I Love My Park Day, held the first Saturday in May, attracts thousands of
volunteers from across the state to participate in cleanup, improvement, and
beautification events at New York State parks, historic sites and public
lands. Join us to celebrate New York's park system and prepare our public
lands for spring by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and
gardens, restoring trail and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, and
working on various site improvement projects
A rainy Saturday won’t stop Roosevelt Islanders from coming out and
beautifying our parks and green spaces.
I loved joining NYS
Parks Commissioner and CEO of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Howard Axel for
Love Your Parks Day.
pic.twitter.com/5cIrCyAdug
Roosevelt Island resident and Coler Hospital Auxiliary volunteer Judy Berdy reports:
A person is needed to work in the recently opened Coler Subway Sandwich and Gift shops that sells coffee and snacks. The shops needs staffing with persons familiar with restaurant/ sandwich work.
Stop by Coler, 900 Main Street, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 914 924 9024.
Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) founder and Haki Compost Collective volunteer Anthony Longo is concerned about the continued viability of the Roosevelt Island Food scrap drop off site located every Saturday next to the Farmers Market behind the Good Shepherd Church.
Roosevelt Island Saturday Food Scrap Drop Off Site New Location Behind Church At Good Shepherd Plaza Farmers Market Starting Tomorrow - Sign Up To Volunteer For The Roosevelt Island Food Scrap Site With Haki Compost Collectivehttps://t.co/81DCwTEaKQpic.twitter.com/So6rnDrK45
Roosevelt Island’s organic matter gets turned into compost by the NYC Compost project hosted by BIG Reuse at their site in LIC Under the Queensboro bridge. The facilities have been under threat of being replaced by vehicles from the Parks department. What can be done to ensure that this site can continue to operate on the spot they built? And if they must be relocated what progress has been made in finding them a new site?
... We have an alternate site for Big Reuse in Greenpoint. We are not going to let the community that has been served by that location go unserved.
NYC Sanitation Assistant Commissioner Of Public Affairs Josh Goodman reported:
They have the site in Long Island City now and we have space in Greenpoint where if they lose the Long Island City site they can come to Greenpoint. so this is all sort of in flux but Big Reuse will be taken care of one way or another.
Ms Tisch added:
I am 100% percent committed to taking care of Big Reuse.
As previously reported, come along on a virtual tour of the Big Reuse Long Island City Compost facility taken in May 2021.
One of the great things about Roosevelt Island is the diversity of
nationalities, cultures and religions of residents living in our
community.
The Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island (ISRI) shares these photos and
reports:
Here are some pictures of ISRI's celebration of Eid Al-Fitr at PS217 on
5/2/22.
As you may know, Eid Al-Fitr is a Holy day in the Islamic LUNAR Calendar,
which marks the end of the Holy month of RAMADAN! Ramadan is the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting,
prayer, reflection and community.
Ramadan begins 10 to 12 days earlier each year. This is because the Islamic
calendar is based on the lunar Hijri calendar with months that are 29 to 30
days long. Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year by 11 days,
this means that Ramadan will also be observed twice in the year 2030 – first
on January 6 and then again on December 27 – depending on the sighting of
the moon. The next time Ramadan will start after April 2 will be about 33
years from now, or the year 2055.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The
month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to
sunset. According to Islam, the Holly Quran was sent down to the lowest
heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by
angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to Muhammad (the LAST Prophet to MANKIND).
Therefore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be
open for the entire month and the gates of Hell (Jahannam) would be closed.
The first three days of the next month, Shawwal, are spent in celebration
and are observed as the "Festival of Breaking Fast" or Eid al-Fitr.
President Joe Biden and Mrs Biden celebrated Eid al-Fitr in the White House
too.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised, RIOC will begin interior and exterior power washing
at the Motorgate Atrium and the Helix area beginning the week of
4/25/22. All public areas will be cordoned off and protection will be
installed at the interior entrances within the garage. Elevator access
to the garage will be maintained at all times. Directional signs will
be posted within the Atrium to guide access to the elevators. The
anticipated duration of this project is two months.
