Echoes of the last Cherry Blossom Festival, an onrush of unexpected visitors gathered in Southpoint and Four Freedoms State Park. But this time, it was different. The alarm went out early, and RIOC’s Public Safety blunted the FLOWER MARKET chaos in a hurry.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Reversing the Flower Market Chaos
The trouble started immediately. FDR Four Freedoms State Park managers set a requirement for ticketed visitors only, including capacity restrictions.
“The event has been canceled at the FDR FFSP,” officials said. “Unfortunately it was oversold and not well produced.” In addition, “They were letting people in who had NOT registered.”
“We had to have help from PSD to shut it down,” Four Freedoms Conservancy Executive Director Howard Axel told The Daily.
RIOC to the rescue
Within an hour of the time the gates opened on Saturday, local officials knew there was trouble. Hundreds of “guests,” lured through social media, congregated in the parks. Some had tickets, some didn’t, and a lot didn’t know they needed them.
“PSD Chief Kevin Brown has been on site since this morning,” RIOC spokesman Bryant Daniels told us late in the afternoon.
After ordering the park closure, Brown’s team controlled the crowd and ensured safety as they exited.
“Chief Brown also coordinated with NYC Transit to arrange additional trains and officers, and the 114th Precinct provided officers who arrived almost immediately. We are thankful for these agencies for their response as well.”
RIOC’s quick and effective response ended the FLOWER MARKET chaos before anyone was in serious danger. Defusing a crisis is not something it’s often call on to do, but experience and commitment made their efforts effective.
- Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Earns Excellence in Historic Preservation Award
- Red Buses Are Better, Not Great. The Worst Goes Unaddressed
- Sold Out! CJ Hendry’s FLOWER MARKET Exhibit in Four Freedoms Park
- All You Need to Know About NYC Ferry’s Fall 2024 Changes
- If It Scratches, Itch It. Is That Good Advice?
In a Nutshell
FDR Four Freedoms State Park is a national treasure, honoring the most consequential American President since the Civil War in 1860. But CJ Hendry did not get it. Her organization drew far too many people too quickly onto Roosevelt Island. The FLOWER MARKET was “shut down” because of dangers created. Capacity numbers were clear in memos from the park’s managers as was a requirement for ticketed entry only.
The chaos forced RIOC to invest thousands in securing safety in the parks. The organizers will not pay for any of it. But the experience also cracked the trust of the Conservancy. They are now cautious about allowing artists’ use of New York City’s most serene location. You can’t put a price on that.
By day’s end, Hendry, according to her Instagram, secured an alternative location in Brooklyn for Sunday.
Note the absence of apology and the elitist snark.
Before I Find the Eggs
Trader Joe’s has its own choreography.
Thank you so much for posting this. I live in Manhattan, came over on Friday. Was stunned that there was a line on Fri. Not stunned that were so many people on Sat. What the artist (C.J. Hendry) really missed here is that this is a government park. You can’t just mess around unapologetically. I did respect CJ Hendry as an artist but after this incident, and her lack of apology, AND her incitement of online bullying, I see how inexperienced she is at producing events, and inexperienced as a human being just living in the world. It’s CJ Hendry’s fault the event was a mess. There’s no excuse for encouraging online harassment.
Thanks. I couldn’t agree more. There actually more details that are being held pending a lawsuit being considered against her. It really should never have happened.
She should get a fine for flying a photography drone without a permit. Girl, you a stone’s throw from the UN. This is a big deal.
Thank you. That and plenty more.