By Ericka O’Connell, Roosevelt Island Daily
Friends, if you have ever walked the East River and spotted what looks like a frozen rollercoaster twisting in the sky, you have discovered one of the city’s most playful public artworks. In this fun neighborhood favorite, we are diving into the story behind the Andrew Haswell Green Park sculpture, the looping structure that continues to stop walkers in their tracks.
A Sculpture That Looks Ready to Launch
Officially called East River Roundabout, this swirling aluminum structure was created by world renowned artist Alice Aycock in 1995. From a distance, it truly looks like part of a runaway amusement ride, with its spirals, ramps, and sudden dips curling above the park.
But this is not a thrill ride. It is a sculpture meant to play with motion, perspective, and the wild energy of the surrounding city. Framed by the Queensboro Bridge, the FDR Drive, and the rushing river below, the piece feels perfectly at home in New York’s organized chaos.
From Industrial Rooftop to Waterfront Gem
What makes this sculpture even more special is the land beneath it. Long before it became a peaceful waterfront park, this site served as a sanitation transfer station and later a heliport. Not exactly a destination for a sunset stroll.
When the city began transforming the space into what is now Andrew Haswell Green Park, Aycock was commissioned to reimagine the rooftop in a bold and imaginative way. The result is the sculpture we enjoy today, turning an old piece of infrastructure into a place of beauty and curiosity.
Why Neighbors Love It
There is something magical about stumbling upon this sculpture for the first time. It feels hidden in plain sight. Some reasons it continues to charm locals and visitors alike:
- It looks different from every angle, no two views feel the same
- It adds motion to the skyline even though it never moves
- It sparks imagination for kids and adults alike
- It transforms a once forgotten space into something joyful
Many neighbors say it feels like a secret found only by those who slow down and look up.
How to Find the “Rollercoaster”
Planning a visit? Here is a quick guide:
- Walk along the East River near East 60th to 63rd Streets
- Look beneath and just south of the Queensboro Bridge
- Take the pedestrian ramp near Rockefeller University to reach the plaza level
- From above while riding the tram
Once you are there, you will find seating, open space, and one of the most unexpected art pieces along the waterfront.
A Little Whimsy in the Middle of the City
In a city that never stops moving, this sculpture reminds us that motion can be interpreted in many ways. The East River Roundabout does not rush. It loops and curves gently above us, inviting us to pause, look up, and smile.
If you have not visited in a while, this is your sign to take a walk, bring a friend, snap a photo, and enjoy one of the quieter joys tucked along our city’s edge.
The Meeting That Moved On Without Her
The smoke had thinned by November seventeenth, but it still clung to my coat and the back of my throat. Two nights earlier, fire trucks had crowded the rear of the Landings, their lights bouncing off brick and glass. The flames were gone. The smell remained.
