Safety Issue at Grandpa Al Lewis Playground ?

Apparently something may have happened to the playground apparatus at Grandpa Al Lewis Playground here on Roosevelt Island to cause the unit to be partially taped off.

I have written Michael Smith, RIOC's Parks and Recreation Manager for details and will post them once I hear back from his office.

In the meantime I'd advise that if your kids frequent this park that they do so with adult supervision as I know my own kids would not let a little tape stop them from climbing on through this segment of the apparatus.

The State of the Playgrounds - 2008

Over the last two weeks we have visited each of the four main Roosevelt Island playgrounds (Riverwalk, Al Lewis, Manhattan Park and Octagon) and they all head into the Spring and Summer months looking pretty good. No word yet on the construction schedule or design of the former Castle playground just South of the Eastwood apartments and behind 504 Main Street.

Be aware that none of these playgrounds has a restroom although there are plans to install a prefab unit close to Capobianco Field which is next to Al Lewis and reasonably / somewhat close to Manhattan Park. For the Octagon and Riverwalk I'd suggest carrying a potette for real little ones who are potty training.

Starting from the North these are my comments and observations as a dad of two kids six years old and under:

The Octagon Playground
A gate has finally been installed that appears more rugged which will keep the kids from falling down the stairs that lead down to the daycare facillity. I don't last year's version being as nice. Similarly they have installed fencing which at least deters older children from climbing into the plants again leading down to the daycare center level. There is still one interior fence lock / latch that needs repair and each of the exterior latches is working well.

For those unfamiliar with this playground it is essentially two fenced playgrounds sharing a common "demilitarized zone" which includes the only bench seating and sandbox at the playground. One half is geared to 2 to 5 year olds and the other half towards 5 to 8 year olds.

This playground set in a wooded area behind the Octagon apartment complex enjoys great views of the East River facing Manhattan and has plenty of shade. It is probably the most relaxed of the playgrounds due to the setting.

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"Grandpa" Al Lewis Playground

Nothing new here to report. It is still the most open of the four main parks and probably the most used. It is the closest of any of the playgrounds to Main Street but is still far enough away that a watchful parent can catch a child before they get to close to traffic. It has two open entrances with no gates so with real little ones you need to pay attention. Older kids tend to get into games of tag here and need to reminded when little ones are around. But tobe truthful this playground is for the 5 - 10 set and not toddlers or younger.

At this playground you are at the center of the handball courts, basketball courts, and Capobianco Field as well as close to PS217 and the Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

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Manhattan Park Playground

This park was a wholly different park about 2 1/2 years ago and the reconstruction using the GameTime structure made the park a lot more enjoyable and safe. The old roller slides were not suited to young children and were dangerous to kids trying to walk up the slides.

I like this park due to the fact that in theory in has only one entrance / exit. I say in theory as there are two areas where the gating allows kids to scoot under or through to the outside which I wish could be sealed up. As compared to many City playgrounds this issue is not as great a concern as the exterior of the park does not affront a road or high traffic area.

This park has the best water views of Manhattan and of the Queensboro Bridge to the South. This park has no shade but for the shade of the buildings in the morning hours. So bring sunscreen for the kids as well as water for everyone.

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Riverwalk Toddler

This playground is like the Octagon playground the only other spot geared to toddlers and young children. The playground has the island's only swing set and includes two infant swings among the four provided. There are plenty of benches for parents and caregivers to sit on while the kids are playing. The only real drawback to the park is that when it gets hot the park has only a small section that enjoys any shade. If your kid likes digging the shady area is the section for it.

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The Spray-Grounds

There are actually two separate areas that fall under this description. The first is the stand alone cement sprayiground which sits between the Riverwalk playground and the Blackwell House basketball courts. This is one of the most popular areas most kids come to when the heat starts. It has plenty of shade and when the drain is "stopped" up it turns into a wading pool. The grounds crew officially frowns on this practice but it doesn't stop the kids from creating the wading pool several times a day.

The second spray-grounds are those directly adjacent to the former Castle playground location. This area is built as a wading pool but as with the earlier site the composition is all cement and kids of all ages should be watched and take care not to get rowdy or else the damage if an errant fall takes place could be painful.

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The Most Popular Roosevelt Island Playground: Grandpa Al Lewis

Roosevelt Island’s most popular playground does not have swings, it’s smaller than all the other playgrounds and because it has two non-gated exits parents or caregivers need to watch their child a little closer to make sure they don’t run out of it. Which playground am I talking about? The Grandpa Al Lewis Playground.

I don’t know the full history of how the playground came to be named after Grandpa only that it was named for him in the Fall of 2005 before he passed away in February 2006. I am also unsure what prompted this playground to be so honored. Either way the honor binds his name to a location that every kid on the Island knows and will generally pick above the other playgrounds.

First off let me first say this playground is not built for toddlers and unless school is in session I would not suggest letting a toddler wander through Al Lewis unattended or without your being very close by. The average age in the park runs from 4 / 5 year old through pre-teens who can at times be all running through playing chase, base, or whatever other games are now the rage.

The equipment by Game-Time includes a spiral slide, a double slide suited for younger children, as well as a number of features that encourage climbing. There is a wheel that has fascinated most of the kids I have seen encounter it where they all want to push pine needled into the wheels cavity which I am sure the manufacturer did not expect or plan for. Again as the equipment has several differing levels young children must be monitored as they are a number of locations / gaps where an unattended small child can fall.

The kids love this playground and on a Saturday morning or after school when there is no snow on the ground it’s rare that no kids are hanging around. The playground is centrally located on Main Street across from PS 217 and is bounded by Capobianco Field, the Paddle Ball Courts, and beyond the picnic tables the basketball court. For adults the playground offers four lengthy benches which are much appreciated by every adult I know who has visited this park as getting your charge to leave is never easy and if you have to wait “another five minutes” you might as well wait sitting down.

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If I had to characterize each of the island's other playgrounds it would be as follows:

The Octagon - Most Scenic - Great rock climbing walls & two defined play structures (one specifically for the younger set) - Four benches but in the gated area between playground sections (not great for those quick need to catch / hold them moments. Newest and largest structures.

Manhattan Park - Best View of Manhattan - No sun protection on a sunny day, best in the AM before the sun rises over the adjoining buildings. Great slat bridge and a cute built in piano complete with four number coded tunes. Plenty of slides. One or two adult benches. Watch out for the child exit "hole" at the park's North end. Stairs left over from prior park designs - annoying when with strollers. They need to open up water side gate and close the current gate.

Riverwalk - Best for Toddlers - The only park with swings (2 baby, 2 standard) - Also best park for toddler digging area by the trees. Four adult benches. View of Keyspan not too inviting but great view of 59th Street Bridge.

There are also two or three other small playgrounds which are known more as apartment defined which generaly parents don't seek out unless you live in taht building. Two are adjoining to Manhattan Park buildings. One of which is by a garbage area which makes no sense. The last stand alone playground is within the Island House courtyard.

The Eastwood Castle Playground - slated for demolition - Great visual design but the cement construction lent itself to plenty of scrapes and bruises. The adjoining hybrid wood playground equipment was situated to close and kids in the past coming off the Castle's wide slide would slam into the apparatus. Once demolished RIOC is planning to install a Game-Time apparatus of yet unknown design and theme. The sprayground is expected to remain.

The Former Lillies School Playground (between the Castle and Main Street) - The two pieces of aparatus in this small area should be demolished. They are not kept up and invariably due to flooding always have puddles of sitting water nearby. The wall surrounding this equipment does not allow parents or children a clear view into or out of the area.