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.

Caution: Playground under Construction Despite Access

I went down to the new Roosevelt Island playground (former Castle playground site) that is behind / between Blackwell House and Eastwood and noted that while the site is obviously not complete that the fencing is horribly insufficient to prevent children from playing on the site exposing them to risk of injury.

While I was there a group of kids ran through and they themselves moved the portable fencing (as shown below) allowing greater access to the site.

There currently are exposed cement edge surfaces by the tables (which themselves are not yet anchored properly) that pose risks in addition to the small mountain of loose wood chips that is sitting along side of the new climbing apparatus just waiting for kids to slide under the unfinished structure. As well as several holes that have yet to be filled in completely.

I will admit I am also concerned how close the play area comes to the water / sprayground area. I would have hoped for some sort of buffer area. It is also unclear as to whether the wood chips will be the final play surface or wehther some sort of rubberized cushion surface wil be installed on top of the wood chips. Was thrilled to see the new swings though.

I have made an inquiry into RIOC to see if the site can be better secured in the period before it is completed and rated as safe for the island's kids. Makes no sense that it was left this open.

New Blackwell Park Playground Design

For several months now the former location of the Roosevelt Island "Castle Playground" just South of Eastwood / Roosevelt Landings and just Northeast of Blackwell House has been sitting empty behind steel fencing. Sometime in the last few weeks RIOC posted consruction info regarding the new park to be built there with images of the newly designed park.

The design is standard playground design with nothing truly new as compared to either of the other four larger island playgrounds but if it is buit by Spring who are we to complain. We will miss the distinctiveness of the former Castle Playground but not the cement hazards.

My understanding is that Nikki Leopold of Island Kids was involved in the design process, at least an earlier point in the process. No confirmation who the final design team included. No word yet from RIOC, in response to my emails, as to how physically the equipment pictured will be laid out on the ground.

Update: Status of Former "Castle" Playground Site

The following response was received in regard to my recent inquiry about the former Roosevelt Island playground:

To: RooseveltIsland360@gmail.com
Date: Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Subject: Former "Castle" Playground

Eric,

For the past 8 months or so RIOC was working with Island Kids and KaBoom on developing a new playground for the site. KaBoom is anational non-profit organization whose mission is to identify potential playground sites and marry localities with corporate sponsors for the construction of playgrounds. The Blackwell Playground was selected as asite.

The site was prepped for a new playground by RIOC maintenance and grounds staff, and the installation for a new playground was scheduled for early June. However, at the eleventh hour the corporate sponsor backed out. We do not know who the sponsor was or their reason for backing out. KaBoom has made attempts to identify a new corporate sponsor, but RIOC has decided to proceed with the installation of a new playground without the assistance of any third party sponsorship.

A retaining wall was recently installed, and we hope to start work on a new playground by early Fall 2008.

Fernando Martinez
Vice President for Operations
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

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Prior to the old "Castle" playground a wooden playground configuration sat at the same site:

Mystery Photo: Which Playground?

Can you tell what playground on Roosevelt Island this photo was taken in? The photo is by Catherine Grieco and be can be found on Flickr HERE.

Hint: Per Ms. Grieco, the photographer, the photo was taken in the mid 1990's.

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 Castle Playground Exists No More

It was long in coming but the demolition of the old castle playground just South of the Eastwood apartment complex on Roosevelt Island has taken place.

So in memory of that playground here is one more look at it before it was demolished and is looked today. And for those that remember the old wooden playground that preceded the castle design a single picture from that time.

I know the plans are to build a new playground using the Playtime company which is used at most of the other playgrounds on the island but I would not mind bringing back something like the old wooden playground which I think would have more character than the modern equivalents whicha ll tend to look and feel the same.

Temp. Hits 50˚ Time to Talk Playgrounds

The temperature has been hitting 50˚ and this weekend we push the clocks ahead one hour. Spring is in the air so it is time I start posting about the state of Roosevelt Island’s playgrounds.

