With so much attention over cherry blossoms and Tram tourist rides, Lighthouse Park and the north end of Roosevelt Island seem forgotten. But things, however unnoticed, are changing, and it’s almost all positive. Let’s take a look.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The Wildside of Lighthouse Park
On a cloudy day, the first noticeable change is the healing. The area given over to RIOC for expanding Lighthous Park along the East Promenade has been cleaned up. The piles of rubbish and discarded Chrismas trees are gone.
While Coler works through a plan for a berm against East River flooding, no development has started, but it’s no longer an embarrassing dumping ground. One thing, though… Two of three much needed public toilets at the park entrance are locked. What’s the point of that?
But immediately inside is a treat for anyone appreciating nature’s designs as RIOC has allowed wild grasses to grow among a small forest of young trees. With the urban forest recently planted in Southpoint Park, this stands as a good example for future innovations.
Compare with the shaved lawn nearby…
An isolated tree, recently planted, is cut off from the mycorrhizal network underground that it needs to thrive.
Take a longer look at the young forest recently fortified with fresh plantings…
Infusing more natural growth into the urban space is a win for Lighthouse Park. The silence alone is rewarding, but as time passes, it will deepen. Existing plant and animal species will grow and new ones will find a home.
Also developing…
Lighthouse Park is, of course, home to the internationally praised sculptural project, The Girl Puzzle, by Amanda Matthews. Because the concrete foundation was not set properly, RIOC is now engaged in developing a contract that will stabilize the artwork’s supporting infrastructure..
“The monument is still a beautiful attraction on our Island’s northern end, even with the need for concrete repairs,” RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels told The Daily.
The restored lighthouse remains a largely undiscovered jewel where Roosevelt Island juts into Hellgate, separating powerful, conflicting currents.
The open meadow, perfect for frisbees and other play, is safe haven for birds in any season.
All around are exceptioanl views of Manhattan and Queens, including Carl Schurz Park with Gracie Mansion.
A Human Touch
Pleading from historian and Coler volunteer leader, Judith Berdy, paired with a newly aware RIOC team now brings long-sought access to the West Promenade.
After decades without direct access to the waterfront, Coler residents and others can wheel straight through.
“We were after this for years,” the man said before rolling across.
A better, more responsive RIOC works smoothly at achieving improvements that waited too long.
As an accent, the new accessible crosswalk is flanked by recently planted wheeping cherry trees, also the result of a Berdy-RIOC initiative.
Finally…
In Lighthouse Park and elsewhere, change is breaking old habits and replacing them with newer and better ones. Accommodating the influx of tourists while maintaining traditional values demands insight and balance that have been mostly absent in recent years.
Now, there’s progress, and nowhere is it more evident – and largely unseen – than in Lighthouse Park.
Howard Polivy, the Man Who Never Left
There is a particular rhythm to board meetings. Once you have sat through enough of them, they begin to blend together. The agenda appears. The minutes are approved.