Yesterday, work was being done washing the exterior of the Motorgate Atrium
NYC College students and recent graduates – Join SoFi and The Financial Diet for a night out on Roosevelt Island!
Hosted at the lively Graduate Hotel, we'll start the night off with networking alongside FREE snacks, swag & beverages.
Then, we'll move into the content portion of the night, where Chelsea
Fagan, founder and CEO of The Financial Diet, and SoFi’s Brian Walsh
will be hosting a financial fireside chat about how to focus on your
finances in your 20's. Bring your questions and appetites, and even a
friend or two!
TIMELINE:
6:00-7:00 pm: Check-In +
networking with light food and drinks @ The Cherry Blossom Room &
The Minnehanonck Ballroom on the 3rd floor.
7:00-7:45 pm: Join Chelsea Fagan, founder and CEO of The Financial Diet, and SoFi’s Brian Walsh for a financial fireside chat.
At at or about 6:10 PM on April 27, 2022 there were 15 children between ages
4 to 11 years old playing baseball in the company of five adults at Pony
Field when four residents of the Octagon building arrived at the same Pony
Field with four medium to large dogs and unleashed those dogs.
The adults accompanying the young children trying to play baseball
complained to the owners of the unleashed dogs with no luck. The dogs
started running towards the baseball balls.... this is the second
Wednesday in a row dog owners unleashed their dogs in the middle of kids
playing baseball.
Photo by Suzy del Campo Perea
Ms Perea adds that by the time PSD officers arrived, the dog owners with their
unleashed dogs were gone.
The subject of unleashed Roosevelt Island dogs was discussed during the April 19
Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee
(PSC) meeting with RIOC PSD Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso. According to Deputy Chief
Amoroso
We have such a 50/50 back and forth when it comes to dogs on the
Island. We get many complaints about the dogs. We get many complaints that we're not
showing the animals compassion, that we're not doing the right thing about
the dogs on the island.
For every one we get negative we get a positive one so it goes back and
forth. Obviously the rules and the regulations we have currently ... goes
without saying. Keeping your dog on a leash is just safe for the dog but
I've gotten numerous numerous calls about why the dogs are not allowed to
run on the fields
How cruel is that to dogs, how cruel can we be to the animals to not let
them be on the fields whereas I get calls that there's ten dogs on the field
what are we doing why aren't we enforcing it... we're enforcing the rules
and the rules right now are the dogs are not allowed on the fields, they're
not allowed to run, they need to be on leashes. Until that changes I know
some people are upset over that but those are the rules...
Watch the full RIRA PSC meeting discussion about Roosevelt Island dogs.
On April 27, RIRA Island Services Committee Co- Chair Raul Cavazos-Binder sent
the following message to RIOC President Shelton Haynes:
I am following up on the below correspondence that RIRA president, Rossana
Ceruzzi, addressed with you last year; the status of dog runs. As the
co-chair of RIRA's Island Services Committee, I have received countless and
increasing concerns when it comes to the state of the dog runs, and dogs
running freely off leash in our public green spaces because there is no
better alternative.
Many parents are highly concerned that children actively playing around off
leash dogs poses a serious safety hazard. Dogs owners are out of control and
have taken the sledding hill at South town as well as a portion of Blackwell
Park, the Pony field, Southpoint park, Cornell hills and open land. Many
children and adults have dog phobias and fear for their physical safety. In
the last two months two residents have been bitten and were seeking info
about the dogs’ owners and vaccinations on a local dog network since the
owners fled the scene in both cases.
It is completely out of control. Dogs off leash should not use any parts of
RI public land. The two dog run areas need to be upgraded/recreated as soon
as possible. As HR is bringing most of the dogs to the island, RI residents
feel they should at the very least “sacrifice” the land for it and maintain
it properly. A few years ago, an agreement was reached between RIOC and HR
about a new Dog Park to service the community. In that agreement HR promised
to build the dog run area near buildings 8-9. Is there any updates on that
agreement?
Please let me and Rossana Ceruzzi, cc'd here, know the status of the dog
runs as I believe previous discussions indicated that the newly
updated/refurbished dog runs would be completed by Q2 of 2022. If you could
give me an update by the end of the week, I would greatly appreciate it.
