ICAHN STADIUM

As of OCTOBER 2007

NEWS FROM THE FIELDS


WATERPARK PROJECT CANCELLED

On Friday, September 21, the City sent a notice of cancellation under its agreement with Randall’s Island Aquatic Leisure (Aquatic Development Group) for a proposed Waterpark on Randall’s Island. Although RISF worked closely with the Parks Department, the developer, and the community to bring this high-profile project to the City and anticipated it would provide recreational enjoyment for neighboring families, and important revenues for the Park, the project was cancelled when the developer failed to meet the deadline for securing written financial commitments for total project funding.

Both RISF and Parks will work with local community boards, elected officials and park users to explore other options for the proposed Waterpark site. Our sports field development project and important Park infrastructure upgrades continue as planned and on schedule.


CAREFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED: CONCERTS & CONSTRUCTION

Randall’s Island is a popular City destination for major concerts, entertainment such as Cirque du Soleil, and sporting events. Hosting these events for the enjoyment of New Yorkers at the Island is among its many historic uses, but working around the current construction can be a challenge. Though we seek to strike a balance between construction and Island events, over the next 22 months, Island visitors may encounter detours because our roads and utilities are being developed and rehabilitated.

Since construction began this past May, the Island has welcomed a number of City-wide special events including, most recently, the 20th FarmAid Concert. Running through October, these high profile events attract huge audiences to the Island. We have worked to reduce the impact of construction on these activities and the safety and convenience of participants. When construction threatens to impact the grounds -- such as limiting access to the southern end of the Island for the Fourth of July fireworks viewing --signs will be posted directing Park visitors to the correct and safest route.


CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

In News from the Fields we keep you updated on the monthly progress of construction on the Island. While development is moving forward on the East River, Sunken Garden and Central Fields, at this moment the utilities are where the current action is. Installation of new electrical utilities is continuing throughout the Island, almost all of the nearly 90 new electrical manholes on the Island have been installed and in addition over 8,000 feet of new water mains are installed, representing over 34% of the total water main on the project.

Once rough grading has been completed on the East River Fields, the new underground utilities will be installed. These utilities will feed the new lighted fields and irrigation systems. Even at night, the lights will let us see just how green the well irrigated fields are!

As always the safety of those working on and visiting the Island is everyone’s number one priority. Those walking and driving on the Island should always follow posted detour and safety signage.


SPRING 2008 SEASON

In the spring of 2008, as work on Sunken Meadow begins, it will be necessary to take all bat and ball fields off line. They will remain off line until the spring 2009 season. The Parks Department is working to identify alternative playing fields for displaced Randall’s Island permit holders. We must ask all our permit holders to be patient and have reasonable expectations, as it will not be possible to replace dozens of ballfields and thousand of permitted hours of play easily.

RISF has been approached by several of our Parks users asking our assistance in finding temporary fields during this transition. In response to these requests, NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe is mailing a “Ballfields Need Form” to everyone who received a permit for Randall’s Island in the last year. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you to identify, where we can, alternative fields for your games.

[hr]Would you like to join our mailing list to get the latest information? Email us at sportsfields@risf.org to get the latest and most up to date information![hr]