After Last Sunday's Snow, Roosevelt Island Parents And Kids Told That Sledding Not Allowed On Cornell Tech Campus Hilltops - That's Not Very Neighborly, What's The Deal?

For the last several years, the Cornell Tech campus hilltops have become a favorite spot for Roosevelt Island kids and their families to go sledding after a snowstorm as shown here from a few weeks ago.

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But after last Sunday's snow, Roosevelt Island kids and parents expecting to enjoy another fun day of sledding were instead told by a security guard that sledding was not allowed on the Cornell Tech campus hilltops. 

According to one parent: 

... we are sledding right now and have been kindly inform by a Cornell employee that it’s not allowed and to move to the park...

and another parent adds:

The guy from Cornell explained that a kid had hurt his head against one of the lighting posts, blood everywhere, police was called... long story short, parents sued Cornell... and won. They were awarded $2.5 million.

Later on Sunday a third parent reported:

I'm at the Cornell Hills and there are lots of families sledding.

I asked Cornell Tech:

... Is this true? Will Cornell no longer allow sledding on the campus hills? Was there a lawsuit involving an injured child sledding on the Campus hill and a $2.5 million awarded for the child's injuries?

The Cornell Tech campus hills have been the “Go To” spot for Roosevelt Island kids and their families to enjoy snow days and sledding since at least 2021 when the Southtown snow hill was no longer available due to construction on Riverwalk building 8

Cornell Tech has been fully aware for years that the campus hills are used for sledding. Why is Cornell Tech not allowing sledding on the hills now?

Please let me know if there is any statement from Cornell Tech.

A Cornell Tech spokesperson replied:

Our policy against sledding on campus has not changed, and remains posted on seasonal signage near the hills. We also wish to clarify that Cornell Tech has never been party to lawsuit or settlement related to a sledding injury. We appreciate the understanding of our Roosevelt Island neighbors.

Also, in answer to your question, the reason for the sledding prohibition is safety.

What does this mean in terms of future sledding on the Cornell Tech campus hilltops? It's unclear, but if the policy has not changed and sledding has been going on for several years, why stop?

NYC Ballet Site Specific Dance Pieces Performed Inside Cornell Tech Buildings On Roosevelt Island Campus Showing Magnificent Manhattan Skyline Views - Watch And Enjoy

According to Cornell Tech: 

This summer Cornell Tech worked on a new collaboration with the New York Choreographic Institute, in which dancers from New York City Ballet performed site-specific ballet pieces all over campus, including along the majestic Manhattan skyline views on the top floors of several of academic buildings....

NYC Ballet's new dance film was shot at @cornell_tech with help from DLI Research Fellow Michael Byrne. Check out the video below, and read more about the making of the film here: https://t.co/bfq13HNsQj https://t.co/emrJE11Ilu

— Digital Life Initiative @ Cornell Tech (@dlicornelltech) August 26, 2021

The NYC Ballet adds:

In keeping with its more than two decade-long history of fostering and celebrating the work of international dancemakers, the New York Choreographic Institute held a partially-virtual summer session this past May. Though this marks the third session to be capped by the production of dance films, it was a “first” in many ways: The choreographers, Sophie Laplane and Alysa Pires, quarantined in Glasgow, Scotland, and Toronto, Canada, respectively, collaborated over Zoom with NYCB dancers who were finally able to gather in a shared studio space; and the films were produced on the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island, NY, through a unique alliance with Digital Life Initiative Research Fellow Michael Byrne. 

The resulting films represent the Institute’s ongoing commitment to the creation of new works as well as to the support of new ideas and new creative partnerships at the forefront of contemporary choreography....

Watch NYC Ballet performing at Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus.

 

Learn more from the artists making these films.

Watch Roosevelt Island Youngster's Video Review Of Sledding At Cornell Tech Slopes - It's Awesome For Sledding And You'll Have A Great Time

You don’t have to leave NY-12 to find some great sledding spots ! https://t.co/JzR3JtvYRB

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) February 6, 2021

The slopes at Roosevelt Island's Cornell Tech campus have become the go to place of many residents for fun in the snow. 

A Roosevelt Island youngster demonstrates and gives a thorough review of the sledding on three separate Cornell Tech campus slopes.

Watch and you'll be prepared for sledding at the next snowstorm.

After sledding, enoy a hot drink

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A post shared by The Cafe @ Cornell Tech (@thecafe_cornelltech)

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A post shared by The Cafe @ Cornell Tech (@thecafe_cornelltech)

at the Cornell Tech Cafe

Outdoor Patio.

Roosevelt Island Was A Winter Wonderland Today For Sledding On The Slopes Of Cornell Tech Campus Followed By Hot Drink From Cornell Cafe On Outdoor Patio - More Snow Coming On Sunday

 

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney agrees:

You don’t have to leave NY-12 to find some great sledding spots ! https://t.co/JzR3JtvYRB

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) February 6, 2021

And then some hot drinks from the Cornell Tech Cafe on the outdoor patio.

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Here is the latest update on the winter storm that will impact our area tomorrow! #NYCwx #NYwx #CTwx #NJwx pic.twitter.com/BQxfWGZ5Cu

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) February 6, 2021