Come Help Plan The Future Of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park - You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting 6:00 PM Thursday April 28

Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports:

In March 2016, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation initiated a one-year project to develop a Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space. The project’s significant public engagement effort kicks off on Thursday, April 28th with the initial meeting of the Community Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street, lower level) at 6:30 PM. The Community Advisory Committee has representatives from over 20 organizations on Roosevelt Island. The committee is scheduled to meet four times during the project, providing advice and input throughout. The project will also involve an extensive community engagement effort, which will include 1) outreach efforts at upcoming island Spring events 2) a series of public meetings and workshops; 3) a website, and 4) an online survey. The public is invited to attend the Community Advisory Committee meetings and observe the presentations, discussions, and activities with the Committee members. There will be a designated time at the end of the meeting for public comments. In addition, there will also be comment forms available for public attendees to submit their questions/comments in writing. We hope to see you there.

The RIOC Board of Directors Real Estate Development Advisory committee met last evening and discussed plans for the April 28 meeting (full audio web cast of meeting here).

Initially, the consultant facilitator (Fitzgerald & Halliday) hired by RIOC and RIOC staff would not allow members of the Roosevelt Island public who were not invited to join the Community Advisory Committee to attend the April 28 meeting.

However, after RIOC Director Margie Smith objected to this exclusion of the Roosevelt Island public,  RIOC Acting President Susan Rosenthal overruled the staff decision and invited the public to attend the meeting.

Here's the discussion.



You can take a video tour of the August 2,2011 Grand Opening of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park here.

UPDATE 4/28 - According to RIOC:

Please note there is a time change for the first public engagement session tonight. It will be held at 6 PM, Thursday, April 28th.

Take A Walk Thru Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park This Weekend - It's Open Daily From 6 AM - 9 PM

Southpoint Park Dedication Sign (Click on Image to Enlarge)

As reported in post earlier this week, Roosevelt Island's East River waterfront Southpoint Park is open again for the public to enjoy.  During this weekend, why not take a walk down to the park,  have a look around and let us know what you think of it.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued the following advisory regarding the use of the park:

Please be advised Southpoint Park is now open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Sanitary facilities and water fountains are located in the Park.  There are no barbeque areas and outside grills are prohibited.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares her thoughts and some pictures from opening day at the new Southpoint Park.

Southpoint Park opened today after years in the works. I stopped by briefly to see what has materialized from mounds of debris and acres of weeds.

Image of Southpoint Park Rendering From RIOC Record (Page 12)

The approximately 7 acre park weaves south from the gate just south of Goldwater Hospital to the southern end of the Smallpox Hospital. The FDR Four Freedoms Park site is south and will open late in 2012.

Image from FDR Four Freedoms Park

Just outside the east gates and inside the west gates are cast iron columns

salvaged from the City Hospital, which was on the site.

The stone walls (Fordham Gneiss quarried on the Island and salvaged from the City Hospital form a serpentine low winding bench and/or fence thru most of the park area.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Thanks to Alyce Russo, former RIOC Director of Planning for having the stones stored for future use.

Unfortunately the first structure you see is the comfort station, in blue and gray, two colors that have no relation to anything on Roosevelt Island. It is super size and great for school and camp groups.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Wide asphalt paved roads and paths make it easy for vehicles to use the roads. They seem a little wide and overwhelming in some areas.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The hills, which cover tons of rocks now are gently sloping downwards which kids and teens seemed to love and run up and down them.

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The plantings are mostly wild flowers and black eyed Susan's.

 

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

No fancy lawns or gardens here.

Interspaced in the hills are remnants from the old hospital entrance

 Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

including an orb

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

that once signified the entrance to the Maternity Hospital on the site.

The cul-de-sac that will eventually include the FDR Hope Memorial

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

has a lovely grove of trees surrounding it and overlooking the Smallpox Hospital.

The landmark Smallpox Hospital (Not Renwick Ruin) is surrounded by a high fence and unfortunately the weeds and debris has not been removed from around it.

 

Images From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

This is a pity, since the building should be the showpiece of the park. Hopefully this will be remedied soon.

The landmark Strecker Memorial Laboratory just northeast shines with its wonderful restoration and it is pleasantly placed in a setting befitting this lovely structure.

 

Image From Brian Blazak of Roosevelt Island Historical Society

It is not a cafe, but a power conversion station for the F and M subway lines. Perhaps it is the perfect site for a few tables and a Cappucino Cart.

Modern steel benches dot the area. They look out of place and a bit to modern for the classic site.

It is wonderful to watch the River from paths that were blocked by debris and overgrown vegetation for years.

This may not be the High Line, but it is our new connection to the River and our southern tip. Considering all the convolutions the park went thru, I am glad it is finally here!

For information on the landmark Smallpox Hospital and Strecker Laboratory go to www.rihs.us.

The full opening day Southpoint Park photo album from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society is here.

More on Southpoint Park Grand Opening and tour here.

The images not credited to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society were taken today to illustrate some of Ms. Berdy's comments or otherwise credited.

UPDATE 8/6 - The aerial view of Southpoint Park and FDR Memorial image were added to text today.

Scenes From the Grand Re-Opening of Roosevelt Island's New Southpoint Park - A Great New East River Waterfront Park For New York City

 View Of East River/NYC Skyline From Roosevelt Island's New Southpoint Park

As reported in previous post, today was the Grand Re-Opening of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park. Not willing to wait for the official 9 AM Park opening ceremony to take place, some biker riders and joggers got a taste of the new Southpoint Park a bit early.

Here what happened at the Grand Opening Ceremony and a peek at the new Southpoint Park.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres welcomed those in attendance and thanked those responsible for developing the Park



followed by New York City Council Member Jessica Lappin who gave a brief recap of the Project's history. Ms Lappin secured $4.5 million in NYC funding to help build the park.



Andy Stone, from the Trust For The Public Land (TPL), then spoke about TPL's role in developing Southpoint Park's Master Plan together with Roosevelt Island residents in order to bring more green and open space to the Island.



RIOC Director David Kraut wanted to make sure that among those being thanked for the contribution to the park's development was a former resident, Shirley Margolin.



TPL's Andy Stone then led a tour of the new park.







Some more scenes from the new Southpoint Park.



I think all those who attended the Grand Opening Ceremony were very happy that Southpoint Park has opened as will future visitors to this new East River Waterfront Park. Southpoint Park will be open from 6 AM - 9PM.

Not all of Southpoint Park is open to the public just yet. Construction is still going on at the Louis Kahn/FDR Memorial Boondoggle just south of the newly opened Southpoint Park and is expected to continue for a couple of more years.  Here are the latest renderings.

Images are from FDR Four Freedoms Park

Unfortunately, it looks more like a cemetery to me than a waterfront park. What a pity that TPL's Master Plan for all of Southpoint Park, (including the area of what is now the location for the Kahn/FDR Boondoggle) was not accomplished.