More Information
Since 1992, RISF has sponsored free youth programs at Randall’s Island Park, giving thousands of children the opportunity to go outside and play.
Volunteer Projects Several thousand corporate and individual volunteers annually enjoy planting and restoration projects on Randall’s Island.
Young Professionals Council
We are looking for talented young professionals to help support Randall’s Island.
Our Mission
Randall’s Island Sports Foundation, Inc. (RISF) is a nonprofit organization that, in conjunction with City leadership, works to realize the island’s unique potential by developing sports and recreational facilities, restoring its vast natural environment, reclaiming and maintaining parkland, and sponsoring programs for the children of New York City.
A little bit more about RISF
RISF was founded in 1992 as a public-private partnership to work on behalf of Randall’s Island Park, located in the East River between East Harlem, the South Bronx and Astoria, Queens. In August 2007, RISF and the City undertook a project to reconfigure and rebuild over 60 athletic playing fields on Randall’s Island. By spring 2010, the project will be nearly complete and Randall’s Island Park will have more than half of all the athletic fields in Manhattan, which will vastly increase the amount of playing time available for all New Yorkers. RISF is also working closely with the City to ensure that these fields are available during after-school hours for high school groups and the CHAMPS program for public middle school athletes, as well as in partnership with local community-based organizations so that all the children of New York are guaranteed a much needed place to play.
Randall’s Island Park is also home to Icahn Stadium, a world-class track & field facility, which is the only one of its kind in North America capable of hosting local, regional and national events. Icahn Stadium offers a full standard 400-meter Mondo running track flanked by 5,000 covered spectator seats overlooking the East River. Within the Icahn Stadium complex, there is a premier turf soccer field with bleachers for spectator events.
In summer 2009, RISF, working together with Sportime, unveiled a new $16 million world-class tennis center. The Sportime Tennis Center, which is the largest and finest tennis facility to open in New York City in the past 30 years, has 20 state-of-the-art courts. The intimate complex provides a great venue for watching and playing tennis, and gives New Yorkers a place to train, play and compete. Our partnership with Sportime extends into provision of top quality professional instruction to local children, which has includeded a tennis clinic taught by Serena Williams and other great tennis professionals. Randall’s Island Park is also home to the Randall’s Island Golf Center, which has been newly renovated and has a large grass tee driving range, two miniature golf courses, batting cages, beer garden and WiFi lounge. The Golf Center works with RISF to provide free resources to local children.
In addition to developing world class sports facilities, RISF is devoted to restoring the island’s natural environment. In spring 2008, the restoration of the Little Hell Gate salt marsh and freshwater wetlands was completed. The $5 million project restored 8-acres of Randall’s Islands salt marsh and wetlands and is now improving water quality and providing wildlife habitat. A new boardwalk also connects to roughly a mile of shoreline pedestrian and bicycle paths, with interpretive signage and increased access to waterfront resources and park facilities.
Today RISF continues to work toward developing and maintaining Randall’s Island Park, and sponsoring community-linked programs for children so that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the City.
