RIOC Announces Preparations For Large Crowds Coming To Roosevelt Island For Cherry Blossom Season And Warmer Weather - Hosting Online Cherry Blossom Community Preparation Meeting Tuesday April 1, You're Invited To Give Feedback

The 2025 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom season has begun with trees blooming next to the Roosevelt Island bridge on the east side of Capobianco Field

but not yet in most other areas of Roosevelt Island. 

The blooming of the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms will bring back the hordes of tourists to Roosevelt Island with long lines for the Tram and overcrowded cabins. During yesterday's beautiful warm afternoon weather, we got a small taste of the long Tram lines to come as shown in screenshots from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Manhattan Tram station livestream cameras.

According to RIOC:

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

The warmer months always result in an uptick in visitor and pedestrian traffic to the island. With Cherry Blossom season fast approaching, the following controls have been activated and will remain in place through the end of April:

Overcrowding Safety Controls:

• Large crowds on the island will be managed by PSD officers with the assistance of the 114th Precinct.
• Parks will be monitored by PSD throughout the day. Please note that parks will close in the occurrence of overcrowding on the island.
• Additional signage will be placed near the entrances and exits of the Tram on the Manhattan side to help ensure an orderly travel process.

Transportation & Island Services:

NOTE: Please plan your travel accordingly. While delays in Tram travel are to be expected due to increased ridership, the Ferry is a viable option; the F-Train remains a quick and efficient option for travelling to and from the island.

Subway: F train service will run on normal weekend hours. Please plan your travel accordingly and visit mta.info/weekender or call 511 for more information. For electronic updates on F Train service, sign up for MTA Alerts at mymtaalerts.com.

Q102 Bus: The Q102 is also available to help riders traveling on and off Roosevelt Island. You can check the Q102 schedule here. 

RIOC Weekend Mini-Shuttle Buses to Manhattan: RIOC’s Transportation Department will once again run a Mini-Shuttle Bus from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan on weekends during the month of April. Shuttles will run hourly (traffic permitting) from 11AM to 7:30PM. The shuttle will depart at the top of every hour from the Roosevelt Island Tramway. The shuttle will then depart on the half hour from the Manhattan Tram station, from the corner of 60th Street and Second Avenue to the Tram. The last shuttle trips will depart from the Roosevelt Island Tram at 7 PM and Manhattan at 7:30 PM.

Tram: PSD officers will be present at each station. Passengers should plan accordingly as they may experience long lines. Before traveling, make sure to check the Tram cams on the RIOC website to see up to the second conditions at the Manhattan station: https://rioc.ny.gov/673/Roosevelt-Island-Tram-Station-Livestream

Ferry Service: Ferry service will run on normal weekend service hours. For schedule info, visit: Ferry.nyc

Vehicular Traffic: In the event of overcrowding, vehicular access to the island will be restricted to island residents and workers only. PSD and NYPD will be stationed at the entryway of the bridge (Vernon and 36th Ave.) to monitor and redirect, if needed.

Bicycles: Citations will be issued to any cyclist/motorized scooters who do not adhere to NYC bike laws.

Garbage Removal: There will be an increase in waste management this weekend to address any littering caused by overcrowding.

For more information, please call PSD at 212-832-4545.

A Long Time Roosevelt Island resident shares this message to RIOC Director of Communications and Community Affairs Bryant Daniels:

Is that Mini-Shuttle you refer to that same, awful, not completely barrier-free & accessible vehicle that looks like a truck? If it is, it is not usable for a variety of folks with physical challenges ... Why can’t RIOC use one of the Red Buses, especially now with 2 new buses (and the rest in pretty good condition). They are safe, barrier-free and accessible....

Mr Daniels replied:

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, it’s the shorter bus—taking a 40-footer off-island right now is a bad move. Maintaining Red Bus service on the island has to be the priority, and the amount of people who utilize this shuttle generally doesn’t exceed what the shorter bus can accommodate.

The shorter bus is also much easier to navigate for our drivers on Queens and Manhattan roads, and with the roadwork going on just off the island, that’s an important consideration, too.