The "HR" referred to by Mr. Cavazos-Binder is Southtown building developer
Hudson Related.
On April 28, I asked Hudson Related developer David Kramer:
There is an increasing problem with Roosevelt Island dogs running unleashed in
Southtown at Firefighters Field and elsewhere. Dog owners claim current dog
run is inadequate. Other residents, including many dog owners are very upset
with those dog owners who keep their dogs unleashed. What is the status of the
long planned new dog run in Southtown? Is a new Southtown dog run
responsibility of Hudson Related or Rioc?
Mr Kramer replied:
We’re awaiting RIOC’s determination about where they want to place the new dog
run. If it’s going to be in Southtown, it’ll be in the Commons East area
between buildings 8 & 9, which we’re planning to build when we build
Riverwalk 9 (hope to start later this year). Alternatively, RIOC may have a
different location in mind.
This afternoon, RIOC advisory message quoted President Shelton Haynes:
Over the past few weeks, the Roosevelt Island Resident Association (RIRA)
President Rosanna Ceruzzi and I have been discussing a variety of items that
impact the lives of Roosevelt Island residents. Ms. Ceruzzi has made me aware
of growing concerns surrounding dogs that we plan to address immediately. Some
of the noted concerns were finding temporary solutions and discussing long
term plans for upgraded dog runs, developing a communication plan that would
place signs in specific areas known to be problematic, enforcement of policies
and stipulating the consequences for dog owners not adhering to clearly
defined rules and regulations. We will be working with RIRA’s subcommittees,
the Island Services and Public Safety committee and will convey next steps to
the Roosevelt Island community soon.
A group called the Roosevelt Island Dog Parents Association has started a:
Petition for New Roosevelt Island South Dog Run + Off-Leash Hours for
Firefighters Field
According to the Petition:
This petition has two aims: 1. To advocate for a new Roosevelt Island (RI)
South Dog Run and 2. To advocate for off-leash hours for Firefighter’s Field
to ameliorate the current lack of appropriate facilities.
The RI South Dog Run has been poorly maintained for years and has now become
a safety hazard for our pets; multiple dogs having sustained injuries due to
rocks, holes, or broken glass (for example, a puppy injured his dewclaw on a
rock and required surgical intervention, another cut his paw on glass,
another sprained an ankle due to a hole). Additionally, the run is now
completely composed of dirt and is essentially unusable in the setting of
rain, is too small and restrictive to even accommodate all dogs living in
this area or to allow for sufficient exercise for larger dogs, and has
inadequate shade for our animals during sunnier months. This situation has
been long-neglected and overdue for a solution, especially given the recent
crackdown by the Public Safety Department on dogs being present in
Firefighter’s Field (even leashed), despite this being contrary to official
park policy (https://rioc.ny.gov/397/Field-Rules).
Given the inadequate state of our dog facilities, we are also seeking
off-leash hours for Firefighter’s Field, before 9am and after 9pm. This is a
common policy throughout NYC parks, including Central Park (https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas) and can be subject to change if there are special events/games scheduled.
We realize that one of the major complaints of our pets in grassy areas is
that some owners do not follow the law and curb their dogs. We agree that
this is completely inappropriate; however, we believe it should be addressed
via improved surveillance and stricter enforcement of fines as opposed to
punishment of and restrictions placed on all dog owners.
We hope to work with you to continue to make Roosevelt Island a wonderful
place to live for dog-owners and non-dog-owners alike. Dog ownership is a
reality of our community and our animals need to be accommodated. Both of
the above requests come in the face of strikingly inadequate and dangerous
facilities for our animals. Please let us know when we can expect a new dog
park, and what immediate solution you plan to implement in the meantime.
The petition organizer, Jennifer Heinen adds:
As I have come to appreciate over the last seven years as a Roosevelt Island
citizen, some of the most magical things about living here are the amount of
plant life and natural beauty as well as the friendly, open, and vibrant
community. Based on NYC dog licensing data, there are approximately 782 dogs
living on Roosevelt Island as of July 2021 (this number has likely increased).