I must admit I have not made the rounds yet of the 4 major playgrounds (Riverwalk, Al Lewis, Manhattan Park, or the Octagon) so I can not say yet what needs repair or replacement and to be fair to entities responsible for each they probably have not yet scheduled their yearly pre-season maintenance.

So what am I left to discuss? My continuing obsession whether the planned Riverwalk building to sit opposite current 475 Main Street will result in the demolition of the current toddler playground and if so whether that playground would again be built subsequent to that building’s completion and if so where?

Based on the aerial picture above of the site I still don’t believe the playground can survive despite assurances that it will. My bet is still that after the former Castle playground is demolished (has it been yet?) and rebuilt that it is seen as providing sufficient coverage for kids living in Southtown. My problem with that answer is that the current Riverwalk playground is specifically built for toddlers and the Castle playground site has always been for older kids.
So the story continues.

What would be your playground wish list for Roosevelt Island ?

Riverwalk Buildings 5 & 6 to Top Out This Week

As reported in weekend's Main Street WIRE, construction on the newest Riverwalk buildings is expected to "top out" this week. Pretty wild as it seems like yesterday that these two buildings were even began.

Now I get to see if they start the next buildings (#s 7, 8, and 9)up by Firefighter's Field or down by the Playground and if the playground will survive. If the playgrounds does survive perhaps they can fence off the constuction area with enough space as they did between 425 and the current construction site.

Relocating Public Safety Too Close to Youth Program, Playgrounds?

The following is an e-mail exchange I had yesterday with Steve Shane, the President of RIOC, concerning the relocation of Public Safety from its current location to 504 Main Street, the former Christian Lillies School. I had learned of the planned relocation from a recent blog post on the Roosevelt Islander.

After reading the response I received I feel better about the idea, I still have reservations, but will be looking to see if the community’s has any additional reactions to the plan. I am also not exactly sure where the public safety vehicles will be parked if not on Main Street. I expect and hope no part of Blackwell Plaza will be sacrificed to a parking lot. I also am assuming the entrance for any "apprehended persons" will be at the rear / side entrance of the building.

Dear Mr. Shane:

Upon learning of the possible relocation of Public Safety to 504 Main Street I wanted to ask what consideration was given to the fact that this location adjoins the Youth Center and that there is a public playground / sprayground directly behind it?

Upon reading of the need to create "holding cells" and the obvious increase in car and scooter traffc I have concerns regarding the proximity of all this activity to the sland's children.

Thank you.

The response I received (within an hour of my inquiry) from Mr. Shane:

On balance, and in consultation with the director of the Youth Center, we think it a good idea. The proximity of a public safety office to a youth activity is the underlying foundation of PAL activities. The opportunity to get the public safety vehicles off the street (relieving the much discussed congestion), eliminating the need for publicly parading any apprehended persons through a Main Street entrance, creating a much, much better environment for both visitors and employees (the present facility approaches appalling), central location with the build out of Southtown, etc., were all factors considered. The existing playground and sprayground will not be impacted, other than to be sure that safety concerns are carefully met by appropriate barriers. The architectural study to realize the programmatic goals has not yet been undertaken, but will, of course, consider the various other issues and in any event, will be available to be thoroughly vetted by the community.

Stephen H. Shane
President & CEO
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

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.

Riverwalk Playground Gate Latch Fixed

The above photo of the Riverwalk Playground gate was taken yesterday showing a brand new latch on the exterior of the gate entrance. The photo below was taken on September 14th showing a broken lock which I shot and published here on September 15th. I thank RIOC for replacing the broken lock. I am unsure when this new lock was installed as I have not been at this park in the last two weeks.



The folks at the Octagon should take a lesson here in replacing a latch fully rather than the history of the latch replacement up there where cheap fixes included soldering new over old.

