RIOC Announces Location Of New Temporary Dog Run In Firefighters Field And Closing Of About 1/3 Of Firefighters Field Due To Construction Of Hudson Related 28 Story Riverwalk Building 9 Starting This Fall

Reported September 15:

Roosevelt Island Dog Owners Waiting To Find Out Location Of New Southtown Temporary Dog Run - RIOC Says Today It Will Be In Firefighters Field And Ready Before Start Of Hudson Related Building 9 Construction

Today, according to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC): 

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President & CEO Shelton J. Haynes today announced the construction of a temporary dog run while the development of Building 9 is set to begin Fall of 2022.

The current site of the South Town Dog Run will remain open for use until the creation of the temporary dog run is completed in late October. The site of the temporary dog run will be in place until the completion of the permanent dog run at the new Building 9 development aimed to be unveiled in Fall 2024.

Temporary Dog Run Specifications:

• Overall size 85’x30’. Large dog run 60’x30’. Small dog run 25’x30’
• 4’ high chain link fence with a self-closing double gate system with a vestibule
• Ground to be covered with filter fabric and natural Cedar shred

"With economic development booming, this construction is proof that people want to come to Roosevelt Island, to live, work and invest in our community, said RIOC President & CEO Shelton J. Haynes. “Once the construction at Building 9 is complete, the historic investment will breathe new life in and around the Island. The relocation of the dog run will be temporary until the construction of Building 9 is complete – the home of the new dog run. The temporary relocation will be accessible to pet lovers while the field will still be available for community use. It is an exciting time to be a Roosevelt Islander – I cannot wait to share what more is in store to come.”

As part of the Building 9 construction, a Control Access Zone (CAZ) will be established per the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) not accessible for public use. The area beyond the CAZ will be available for use by the public.

Discussions were held in early spring for the temporary dog run to be placed at an unused space south of the Island’s ferry terminal. Before moving forward with construction, RIOC contracted an outside vendor to conduct a soil investigation to ensure the area’s integrity was safe for recreational use. Results from a New York State Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Approval Program certified laboratory found the soil to be contaminated and further requires remediation. The timeline for remediating the area to code would delay the project; however, this area has been cordoned off from the public for years. An announcement for updated plans for the unused area will be made available at a later date to be announced.

Here's the current Firefighters Field.

Reported September 23:

... An online petition to "Save Firefghters Field" was started yesterday by Roosevelt Island residents seeking to stop a proposed plan by the Roosevelt Island Operating  Corp (RIOC) to place a temporary Southtown dog run in a portion of Firefighters Field....   

Will protests continue against a dog run in Firefighters Field? Similar protests have stopped earlier plans for dog runs that would replace existing community open green space.

Also, in June 2019 reported that:

...the 28 story Riverwalk Building 9 will be similar to Riverwalk 7, a market rate rental.  Mr Kramer noted that Hudson Related intends to sell the base of the building to an East Side medical institution for staff housing and retain the balance of floors for rental units with 7 thousand sq ft for a new RIOC office space HQ (4000 on ground floor, 3000 in lower level)...

Here's Hudson Related's David Kramer talking about the future market rate rental Riverwalk Building 9 during May 29, 2019 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting.

I don't know if there have been any changes to the 2019 plan for Riverwalk Building 9 but will update when more info becomes available.

Roosevelt Island Residents Start Petition To Save Firefighters Field From RIOC Proposed Temporary Dog Run - Can Adult And Youth Sports Field Coexist With Dog Run?

Excerpt From Save Firefighters Field Petition

An online petition to "Save Firefghters Field" was started yesterday by Roosevelt Island residents seeking to stop a proposed plan by the Roosevelt Island Operating  Corp (RIOC) to place a temporary Southtown dog run in a portion of Firefighters Field.  

 The current Southtown Dog run

is located next to Firefighters Field but needs a new location because it is scheduled to be removed soon due to construction of Hudson Related Building 9 which is expected to begin in the Fall.

According to the petition:

To RIOC and All those Who Represent Our Island Community:

We are members of the Roosevelt Island community who are concerned with RIOC’s abrupt decision to scrap their plan to put a “temporary” dog park beside the ferry landing. The new plan, only recently announced with intentions to start work immediately, to relocate said temporary dog park in a field allocated for sports and recreation, namely Firefighter Field, leaves the community in the lurch. Firefighters Field is used for organized youth sports such as soccer and baseball, as well as adult sports like volleyball and softball, ultimate frisbee, and informal games of catch, to name a few uses. It is also the sight of the annual community Easter Egg Hunt, and a place where schools and youth groups hold games games and field days.