I also think, generally speaking, we need to be thoughtful about not repeating history with the Red Buses. That’s a lot of extra wear and tear going off-island, just when we got our fleet back into shape.

Two of the buses are also about to have mid-life overhauls which will take them out of commission for a few weeks each.

RIOC adds:

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

Following the release of our 2025 Island Travel Advisory, RIOC will be hosting a special online community meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming Cherry Blossom season on the island. This online meeting will be held next Tuesday, April 1st at 6pm via Teams.

The meeting will include a discussion about operational adjustments made to help accommodate for the added foot-traffic to the island during the busy spring season, and will offer residents an opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions to RIOC leadership.

To join the meeting, simply click the link here: Join the meeting now

Thanks and we hope to see you then!

-Team RIOC

During the March 11 2025 RIOC Public Safety Department (PSD) Community Engagement meeting, Chief Kevin Brown spoke about how PSD will handle the large crowds at the Tram with the warmer weather arriving.

According to Chief Brown:

... Warm weather is coming. With the warm weather there's long lines at the Tram. We will be out there. Public Safety will  ensure that people are safe on the Tram. We've limited to 50 persons on the platform so that everybody can be safe....

... if you need the elevator for any reason you are allowed to take the  elevator. You don't have to prove that you're a certain age. Whoever you are, if you need the elevator you will be allowed to take the elevator and if anybody stops you tell them that you spoke to Chief Brown...

When asked, Chief Brown added that people will have to wait on the long line before using the elevator although PSD Officers have discretion to use "common sense" to allow some people to skip the line and go directly to the elevator.

Here are Chief Brown's full remarks on the subject from the 24 minute mark until 33 minute 50 second mark.

It's Begun, Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom All Over - Let's Go For A Virtual Walk To See And Enjoy

The 2024 Cherry Blossoms have started to bloom at various spots on Roosevelt Island. Let's go for a virtual walk and enjoy the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms seen today.

Cherry Blossom Tree Starting to Bloom On A Rainy Day at Roosevelt Island Starbucks Patio - More Will Come Soon

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Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom All Over - Let's Go For A Virtual Walk To See And Enjoy

The 2023 Cherry Blossoms have started to bloom at various spots on Roosevelt Island. Let's go for a virtual walk and enjoy the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms seen today.

Enjoy A Virtual Roosevelt Island 2022 Cherry Blossom Stroll On The East River Waterfront And Rooftop View Of Cherry Blossoms - Southpoint & FDR 4 Freedoms Park Tour Too

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms looked magnificent and were enjoyed by residents and visitors today.

Here's a rooftop view of the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms.

Also here's a walk thru Southpoint and FDR 4 Freedoms Park today.

Roosevelt Island 2022 Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom - And They Are Magnificent

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees first started to blossom two weeks ago on the East Promenade waterfront behind the Capobianco Field Basketball court and now are blossoming in the Riverwalk Commons.
I'm told the Cherry Trees on West Promenade across from the Cornell Tech Campus facing Manhattan have another couple of weeks until they fully blossom. 

Here's what they looked like in 2021.

First Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring - Cherry Trees Beginning To Blossom, It's The Loveliest Time Of The Year Says Matt Katz And Singer Tom Lehrer - 20 New Cherry Trees Planted Says RIHS President Judy Berdy

Yesterday was the first day of Spring and Roosevelt Island is starting to show signs of the nice weather soon to come with our Cherry Trees beginning to blossom as seen today on the East Promenade behind Capobianco Field and the basketball court.

Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz muses on the first day of Spring:

"Spring is here, spring is here; life is skittles and life is beer; I think the loveliest time of the year is the spring; I do; don't you? 'Course you do!"   

 

Today is the first day of spring and I, for one, have had a surfeit of winter.  My windows are open and my cats are on the windowsill sniffing the air and checking out the wildlife (and so am I).  

 

My apartment overlooks the Westview courtyard which is full of burgeoning trees, squirrels fresh out of hibernation and birds busy building nests.  There is a drain pipe just above and to the left of my bedroom window which, every year, is building central for a family of sparrows (or starlings, I'm not really sure).  I watch them bringing twigs for that purpose and hope that a rainstorm won't wash their efforts away.  