Having only two small dog parks in the face of these numbers seems drastically
inadequate; the unmaintained and dangerous state of the South Town Dog Run is
unacceptable. The island has a surfeit of green space compared to the rest of
NYC that can accommodate us all. We want a safe, adequately-sized area for our
beloved pets to play and exercise, just as parents do for their children. I
truly believe we are all capable of coming to a shared and reasonable
compromise that can allow us to live in harmony.
Roosevelt Island parent Rachel Dowling has a different view from Ms Heinen.
According to Ms Dowling:
So a Southtown dog owner has apparently started a petition to get RIOC to let
dog owners let their dogs off leash on Firefighter Field. She is claiming that
because the dog park is “not safe” the dogs should get use of the field until
the new dog park is eventually built.
Let’s be clear. Firefighter field is now destroyed and unsafe for kids and
adults to play sports BECAUSE Y’ALL KEEP RUNNING YOUR DOGS on a PERMITTED
PLAYING FIELD. I’ve also seen dogs taking a dump on said field after their
work out. If this petition was fairly and reasonably addressing the new dog
park I would support that. I think we all would. But off leash dogs are
destroying our playing fields from the Octagon to Firefighters, creating
unsafe confrontations with other dogs and players, not to mention joggers or
strollers or anyone else trying to enjoy the island.
We can’t be compared to Central Park where there is a much larger amount of
open space to work with. This is not the way folks.
Put your dog on a leash and take them for a run on the promenade. Or
petition RIOC to allow off leash hours down at South Point Park or up at the
Lighthouse park, where you’re not conflicting with playing fields and a
residential/commercial neighborhood.
Roosevelt Island resident Merchu Curutchet-Ziv explains the
longstanding problems at the Southtown Dog Run.
When I moved here about 8 years ago, we were a pretty nice group of people
that would gather in the dog run to share our love for dogs and watch them
play while we talked. It was actually very nice.
However, little by little, people started not taking their dogs into the run
because so many dogs got injured. The most horrific injury was one poor dog
that while playing with other dogs, got pushed, shoved into a broken fence
that pinched a big portion of her skin and as she tried to free herself, it
ripped a big chunk of her skin and fur clean from her body. Can you imagine
the pain? That dog took a long time to heal and was traumatized. And I have
no idea if that fence was ever fixed. This, I witnessed and it was the last
time I took my dog in there.
I also remember a few dogs breaking their nails catching it on the
splintered not maintained benches. The door into the run was broken so many
times - We would report it and were totally ignored. We were always trying
to fix it ourselves, with ropes or things that didn’t last too long but you
don’t want your dog to get out and run into the street. Once, there was rat
poison and a couple of dogs got very sick - not sure if it was accidental or
someone that hates dogs.
The ground was at times very wet and muddy, when dogs drink muddy water the
bacteria in it makes them very sick - my dog needed antibiotics for two
weeks. Humans without dogs would sometimes hang out at night and leave their
cigarettes butts and empty beer bottles and gross garbage. Which we would
then have to clean up, when we arrived to the run with our dog.
Yeah, some humans behave worse than any dog. Plus, anyone that knows the
real needs of a dog realizes that the size of that run is a joke. It is not
big enough for dogs to run and exercise. Unless you have a verrrrry mellow
toy breed. Overcrowded dog runs are a big problem. If dogs don’t have enough
space to run, it could cause them to feel invaded, intimidated, and as a
result aggression among them. That isn’t safe for anyone.
I would like someone to please take inventory of all the signs that say “no
dogs allowed on grass” in this island. They are all over!!! I would really
like to see some signs that say “dogs allowed” they are non existent. Maybe
I’m blind.
By the way, I’m a mom too so I can clearly see how my boys in this last 8
years have enjoyed plenty, plenty of space in the island to play freely,
skateboard and play many sports, in different parts of the island and in the
playgrounds too, without any injuries and I can’t say the same for my dog.
And actually, I lived in many neighborhoods in New York city and this one is
the one with more space, more trees, air, grass… etc. How come it is so hard
to share it and get proper space for our dogs?!
