The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has completed a major expansion of Southpoint Park, a waterfront public park on the southeast tip of Roosevelt Island. The $11 million revitalization project expands the island’s lookout points with pathways and native vegetation, and strengthens the shoreline against future storm damage.
The revitalization project began in July 2020, and according to the project team, was finished ahead of schedule and under budget.
“The reality is that we’re seeing more cases of extreme weather caused by climate change wreaking havoc on our communities, and we need to build up resiliency to this threat,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Not only will Southpoint Park’s new promenades offer amazing views and access to Roosevelt Island’s rich history, but the improvements made to the shoreline will help ensure the island is protected from the impacts of extreme weather for years to come.”
View of new pedestrian walkway at Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park
View of the Manhattan skyline from Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park
Evening view of new pedestrian walkway at Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park
The seven-acre park originally debuted in August 2011. Just one year later, Superstorm Sandy ravaged the New York City region and damaged much of the park’s original vegetation and public green spaces.
Now complete, the new walkways and lookout points are lined with 34,000 square feet of native fauna and large stones strategically placed to mitigate erosion and improve storm resiliency.
“Superstorm Sandy showed us how real and devastating climate change can be,” said president and CEO of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Shelton J. Haynes. “The mitigation efforts we took to protect and reinforce Southpoint Park’s shoreline were necessary and forward-thinking. The bonus is, we have created a holistic waterfront oasis at the same time—something we are very proud of and looking forward to our residents and visitors enjoying.”
Evening view of new pedestrian walkway at Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park
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NYC has over 500 miles of shoreline. Building sea walls along all of that isn’t realistic. To save much of the City, the only option is building dikes and ship locks at Verrazano, Throgs Neck and Tottenville.
Yet they aren’t, which should tell you something.
“34,000 square feet of native fauna” — Now, that would be a sight! Be tough getting the raccoons to stay in place though! We imagine they’re all heavily sedated!
Flora would be much more compliant!
Nice!
As Beautiful as it is Do we really need another park in Manhattan
Why don’t you build a park in some the empty NYCHA lots around the 5 Boroughs
Oh that rights
These kids don’t want or need a park
There is always money for what is not really needed
No one lives there.
“The reality is that we’re seeing more cases of extreme weather caused by climate change”
False.
The first photo is fake-the new Cornell buildings are missing.
Very much interested, iPad blacked out, hope you received my information
@mkeit, you are correct. It looks nothing like what they dropped in. A bit odd as the Cornell buildings have been there for at least 2 years now.