 

We awake, this time of year, to the calls of bird sentries assuring that no usurpers will attempt invading their space.  And the trees!  The buds seem to be bursting already and it's still March!  If I stare hard enough, the buds seem to be throbbing with the expectation of new leaves. In a month there will be fronds and by May the courtyard will be a forest, a jungle packed with urban critters to entice my pussycats (and me).  

 

Roosevelt Island does spring awfully well, doncha think?  

 

Our gardens come to life as do our playing fields.  Down coats are replaced by tee-shirts (Roosevelt Island Day tees, natch) and shorts.  

 

All we need to make this idyllic spot perfection is a shop selling made-to-order ice cream cones.  With sprinkles.  (Sigh).  

 

What I'm trying to say to my neighbors--new and old, friends and strangers, New Yorkers and from around the world-- is...Happy Spring!

    Matt Katz

    Proud Roosevelt Islander  

I asked Mr Katz:

Where did you get the quote about spring. 

Also, if your looking for some good ice cream, go over to the Cornell Cafe. They have great ice cream from their Ithaca campus in pint and half pint carton but sadly no cones. 

He replied: 

The quote is from my favorite Tom Lehrer song, "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" and it is as irreverent as the title suggests. I'll sing it next time I perform here. This was the concert title of a program at the 92nd Street Y, a parody song concert as part of their Lyrics and Lyricists series where I got to meet Tom Lehrer. A big thrill for me! 

 

Yeah, the Cornell ice cream is good but it's not really summer without two scoops of chocolate ice cream on a sugar cone, sprinkles discretionary. Goes back to childhood in Brooklyn, I suppose.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy adds: 

Soon, the Cherry Trees will blossom all over Roosevelt Island.  

From 2021.

But, the crowds will come:

Cherry blossoms reached peak bloom in our nation’s capital today, but here's where you can also check out the blossoms across the country: https://t.co/NYWiKUN0he
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
For us in #NYC, make sure to check out @BrooklynBotanic or take the tram over to Roosevelt Island.

— NY1 Weather (@NY1weather) March 21, 2022

UPDATE 1/22 - Cherry Trees starting to blossom on the East Promenade next to Cornell Tech Campus facing Queens too.

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Great View Of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Grove From Roosevelt Island Tram High Above Over East River

Never get tired of seeing this.

 

Click icon at bottom right of video for full screen view.

Saturday Afternoon 2021 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Walk

The NYC Walking Show visited Roosevelt Island to visit our Cherry Blossoms.

Come along for the walk.

Cherry Walk on Roosevelt Island. Brought to you by the Roosevelt Island Tourism Corporation*.

*Well, by me. I brought this video to you. pic.twitter.com/YGEP56UNxO

— Mor Naaman (@informor) April 10, 2021

And from Tuesday April 6.

UPDATE 4/12: Yesterday, I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown:

I’m told more than a dozen NYPD officers, and PSD officers, had to respond to large crowds at the West promenade near Cornell and Southpoint park viewing the Cherry Blossoms last night.

Is that true?

Were there any disturbances?

Any arrests?

RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith replied:

The beautiful day on Saturday drew crowds to the promenades to view our vibrant cherry blossoms that are in peak bloom in some areas of the island. Despite the plethora of revelers, PSD, in conjunction with the 114th Precinct, noted that it was a peaceful day enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom And They Are Gorgeous - Expect More Visitors Coming To See Cherry Blossoms

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom. And they are gorgeous.
Some enjoyed the Roosvelt Island Cherry Blossoms with a drink at the Cornell Tech Cafe outdoor patio

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A post shared by @rooseveltislander

And others celebrated a friend's birthday.

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A post shared by @rooseveltislander

Breaking: Cherry blossoms peaking on Roosevelt Island from now thru Thurs. Get out there! https://t.co/JkKrPmvxyA

— melodie bryant (@bikeloveny) April 6, 2021

it’s crazy how people are now noticing that Roosevelt island has the best cherry blossom trees in NYC.