While we acknowledge and support the need for better dog parks on the island, it is illogical to take away an existing sports field, and the only such one in Southtown, for this purpose. Children’s mental health has suffered enough during the pandemic, when yellow tape went up on the fields and playgrounds and human use of these spaces was prohibited. We are finally getting some normalcy back, and parents are relieved to see the joy return to their children’s lives.

We demand a better solution that dog owners and families can all feel good about. As yet another building goes up, the need to preserve the open space we have left becomes all the more urgent. Please, stick to the plan you announced last May for the ferry location under the bridge, or else find a more viable alternative that the whole community can live with.

Yesterday, I asked if RIOC had any comment on the Save Firefighters Field Petition.

RIOC Vice President of Communications Akeem Jamal replied today:

Currently RIOC is finalizing plans that will be released next week for a full update on the temporary relocation of the dog park and plans to construct the historic new dog park.

I followed up asking RIOC: 

What is the reason for the temporary dog run not to be located in area near the Ferry Dock as originally stated by Shelton?

I’m told it is because the soil in the area was found to be contaminated? Is that true? Were soil tests done? What type of contaminants were found?

Also, has the Roosevelt Island community of parents, kids, dog owners and Firefighters Field users been consulted and provided feedback regarding Rioc plans for the Dog Run? 

Image Of Proposed Temporary Dog Run Next To Ferry Dock From May 19 RIOC Board Meeting

Have not received an answer yet.

Mr Jamal reported last September 15 that the temporary Southtown dog run would be located:

... in Firefighter Park near the ball field. Overall size 85’x30’. Large dog run 60’x30’. Small dog run 25’x30’.

and added later that: 

The remaining available area of the field can be used

for other activities.

Last Spring, RIOC promised to build a new and improved temporary dog run, followed by a permanent dog run, to replace the existing Southtown Dog Run after dog owners started their own petition for Off Leash Hours and a new dog run.

Click here to view the Save Firefighters Field petition. 

Can Roosevelt Island adult and youth recreational sports activities coexist with a dog run at Firefighters Field?

Stay tuned.

Roosevelt Island Dog Owners Waiting To Find Out Location Of New Southtown Temporary Dog Run - RIOC Says Today It Will Be In Firefighters Field And Ready Before Start Of Hudson Related Building 9 Construction

As reported last May 24:

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes reported to the May 19 RIOC Board Of Directors meeting (full video of meeting here) that in the next 3 to 4 weeks the North Dog Run near the Octagon building will be upgraded and that longer term plans include a Dog Run in Lighthouse Park. 

Also, Mr Haynes announced a Southtown "temporary" dog run to be developed in the area next to the Ferry Dock landing under the Queensboro Bridge and appeared to say it would be ready in about a month. 

Mr Haynes added that a more permanent solution for a Southtown Dog Run will be located in the area between the Hudson Related Riverwalk Building 8 and Building 9 when construction of Building 9 is completed. It is anticipated that Building 9 construction will begin in the next few months.

However, it is possible that the "Temporary" Dog Run, if successful, will become permanent. 

But, today RIOC Tweeted the Temporary Dog run near the Ferry Dock will open in the Fall...

Until today, there had been no further information from RIOC about the replacement of the current Southtown Dog Run.

with a temporary one located in a new location.

Earlier this week I asked RIOC VP of Communications Akeem Jamal:

Is there any update on plans for the Southtown dog run?

Back last May, RIOC said a new Temporary Southtown Dog Run would be ready near the Queensboro Bridge in the Fall.

I've heard from many Dog Owners recently upset and angry that there has been no communication all summer about the status of dog run and no apparent work being done in the proposed area near the Queensboro Bridge....

... Any statement from RIOC on this matter?

According to RIOC Vice President of Communications Akeem Jamal, the temporary dog run will not be near the ferry dock as pictured (Red Circle) in presentation from May 19 RIOC Board Meeting,

but in Firefighters Field.

Mr Jamal reports:

The location of it will be in Firefighter Park near the ball field. Overall size 85’x30’. Large dog run 60’x30’. Small dog run 25’x30’.

The temporary Firefighters Field Dog Run is expected to be open in October prior to the start of Riverwalk Building 9 construction. 

Portions of Firefighters Field adjacent to the Building 9 construction site will be fenced off during construction for safety reasons.

Not known at this time if any portion of Firefighters Field will be available for soccer, football, softball, frisbee, kite flying or any other recreational activity during building 9 construction other than the dog run.