You know the way I deal with it? I take my dog to many, many, other dog runs
in different neighborhoods because I’m lucky to have a car. I go to LIC,
Brooklyn, Manhattan, and I’m amazed how big and decent those dog runs are in
comparison to ours. I don’t see why we can’t have a good dog run. I also
take my dog to Central Park during off leash hours. There should be a space
in this island to be able to do that too. Just a short off leash hours, not
in a sport’s field. If the options that were given to us were at least
better, but they are really, really bad.
By the way, it would be great to also get more tolerant non-dog owner
neighbors. Also, responsible dog owners that monitor their dogs well and
pick up their poop! There are poop bag dispensers everywhere - How hard
could that be? And please stop trying to make this about dog people vs kids’
people. I am proud to be both. It is not that hard to share, tolerate, put
yourselves in other people’s shoes in a civilized and kind way. And hey, If
you are blessed enough to have kids and dogs, ❤️ you are just awesome! We
are privileged to live in a neighborhood that has so much space.
The world has real problems. Trust me, this isn’t one that can’t be
resolved.
RIRA PSC member Frank Farance add:
At last week's Public Safety Committee meeting, there was a
discussion of dogs off their leash. Here are a couple insights,
suggestions, and conclusions:
Octagon residents are using the Octagon Pony Field as an
illegal "dog run" as a dozen dogs are unleashed and roaming
the whole field (presumably, pooping and peeing on it).
See the two photos, taken 60 seconds apart (time to turn the car
around for a better photo), where the dogs are in the Right
Field and 60 seconds later they're in the Infield - they're
roaming the whole field.
RIOC should remind Octagon that their residents need to
follow the law, and RIOC should remind Octagon that it can
enforce this as a violation of its ground lease (e.g., Article
23 Use and Management of the Premises, Article 34 Quiet
Enjoyment) and, I believe, the Master Lease (e.g., Article 18
Quiet Enjoyment).
Leashes are required AND required to be six feet
or SHORTER - long leashes are NOT permitted.
The fines are pretty high: ranging from $200 to $400
per violation of City law, $250 per violation of State law.
RIOC/PSD might not have the authority to enforce all the
dog-related rules. While RIOC can enforce the State law
(picking up poop), I believe RIOC/PSD needs approval to write
tickets for violation of City law - RIOC's legal department
should advise,
Each person who owns or controls a dog must remove any feces left
by that dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, or other public area
and dispose of it in a legal manner. The person may remove the
feces and carry them away with him/her for disposal in a toilet or
their own trash container or trash bag. The feces may also be
placed in a non-leaking sealed bag or container and deposited in a
DSNY litter basket. The provisions of this law do not apply to a
guide dog accompanying any blind person. Related Law: New York
State Public Health Law §1310 (Search for Public Health Law
(PBH), Article 13, Title 1: General Provisions; Control and
Abatement). Fine: $250
Control of Dogs & Other Animals to Prevent Nuisance
Each person who owns or controls a pet shall not allow the animal
to commit a nuisance on any public or private premises used in
common by the public, or any area of a building abutting a public
place. Related Law: New York City Health Code §161.03. Fine:
$200–$400
Unleashed Dogs
A person who owns or controls a dog may not allow it to be in any
public place or in any open or unfenced field abutting a public
place, unless the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or
chain no more than six feet long. Related Law: New York City
Health Code §161.05. Fine: $200–$400
UPDATE 9:05 PM - Watch the interesting and productive ISC meeting held earlier this evening moderated by Committee Co-Chair Raul Cavazos-Binder. The issues were discussed in a very intelligent and civil manner by Roosevelt Island residents holding a variety of viewpoints on the subject of dog runs and off leash running.
Forgot that I snapped this pic on the journey back — the Queensboro Bridge jam-packed with Five Boro Bike Tour cyclists as the iconic Roosevelt Island red tram passes overhead. #bikenycpic.twitter.com/iz7gQurC8W
— Billy Freeland 🚴♂️🚠(@BillyFreelandNY) May 1, 2022
Former Roosevelt Island/Upper East Side NYC Council Member Ben Kallos shows us view of Roosevelt Island and the Cornell Tech campus from the Queensboro Bridge during his 5 Boro Bike ride today.
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.