I am not claiming this blog caused the Riverwalk lock to be fixed but I do promise to keep a watch out to see if this lock lasts. I will admit I liked the last design as it included a gate toping mechanism which many of the smaller kids could not reach or manipulate. I recall being a kid and getting this latch type to open when my mom was not looking. But it’s a working latch so I should not complain anymore (for now).

1980 Roosevelt Island Documentary

This video is great. I applaud rcortell1 for posting this video on YouTube. This is great historical stuff about life on the island in the early years after this version of the island was reborn. I want more of these videos. Just great stuff.

Direct YouTube Link by rcortell1

The Octagon Playground: The Good & The Bad

Today I walked with my kids up from the Church of the Good Shepherd all the way up to the Octagon and back. I was quite amazed they did so well. Our goal was to play at the Octagon playground which they enjoy.

The structure at the Octagon playground is by the Gametime company that RIOC’s Donna Masly indicated is involved with the design and eventual reconstruction of the new playground which will be replacing the Castle playground (currently gated off). They are also the builders of the playground apparatus at the Grandpa Al Lewis playground, the Riverwalk toddler playground, and perhaps at Manhattan Park (I don’t recall on this one). I am a bit concerned that having one manufacturer will prevent these parks from having any individual character but so far the kids are not complaining.



THe above video shows the viewer the settng the playground is surrounded by. The video was shot from atop the tallest structure in the playground. From the playground you can see the East River. the Prow, the Dayspring Church and of course the Octagon complex itself. On Sunday mornings you can enjoy the singing coming from the Church.

It’s a nice two part playground with a rock climbing theme on one side, designed for 5 year olds and up, and a mixed boat theme on the side built for 3 to 5 year olds. The “younger” side is used by the Bright Horizon’s Day Care center located at the Octagon which accounts partially for the Stalag 17 gates separating the two sides. But you wonder did the center fences have to be built so high?



Another issue at this park, and a pet peeve of mine as evidenced by recent posts, is in regard to gate locks. Two of the internal locks (between the play areas and the central bench area) are either shot or non-existent and one exterior lock (from this center bench area to the street) of the same design no longer lines up between the bolt and the mechanism. According to one resident parent it appears that the management company rather than having a real locksmith look at these locks is simply having a non-professional solder on some additional metal each time with the hope of getting by.





All I can say is parents don’t appreciate this but at the moment they don’t seem to be able to get management to do anything about it. I am not sure if RIOC has any power here. I am also not sure if an insurance liability issue can be raised but its just plain shoddy and could result in another Bright Horizon’s child getting loose and this time lead to a lawsuit (which did not happen at the Riverwalk MSKCC when this happened to them).

I did not intend this to become a playground review and critique but as a parent of kids who live and play here it was bound to happen (and will continue to do so).

Riverwalk Toddler Playground: (2) It’s History

I know in earlier posts I reported that RIOC engineers determined that this playground should safely escape being lost due to construction. And I accepted their opinion without question but today while standing at the back fence at looking at how it lines up with the sales office, it's circular driveway, and the 475 Main Street building I don’t see how their review can hold up. Based on the rendering above the building in the foreground to my reckoning will be sitting directly on the site where the current playground is. Maybe I am missing something but I think I am right. Maybe they will move it but I still don't see where.

Riverwalk Toddler Playground: (1) Fix the Gate

Ok, I am back on my Riverwalk Toddler playground obsession. In short the gate is broken again. I left a message at RIOC Facility Operations as I understand they are responsible for the maintenance on the park.

The picture above is of the gate from earlier today. If you have not been to the park in some time you may notice that the mechanism is now at the top and no longer in the middle of the gate. Without getting into great detail apparently the teachers at the MSKCC Day Care Facility had their kids in the park one morning and a child got out without their knowing and even made it up to the street before the escape was noticed. For all concerned it ended with the child being found and returned safely but the lock was quickly changed.

What I am hoping is that the same quick service will result in the lock now being FIXED. But alas my wife tells me that the lock has been broken for at least a couple of weeks which gets me worried. I can understand parts being on order but when there are kids involved extra parts should always be in stock. Especially when there has already been an incident of a child who figured out how to escape.

