yesterday during the April 22 Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day. According to Ms Ferguson:
We're very happy to have worked with Matt Kibby, our Horticultural
director on Roosevelt Island. We were able to order a lot of perennials shrubs and flowers...
... We've been hoping to work on this area for some time and this is a great opportunity.... it's been a really fun day...
Will have more from Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day tomorrow later this week.
Roosevelt Island resident Josina Baez is sick and tired of the shabby and
deteriorating condition of the Riverwalk Commons landscaping maintained by the
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) - or more precisely, its lack of proper
care and maintenance.
Ms Baez writes:
Over the past few years the People’s (Riverwalk) Commons, because of lack of
regular maintenance, has seriously deteriorated. Even the planting of annual
flowers was discontinued.
New York City parks and numerous NY City local communities have volunteers
who are assisting the NY Park’s department in taking care of their gardens.
I believe we can do the same on Roosevelt Island.
2 weeks ago with 2 other residents I met with Matthew Kibby, the chief of
Roosevelt Island Grounds Dept. and we walked the Commons. Mr. Kibby having
only +/- 10 people to take care of the whole island indicated that he would
appreciate our RI residents help, but he had to get permission of his Boss
for this to happen.
My request was: Clean up and weed and plant some annuals again.
I DID NOT ASK FOR ANY FUNDS.
I'm told this "Boss" sent my request to the RIOC LEGAL Dep't and there
it got stuck: no reply, no answer, no reason given for a YES or NO.
In the meantime the weeds are full grown plants by now and the Commons looks
“run-down”. The Commons belongs to all RI residents, a place where residents
come together to enjoy the outside, to socialize, to relax, to watch their
children play. It also should be a place of beauty.
I spoke to Ms Baez today about her efforts to clean up and beautify the
Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Commons.
Here's what she had to say.
As we finished our talk, RIOC groundskeepers were spotted cutting hedges
around the Riverwalk Commons though according to Ms Baez and others,
the groundskeepers should be using hand trimmers, not power trimming saw, to cut
the hedges.
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 10, 2020
Roosevelt Island residents care passionately about our trees so when any are spotted being removed alarm bells ring. Last Wednesday was such a day when residents spotted trees and bushes being cut on the waterfront promenade near Eleanor's Pier.
On Wednesday, July 8th, led by our Director of Landscaping and Horticulture, Matthew Kibby, the RIOC Grounds Department performed rejuvenation pruning of overgrown Ilex glabra (Inkberry) plants in the vicinity of Eleanor’s Pier.
The overgrowth in the area was infringing upon benches and the walkway along the promenade. Inkberry were also shading out other area plantings and inhibiting visibility, including views of the river. RIOC began this process by cutting back half of these Inkberry plants in March 2020. This work was scheduled to be completed Thursday, July 9th.
In addition, tree pruning was also completed from the Ferry Landing north, to the south dog run, which was needed due to minimal visibility in that location.
Pruning is a horticultural and silvicultural practice involving the selective removal of certain parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Pruning is an invaluable tool for developing and maintaining woody plants.
New Roosevelt Island resident Greg Morales shares these pictures and reports:
I just moved to RI about a month ago and was really impressed with the quality of landscape maintenance around my building (Island House) and the buildings to the south. This past weekend I went for a walk on the northern end
and was kind of taken aback by how crumby it looked. I know if this was a City park, I could call 311 or the park manager for the council district but who do I call here? And especially about garbage in the rocks of the shoreline?
Does anyone do cleanup days of the shoreline?
Are there no rules about graffiti removal?
Inspections to see that weeds
are growing under the promenade benches?
I was particularly upset by the graffiti
on the Tom Otterness sculpture - less upset that it had been graffitied (that happens) but that it wasn't removed immediately and I'm sure others would be too if they knew. Must say the garbage on the rocks was the worst though,
just kept thinking about all of the plastic in the oceans.
A Roosevelt Island Octagon resident expressed concern yesterday:
... about the poor landscaping upkeep on the Octagon end of the island. The grass is very high in some parts, which doesnt make it pleasant for those walking their dogs. It can get very buggy.
There are also branches everywhere,
with some being piled along the tennis courts. I am not sure if RIOC did this or perhaps an Octagon tenant to help try cleaning up. The sidewalks are scattered with them and its hard to maneuver around them while walking through the tall grass with your pet.
It seems they started to cut the grass but then stopped and left piles of cut grass behind. Weeds are overgrown everywhere. It seems as though we are forgotten down here quite a bit.