— VZUS. (@VDB____) April 6, 2021

Is it a good thing for Roosevelt island to be attracting more visitors to view the Cherry Blossoms?

It's Snowing Pink Cherry Blossoms On Roosevelt Island Promenade

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse;

Roosevelt Island current weather conditions: Pink snow and strong wings on this last day of Pandemic April. @johndavittontv @ErickAdameOnTV @stacyanngooden #cherryblossom #rooseveltisland #eastriver #onenewyork #nyc pic.twitter.com/MQUtWJq0kL

— FinnYorker (@NYTTYTTYY) April 30, 2020

Some more Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom from this year.



More here.

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Past Their Peak But Some Still Blooming Beautifully On East River Promenade - Thankfully, No Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival Their Year, Watch Video To Relive The Dangerous Overcrowding

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms have peaked for the most part but some are still in bloom and are beautiful like these seen on the East River Promenade across from the Cornel Tech campus.



The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse shows us more of the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms

Read more »

Nature Oblivious To Coronavirus, Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Blooming - Take A Virtual Walk And Enjoy

Corona-dispatch from Roosevelt Island, NYC:
Nature,oblivious to virus, is singing out 4 joy here, w/the brightest display of cherry blossoms n d city. (Better,no ‘Cherry Blossom Festival’this yr.,so pesky gawkers from elsewhere are staying home in droves.) pic.twitter.com/9ZGWr9FveK

— Juana Bimba (@sirimba) April 5, 2020

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom earlier this week.

A pink dream on #rooseveltisland #cherryblossoms #eastriver #NYC #onenyc #isolationisland #NYCstrong pic.twitter.com/yBckU6INeJ

— FinnYorker (@NYTTYTTYY) April 8, 2020

Take a virtual walk on the promenade and enjoy.

Some Good News To Distract From Coronavirus And Stock Market Collapse - Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom, RIHS Cherry Blossom Tour April 18 And Cherry Blossom Festival Cancelled

And now for something different from the depressing and gloomy news about the Coronavirus and collapse of the Stock Market.

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom behind the Capobianco basketball courts

Read more »

Dead Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees Being Cut Down From West Promenade Near Cornell Tech Campus Starting Tomorrow - 20 New Cherry Trees Will Begin Being Planted Next Day To Replace Says RIOC

Cutting down trees is a big deal on Roosevelt Island - we love our trees.

Today, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC announced:

Beginning Tuesday, September 24th, RIOC will be removing dead cherry trees from the West Promenade near Cornell Tech. On September 25th, RIOC will begin installing twenty (20) new cherry trees. Please note the work will be performed by a contractor who will be staging small pieces of equipment near the site but will not block traffic. The contractor will also have safety provisions for pedestrians. Work is expected to be concluded on Friday, September 27th. This may be delayed by severe weather. All work will begin promptly at 7:00AM.

As always, if you see any unsafe working conditions, please advise PSD immediately by calling 212-832-4545 or by making a complaint via our Occupant Help Center

For more information, please visit our website.

Take a virtual walk thru the Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees on



West Promenade.

SPONSORED POST - Cafe @Cornell Tech Hosting Yakitori Grill For April 13 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival - Delicious Food, Spectacular Views, Can't Be Beat

The Cafe @Cornell Tech will be hosting a Yakitori Grill

with these menu items

Cornell Tech Cafe Sakura Festival

Yakitori Grill

Choice of Tare Glazed Yakitori

• Soy Ginger Marinated Chicken Thigh
• Spicy Chicken Meatball
• Marinated Tofu & Shishito Pepper

Served with Seasoned Sticky Rice & Japanese Pickled Vegetables

• Choice of Yakitori $6.00
• Beer      $5.00
• Limeade $2.00
• Yakitori & Limeade  $7.00
• Yakitori & Asahi    $10.00

during this Saturday's (April 13) Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.

 Image From RI Cherry Blossom Festival

The NYC East River views from the Cornell Tech Cafe will be spectacular as the Cherry Trees

are now just starting to blossom

Have a great time at the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.