Update: The Castle Playground & Octagon Soccer Field

Sometime in the next year expect to see the Castle Playground demolished in order for RIOC to build a new playground. According to RIOC they are working with the Gametime to design a new playground.



My understanding is that the deal RIOC is hoping to close will include new Astroturf for the Octagon Soccer field. According to a few residents I spoke with by having Astroturf it would allow RIOC to try to rent out the field on a higher level to various group leagues and schools.



I have not heard yet if the final design of the soon to be former Castle Playground has been decided. I do know that the current sandbox design was slated for removal which is a relief. While it did provide a large digging area you never knew what your kids would find buried. Sanitary it was not by any means.

It is my understanding that the water feature currently enjoyed by our children will be removed which in my opinion is a shame. Like many parents we always knew the cement was something we had to watch our kids around but the water made for a great wading pool for toddlers. When I hear more about the final design I will post it here.

Update (09-11-07):

I was informed this morning by Donna Masly from RIOC Program Services that both "spraygrounds" the one pictured above (between the Castle and the water) and the one between the basketball courts and the Riverwalk playground (behind Blackwell House) will NOT be removed. In fact during Phase 2 of the playground renovation each will be improved. Very very cool. Thanks Donna!

Riverwalk Playground: Believed Safe for Now

According to Donna Masly, of RIOC’s Program Services group, the “Riverwalk” toddler playground appears to not be slated for Related’s wrecking ball when the last three Southtown buildings begin to be built on the Eastern side of Main Street. Ms. Masley’s belief is based on her conferring with RIOC’s resident engineering staff. The engineer stressed to Ms. Masley that it is his belief the playground is safe for the immediate future but that could change.

Once construction begins we will see what happens but for now our swing loving babies and toddlers can rest easy for perhaps nine months before the two current buildings are completed. My bet is Related starts any new buildings closest to the toddler playground based on their track record on the Western side of Main Street but this is purely a guess. If we are lucky and the site is close to the playground perhaps all the heavy work, causing the playground to be blocked off, would be in the Winter months. Again this is all conjecture.

Thank you Donna for the update.

8/4 - A Hot Day for More Than Just Roosevelt Island's Human Residents

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August 4th was a hot day to be out in the sun on Roosevelt Island so we retreated from the Southtown toddler park to the shade and cool water of the sprinklers behind Blackwell House. While there we ran into a little dog named Izzy who needed cooling off as much as we did. He just got into the water and decided to chill out. We're not saying we want every local dog to join in our fun. For health reasons alone it would not be a good idea but we empathized with this little guy and just had to take his picture to remember him by.

Stay cool Izzy !

Will we lose the “Riverwalk” toddler playground to construction of a Riverwalk building?

Again, I look at a lot of the infrastructure and facilities of Roosevelt Island from the vantage point of raising young children here. Certainly it was the defined nature and openness of the island that helped draw us to moving to the island.

When The Main Street Wire first ran a map outlining the full footprint of the Riverwalk buildings in Southtown I became concerned about whether the only true toddler playground with swings will become history and be lost to one of the last three buildings expected to be constructed next year. Granted we are at a minimum of 9 plus months away from anything actually happening but questions shoudl always be asked early.

Again this may seem trivial compared to other matters of importance on Roosevelt Island but if the island expects to draw more young families or expect them to stay schools and playgrounds are high in importance to these families.

I have posed the question to RIOC and expect to do the same with The Related Companies. I am unsure whether RIOC funds or Related funds were used to build this playground but if the cash was from Related and after they sell their buildings using the playground as a selling point its destruction due to a building would be a bait and switch where our kids will be the loser.

I am hoping the playground will survive and this column was written for nothing. But unless residents make noise about their concerns don’t be surprised if things you take for granted are gone one day.

8/6 Update: I have added the rendering of the completed Riverwalk complex showing by the red arrow where the park sits currently.