Just a few weeks ago, I complained, along with our concierge 3-4 times within a 1- 1 1/2 week period to have a very large dead squirrel removed from near the tennis courts. I saw several children jump and scream after being startled by the dead animal. With the squirrel deaths last Fall, I found it to be disturbing and was frightened for people with their pets and children.
I have lived here for 5 years and never have seen it this bad. I have attached a couple photos. I was also wondering what is going on with the tennis courts. The nets have been down for a couple weeks. Perhaps RIOC thought that since tennis is out of order for a few weeks, upkeep of the surrounding area could be ignored??
I would like those visiting and those living here to once again see the beauty of Roosevelt Island.
The Octagon Resident adds today:
Ironically, they mowed the lawn today. However they have still not picked up the grass!
I think we can all agree that the rat problem at Tramway Park on the Manhattan side of the Tram needs immediate attention. To be clear, Tramway Park is the property of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. RIOC has no jurisdiction beyond working with the agency, which we are doing. Specifically, we have offered to help with extermination and we are exploring how we can supplement their other efforts to address the problem. For example, the Parks Department power-washes the Tram plaza once a week, which doesn’t seem to be enough to deter the rats. As a result, we are hiring a contractor who will provide additional power-washing services so that the plaza will be cleaner. The rat problem is clearly exacerbated by people feeding pigeons, which is illegal, so we are encouraging the Parks Department to increase enforcement in the area. We have also gotten indication that their extermination efforts will be stepped up. We will continue to monitor the situation and explore further action if necessary.
New and Improved Signage
The installation of way-finding signage is a priority for RIOC. We are in discussions with Hudson Related to install a network of informational and directional signage Island-wide. Additionally, we are in the process of redesigning our bus stop signage, which will improve the visibility of Red Bus stops.
Soon we will be offering Island merchants the opportunity to promote their businesses on the Tram monitors. This will also allow riders to see various retail options that are available before arriving on Roosevelt Island.
Summer Outdoor Movie Series
Roosevelt Island’s 2012 Summer Outdoor Movie Series begins on Saturday, June 30 at Southpoint Park with a screening of the 2011 blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger. This free series will feature family-friendly films on select evenings throughout the summer, including Grease (July 7), Tangled (July 20), The Help (July 21), The Lion King (August 4), and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (August 11). Each movie starts at 8:00 pm, but you can arrive at 7:00 pm for live music, movie-themed trivia, prizes, and other activities. And of course, there will be buttery popcorn, hotdogs and other goodies for sale. Admission is free, so bring a blanket or a chair, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Groundskeepers Learn New Strategies
RIOC’s groundskeepers will visit Central Park on June 18 to learn about the landscaping strategies and tactics behind one of the world’s most renowned urban parks. Earlier this year, members of Cornell’s groundskeeping team did a series of ten training sessions with our groundskeepers, aimed at teaching them the latest best practices in landscaping and environmental beautification. It’s all part of our effort to ensure that we’re making Roosevelt Island a gorgeous place to live and visit.
... our grounds and maintenance staff worked with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC Urban Environment Program to complete their second year of landscape horticultural training. The workshops included lessons on botany, plant and weed identification, soil and plant nutrition, turf management, and tree and shrub planting and pruning techniques.
Several members of our staff told me how much they enjoyed the training, and they’re looking forward to another season of Island beautification and maintenance.....
The Cornell Chronicle Online provided some more information last October on the Roosevelt Island Urban Environment program which:
... recently completed its second year of landscape horticultural training program with the RIOC grounds crew. These professional development sessions have included classroom and lab instruction on such topics as introduction to botany, plant and weed identification, soil and plant nutrition, and planting and maintenance of trees and shrubs.
"Prior to Cornell's involvement, many of our staff had limited training in horticulture, so this enabled them to do their jobs more effectively," said Michael Smith, RIOC parks and recreation manager. "We are very pleased with their new skills and the improvements we've seen."
This year, RIOC requested more specialized training, such as turf management -- assessment of soil conditions, diagnosis of turf diseases and insects -- and pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs. The instruction was given by extension educators via eight, four-hour guided, hands-on workshops during the period November 2010 to August 2011 that addressed real-life landscape needs; the instructors also provided onsite technical assistance....
Click here for the entire Cornell Chronicle article and here for more information on Cornell University's Urban Environment Program.