Delayed Closing On Roosevelt Island Hudson Related Riverwalk Building 8 Affordable Housing Development Deal Among Agenda Items For RIOC Real Estate Committee November 7 Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee is meeting Wednesday, November 7. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:

• 1. Closing on Southtown Building 8
• 2. Wayfinding Signage
• 3. Damage to Cherry Blossom Trees from Cornell Construction
• 4. Any Other Committee Business that May be Brought Before the Committee

Hudson Related is the developer of Southtown a/k/a Riverwalk building 8

 and 9.

According to RIOC, Buildings 8 & 9 will have:

High Level of Affordability - H/R proposes building the two final buildings of the Southtown
Development in a package that delivers:

• a greater level of affordability for middle income and low income residents than provided by any of the previous Southtown buildings;
• affordability sustained over a period of 30 years, and in some cases, longer; and
• approximately 641 units at a mix of 53% market rate and 47% affordable housing – more than the 40% affordable required in the Southtown Development Agreement.

According to the minutes of the RIOC September 7, 2017 Board Meeting discussion of proposed deal (Page 5-6):

... General Counsel Flug noted that the developer agreed to give priority to Roosevelt Island residents in applying for affordable units in the new building if such priority is deemed to be in accordance with the law...

During the September 7 RIOC Board meeting, several RIOC Directors opposed the deal because they said they did not have sufficient time to review the terms of the agreement. But RIOC's CFO at the time, Kimberly Quinones said, according to the minutes (Page 5):

... in accordance with the provisions of the Public Authorities Accountability Act (PAAA), RIOC is required to take certain proposed measures at least ninety days before the closing, which must occur in late December to qualify for the New York City affordability program in question. As such the vote could not be postponed by more than a week or so. Mr. David Kramer, Principal at Hudson Companies, further elaborated on the timeline....

The agreement was approved but the closing did not occur in December 2017 as scheduled and still has not.

Hopefully, we'll learn more tomorrow.

Take A Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Tree Walk Along East River Promenade Next To Cornell Tech Campus

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. I took a Cherry Blossom Tree walk today along the West Promenade next to the East River and Cornell Tech campus. Come along.



The Cherry Trees are blooming right in time for tomorrow's annual Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.

Go to Roosevelt Island this weekend to gawk at the cherry blossoms. Stay for the incredible skyline views: https://t.co/jbxbDB0SzE pic.twitter.com/gPrVTsg7PR

— Time Out New York (@TimeOutNewYork) April 20, 2018

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom, They Will Be Gorgeous - And A Cherry Blossom Dress Too

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees are just starting to bloom.

Here's one at the Starbucks patio today

and Blackwell Park basketball court.

The cherry blossom trees at the basketball court on Roosevelt Island are in bloom. Mark your calendar for Sat. 4/21 @RICherryBloFest @riraonline pic.twitter.com/EC3sTT3sKO

— Janet L. Falk (@JanetLFalk) April 5, 2018

The best viewing of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms is on the West Promenade next to the Cornell Tech campus. They are not yet in bloom but will be soon. Here's what they looked like last April 8



and:

Miss Norway modeling this wonderful cherry blossom dress on Roosevelt Island (the Manhattan side), New York for the Avant Garde photo shoot. ❤️🌸🌸🌸#S4MW7CH3 @Sims4MissWorld pic.twitter.com/omuoc2sAd2

— CatsrMunge (@WMal13lol) April 4, 2018

Goodbye Beautiful Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms, Wonderful While It Lasted - See You Next Year

The Twitterverse reports end of the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom season.

🍃🌸End of the cherry blossom season on Roosevelt Island🌸🍃 pic.twitter.com/HfG5KC9h5o

— Noel Calingasan (@nyclovesnyc) May 6, 2017

The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms were beautiful while

Hanami time in #rooseveltisland #NYC 🌸🌸 pic.twitter.com/vL3YGJoQsy

— Gigi A (@gigi_nyc) April 22, 2017

they lasted.



The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms will be back next year.

Here's more pictures from 2017 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms.