Banned Book Library opens Friday, Art Censorship talk & Imagination Playground follow Saturday at Four Freedoms Park
Four Freedoms Park is hosting free events this weekend, including the Banned Book Library on Friday, showcasing challenged titles and free expression, followed by the Imagination Playground and an Art Censorship talk on Saturday. Activities run from May 16 to June 2, offering family-friendly fun and engaging discussions on creativity and censorship.
Hey neighbors! Ericka here with a quick, joy-packed heads-up for your end-of-week plans. If you love books, art, sunshine and family fun, Four Freedoms State Park has a whole bouquet of free events ready for us:
| Day | What’s Happening | Time | Perfect For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 16 | Banned Book Library – browse titles that have been challenged or removed and learn why free expression matters | 10 AM – 6 PM (daily through June 2) | All ages, quiet reading nooks |
| Saturday, May 17 | Imagination Playground – giant blue building blocks for open-air creativity | 11 AM – 4 PM | Kids (and playful grown-ups!) |
| Art Censorship in America – a 1-hour talk by Elizabeth Larison (NCAC) on how and why artwork gets silenced | 1 PM – 3 PM | Teens 16+ and adults (free, but RSVP encouraged) |
Getting there:
Hop on the Tram, the F train to Roosevelt Island, or the Astoria NYC Ferry route. From the Tram station, it’s a breezy 10-minute walk south along the river to the park entrance. Pack sunscreen, a blanket, and maybe grab fresh goodies at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market (Good Shepherd Plaza, Saturday 8 AM – 3 PM) before you stroll down.
Why it’s special:
UNBANNED’s pop-up library and programs invite us to celebrate the freedom to read and create—values Roosevelt spoke about right here. Bring a friend, soak up the skyline views, and leave inspired.
Quick look ahead:
- Outdoor Summer Movie Series voting wrapped in March; expect a line-up announcement soon!
- Save Saturday June 7 for Roosevelt Island Day’s 50-year celebration at Firefighters Field.
See you on the lawn—let’s make some unforgettable spring memories together!
Air Doesn’t Have an Address
The Roosevelt Island Steam Plant fight has reached a new stage: DOB has agreed to a site walkthrough, ArchRI says it is bringing independent engineers and architects, and four elected officials have formally asked RIOC to create a Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the project.
