Historical Walk - Update

It appears Roosevelt Island is getting closer to seeing new Historical Walk signs being posted around the Island. I have not yet seen what the new signs look like as Judy Berdy, President of the Historical Society, is still working on design issues regarding how the signs are manufactured. I did notice today that the broken sign that has been outside the subway station (picttured above) was finally removed presumably by RIOC.

The below slide show is of all of the signs existing as of this Summer. If anyone can confirm whether these other signs are still around or whether they have been removed that woud be appreciated.

As always the walk can be enjoyed electronically via its website linked HERE or via the photo button at the top right hand side bar of this blog. To see full size photos of any of these photos they can be found on my FLICKR set for the RI Walk.

The RI Historical Walk – An Update

A few weeks ago I posted about the status of the RI Historical Walk sign posted just South of the Subway station. Since then I discussed the Walk with both Judy Berdy of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and with Neil Tandon the creator of the Walk.

I believe from those conversations that there is a chance the Walk can be reborn. The RIHS is unsure whether they want to sponsor the Walk as previously posted, creating new and improved sign posts that will better withstand the elements (natural and those inflicted by man), or if they want to start from scratch.

I know when I spoke with Neil he was enthusiastic about the Walk being given new life but due to his own time constraints would not be able to devote significant time to this effort if at all. Neil did send me all of his images and instructions as to how the Walk was assembled so the source files could be used again.

The above picture if of the sole remaining sign found on the Northern part of the Island. This one is located just across from the Coler Hospital Campus on the Western Promenade heading North towards Lighthouse Park. The Lighthouse Park Historical Walk sign no longer exists and the only remnant is the metal sign (at top) indicating to the traveler that they are still on the Walk. I saw two of these. The first was just between Coler and the Octagon.

I have not yet visited the locations the Walk signs which were posted down by the Goldwater Hospital Campus on the East and West sides of the island to determine if those signs still exist.

If you are interested in participating in re-starting this project or interested in donating funds to this effort please feel free to drop me a line.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Walk – A Do It Yourself Walking Tour

These days if you passed one of the markers for the Roosevelt Island Historical Walk, a joint project between then Eagle Scout candidate and island resident Neal Tandon and the RI Historical Society, you would most likely wonder whether the marker was vandalized or just succumbed to the ravages of time. I look at these signs and see a project that needs revitalization. As a member of the RIHS I hope to encourage and participate in such a project.

When we first came to the island I knew little of its history and these signs and the associated website gave me a glimpse into the island’s past in little chunks that I found enjoyable and quite interesting.