RIOC Groundskeepers With Cornell Coop NYC Urban Environment Program At Firefighters Field
In the 2/25/2011 report, Ms. Torres clearly states "We will manage to make final investments and open up Southpoint Park in the spring". Two weeks later (in the 3/11/2011 report), she casually slips in the phrase "slated for opening in mid-summer" in reference to Southpoint Park. It would have been appropriate for Ms. Torres to explain the delay, not just simply restate a new projected time frame. Delays are understandable; not keeping RI residents adequately informed is a disservice to the community.
I noticed that too and asked RIOC Vice President for Operations Fernando Martinez:
Can you advise why that portion of the park's opening has been pushed back from the spring, as planned earlier. to mid summer.
Mr. Martinez replied:
We recently had a kick-off meeting regarding the Wild Garden's/ Green Room project at South Point Park. The contractor presented an updated scope and associated schedule for the remaining work. The projected date of completion is mid-July. However, if the contractor finishes the work earlier than expected, then we will open the park sooner.
The 3/10 - 3/11 daily Public Safety Report also mentioned an incident at Southpoint Park.
Investigation- Unauthorized workers denied access to Four Freedoms Park.
Mr. Martinez explains what happened:
On occasion, individuals try to gain access to the job sites in order to speak to the foreman or contractor. The individuals are looking for work. Since the individuals are not authorized by the foreman or contractor, they are denied access.
Last Sunday, the Cornell University Department of Landscape Architecture School team led by Eden Gallanter presented the results of their study - The Roosevelt Island Renaissance Project - to a group of residents at the Good Shepherd Community Center. The purpose of the study was
a revisioning of Island open spaces with attention to safety, education and public health.
I was not able to attend but several of those who did were very impressed including this commenter:
Eden's presentation was excellent. She is very professional and it is a well thought out plan. It is also one that is a few small suggestions, not one master plan.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) Director Jonathan Kalkin who initiated the Study Tweeted:
Cornell U presents their Roosevelt Island Landscape and Park Design Study. Great Job!
For those not able to attend, Eden sent me the presentation to share with the community. Unfortunately, the study is quite large and had to be broken up into eight separate files. I hope that doesn't stop you from reading the whole thing. Cornell Landscaping Study Part 1
During the April meeting of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting a presentation (Copy Below) was made by the leader of a group of students from the Cornell Graduate Program In Landscape Design. The students are participating in a project initiated by Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) Director Jonathan Kalkin to help redesign Roosevelt Island's green spaces and pathways.
After several weeks of exploring Roosevelt Island, meeting with RIOC staff, RIRA members and other Roosevelt Island community leaders a preliminary plan was presented by the Cornell Landscaping team to the RIRA Common Council at the April meeting. The goal of the presentation was to receive comments, criticism and other feedback from RIRA members that the Cornell Landscape team can incorporate in a final Roosevelt Island Landscaping plan to be presented at the May RIRA meeting.
The initial plan presented at the April meeting envisions a 3 Phase Agenda including (Page 17 of the Presentation):
Phase One: Safe, ADA-compliant pedestrian circulation & community gardening
* Four greenways: four paths to improve existing pedestrian pathways
* Temporary greenhouse & nursery for container plants: partnership between residents, schools, & hospital for use
Phase Two: Expansion of Community Gardens and Public Plazas
* Construction of hardscapedplazas, community garden, and landscaping areas
Phase Three: Green Energy Projects
* Informed decisions about site-appropriate sources for energy– Informed decisions about site-appropriate sources for energy
* Agreement with power company on an energy cost reduction program for the whole island
* Installation of green energy projects
Among their proposals are (page 15)
Creating Plazas: Unify areas that contain several disconnected public spaces, using hardscaped, tree-lined plazas that can be used for performances, community events, and educational programs.
Redesigning for existing green spaces: Extend community gardens into Redesigning for existing green spaces: Extend community gardens into permanent locations; if a location is available temporarily, a greenhouse and nursery for container plants can be set up for residential, educational, and therapeutic use. Utilize disused spaces for stormwater-managing landscapes and/or native plant educational gardens.
The Cornell Group is seeking any additional feedback on their proposals (Page 19).
Do you have any questions about this preliminary plan? Are there any features of it that are especially exciting, or especially worrisome?
What do you feel are the best things about living on Roosevelt Island? What are the worst things about living here?
Any other comments? Things we have overlooked? Ideas you have for the island’s landscapes?
Click To Enlarge Image and tell your favorite Roosevelt Island places you like and dislike.
Remember these are preliminary proposals and a final plan will be presented at the RIRA May Meeting. Of course, none of these proposals are binding upon RIOC but are helpful suggestions.
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.