2021 Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Series At Firefighters Field Begins Friday June 25 With Raya The Last Dragon - Mad Max, The Black Stallion, Beverly Hills Cop And More Outdoor Roosevelt Island Movies Coming This Summer

The R.I. Outdoor Summer Movie Series is back Check out our full movie schedule and don't forget to join us this Friday, June 25th, for Raya and the Last Dragon, on Firefighter's Field, starting at sunset. Get ready for a night of great views, summer air, and good company. pic.twitter.com/bi4gxatmsk

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) June 21, 2021

The 2021 Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series returns to Firefighters Field

beginning this Friday June 25 with the showing of Disney's Raya The LastDragon.

The Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movie Series at Firefighters Field continues with;

• Mad Max -Saturday, July 10
• The Black Stallion  - Friday, July 23
• Beverly Hills Cop - Saturday, July 24 
• Minari - Friday, July 30
• Brides Maids - Friday, August 13
• Rocketman - Friday, August 20 and
• The Mighty Ducks - Saturday, August 21
  

The 2018 and 2019 Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movies took place at Southpoint Park.

Not known why the location was moved this year.

Bird's Eye View Of Roosevelt Island Frisbee Football At Firefighters Field - Touchdown

Frisbee Football being played last night at Firefighers Field.



Click full screen icon at bottom right of page for better view.

2018 New York City Outdoor Summer Movies At Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park - Wonder Woman, Black Panther, A League Of Their Own Among Films Showing - Beautiful NYC East River Waterfront Views Too - Sponsorships Available

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced the upcoming 2018 Summer Outdoor Movie Series schedule at Roosevelt Island's Firefighter Field Southpoint Park.

Among the films being shown outdoors on Roosevelt Island are Black Panther (August 3),



Wonder Woman (June 22)



and A League Of Their Own (July 6).



According to RIOC Public Information Officer Alonzo Robertson:

Outdoor movie series are a thriving summer tradition on Roosevelt Island and this year’s film schedule of sci-fi, comedy, fantasy and action – including record-breaking superhero blockbuster Black Panther - is arguably RI’s best.

The Roosevelt Island Summer Movie Series, which kicks off Friday, June 22 at the Island’s Southpoint Park, is free admission and includes contests and prizes, food vendors; a state-of-the-art sound system, pre-movie DJ music, and a 40-foot-premium screen. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. and the movies start at sunset. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

“Our movies are a great way for families and friends to enjoy a night on the Island under the stars,” said Susan Rosenthal, the CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) which has produced the event for the past ten years.

The 2018 RI Summer Movies Series dates are:

• Friday, June 22: Wonder Woman; (rain date June 29)
• Friday, July 6: A League of Their Own; (rain date July 13)
• Friday, July 20: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi; (rain date July 27)
• Saturday, July 21: The Fifth Element; (rain date July 28)
• Friday, August 3: Black Panther; (rain date August 10)
• Friday, August 17: A Wrinkle in Time; (rain date August 24)

RI Summer Movie Series sponsorship opportunities are available and include:

• Sponsoring of specific film showings: includes ability to advertise in pre-show presentations, pre-movie on-screen advertising, and/or on-site signage
• Donation of trivia contest prizes or giveaways

Contact Jessica Murray, RIOC Community Affairs Department at 212.832.4540 or jessica.murray@rioc.ny.gov for more information.

Movie series visitors are encouraged to take the iconic Roosevelt Island Tram, the new NYC Ferry Astoria line, or the F-train to Roosevelt Island, and then walk to Southpoint Park. Motorists can access the Island from the intersection of Vernon Avenue and 36th Street in Astoria, travel across the Roosevelt Island Bridge, park at the Motorgate garage and take a free Red Bus to Southpoint Park.

UPDATE 10:30 PM - Correction from original post. The Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movies will be shown at Southpoint Park.

UPDATE 5/10 - I asked Mr. Robertson:

Just want to confirm that the outdoor movies will be shown at Southpoint Park this year and not at Firefighters Field where they have been shown the last few years.

If confirmed, why the move from Firefighters field to Southpoint Park?

I personally like the movies being at Southpoint Park but in the past there were some complaints of Southpoint being too far away and Firefighters being more convenient for residents.

Image of 2012 Southpoint Park Outdoor Movie Showing Captain America By Jordan Riley

Mr. Robertson replied:

The movies were originally at Southpoint Park, but moved to Firefighters Field due to the Cornell Tech construction and the loss of the Red Bus being able to travel down to the park. Now that the construction is complete, the Red Bus is able to make that route, the movie series is moving back to its original home.

Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Showing The Goonies At Firefighters Field Tonight