenly, the driver immediately exclaimed "everyone hold on" while he was moving around his control I guess in attempt to check or activate something underneath the main screen.
A young girl on board said this exact thing happened before in the past (a few years back).
After the sudden stop the main issue is that they couldn't get it going again. They tried to start the movement but it wasn't starting smooth, kind of like a car anti-brake system feels when you break suddenly. They stopped again, tried again. For 3 or more times.
I asked the driver when we got off "Did this thing ever happened before?" He mumbled something about "The computer" and pointed to the Roosevelt island station. As if he was thinking the computer on the ground was causing the issue.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:
I’m told there was a problem on tram this afternoon.
It was stuck in mid air for over 20 minutes before docking at station and cabin was shaking.
Is that true.
What happened?
Any statement from Rioc.
Ms Rosenthal replied:
A passenger hit a safety switch on the Manhattan side, causing the tram to stop----the ride across took about 7-8 minutes longer as a result. No one was hurt.
The Tipster added:
It definitely didn't feel like there was a "one time" issue that caused the stop.There was a technical challenge to get it to move again. It didn't feel like they had it under control. I am surprised they didn't ground it longer.
A RIOC spokesperson had this fuller explanation:
Roosevelt Island Tramway Emergency Stoppage Update
At 3:27 PM on Tuesday, April 9th the south cabin of the Roosevelt Island Tramway was halted mid-trip above the East River, for approximately 10 minutes due to the emergency stop button being activated by a passenger on the Manhattan Tramway station platform.
According to the Tramway operator, Leitner-POMA, the emergency button was manually released 3 ½ minutes after being activated. Before completing the trip to the station, it was necessary for the cabin to stop swaying (caused by the force stop), allowing the Tramway’s wireless receptor to re-sync. The receptor is the communication mechanism that enables the cabins to travel to and from the stations. After approximately five minutes, the Tram was re-started and the south cabin docked into the Roosevelt Island station at 3:39 PM. No injuries were reported.
The Tram is back in service.
UPDATE 7:50 PM - Another Tram rider reported:
This EXACT thing happened last Monday (April 1) at about 10:30pm. Stopped mid-air. And heard the tram operator call & say “Hey, did anyone push the emergency stop button?” Station responded: “No, not that I know of.”
According to Roosevelt Island based environmental advocacy non profit organization iDig2Learn:
iDig2Learn unites the community around the idea that children benefit greatly from time spent outdoors in nature exploring science and the origin of food through plant life.
iDig2Learn believes that working together to create green spaces, including science gardens, builds knowledge and creates another source of interest that will strengthen the bonds of friendship in diverse communities for years to come.
iDig2Learn provides memorable experiences in real-world settings allowing children and families to grow food and to connect with nature...
Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico reports:
We are proud to announce the upcoming iDig2Learn Series: Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature which will invite islanders of all ages to explore the island outdoors.
Islanders are lucky to be surrounded by open green space, mature flowering trees, community and teaching gardens, estuary waters and vast sky, and this series will welcome the public to discover our natural treasures. Throughout a series of workshops and experiences islanders will learn how habitat supports life. For example, plants support butterflies, bees and birds and pollinators are vital to much of the fruit and vegetables we eat. Plus our waters, land and air play a vital role in the health of all living things, including us. So whether we are learning about our sun's role in life on earth, or how to grow our own micro-greens, or which plants welcome birds and butterflies come join us outdoors to explore together.
Look out for the iDig2Learn Series: Celebrating Roosevelt Island's Nature activities throughout the spring and summer. Email iDig2Learn@gmail.com to sign up. Space is limited. The May 19 workshop is full but spaces still available for April 23 and 26.
Ms Delfico adds:
Also please Save the Date...
Saturday, April 27 #EarthLove event during the farmers market at Good Shepherd Plaza. Save the date and join us for a compost giveback, sustainable giveaways, and earth-friendly activities. Stay tuned for more details from RIOC and island groups.
During the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting Public Session, Ms. Delfico reported on the Saturday April 27 Roosevelt Island Earth event as well as additional Roosevelt Island sustainability, composting, and electronic/clothing recyclying opportunities.
Ms Delfico asked the Common Council Members if they knew how many plastic bags are used each Saturday at the Farmers Market - the answer was .... 7 thousand plastic bags.
In order to reduce the number of plastic bags, 1 thousand re-usable tote bags will be given away at the Saturday April 27 Farmers Market as well as a drawing to give away 10 kitchen countertop compost bins.
Stonewall 50: Queer, There, and Everywhere: LGBTQ History-Makers
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 7:15 p.m
World history has been made by countless LGBTQ individuals—and you’ve never heard of many of them. Queer author and activist Sarah Prager joins us to share the stories of people who fought, created, and loved on their own terms. From high-profile figures like Eleanor Roosevelt to the trailblazing gender-ambiguous Queen of Sweden, these astonishing true stories uncover a rich heritage that encompasses every culture, in every era.
This program will be held at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance at 548 Main Street. Refreshments will be served!
This program is presented as a partnership between the New York Public Library, the Roosevelt Island Youth Center, and the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp adds:
A reminder that next Tuesday, April 9th, you are invited to our final Persistence, Pride & Power event- Queer, There, and Everywhere, readings and... https://t.co/QcjHNtPC29
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
