Living Shoreline Recreational Area

On Tuesday, September 15, the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and RISF joined Fred Landa from the New York State Department of State (NYS DOS) Division of Coastal Resources and members of Manhattan Community Board 11 and the Harlem River Park Task Force for a scoping meeting for the upcoming Randall’s Island Living Shoreline Recreational Area. This exciting new project comprises a 2.2 acre waterfront site south of the Manhattan span of the RFK Bridge and includes nearly 600 linear feet of shoreline, much of which is now collapsing stone seawall. Thanks to an Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant from NYS DOS, the waterfront will be reconfigured to enhance water quality, foster estuarine life, adapt to coastal forces including wave/wake energy and create conditions more proximate to natural shoreline. Following studies of existing conditions this fall, DPR and RISF will invite broad community input in re-imagining a multiple-purposed waterfront which is alive with plants and animals. A community workshop in early spring 2012 will explore alternatives for the Living Shore including amenities such as pathways, seating, a picnic area, plantings and access for water-based recreation such as fishing and boating.

Oyster Garden Program

The Randall’s Island Sports Foundation’s Natural Areas Crew has partnered with NY/NJ Baykeeper on their Oyster Garden Program. As part of the program, RISF receives cages, or “gardens”, containing juvenile oysters from Baykeeper to place in the East River. The oysters are monitored once a month by the Natural Areas Crew with the help of local school children.

 Oysters are typically found in estuaries like the East River. The species of oyster found in the NYC Harbor Estuary is the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). During colonial times, NYC had over 350 square miles of oyster beds and was known as the oyster capitol of the world. Due to years of overharvesting and water pollution caused by combined sewer overflows, industrial pollution, and dredging there are only scattered clusters of oysters left in the harbor.

 Oysters are biological engineers. Like coral, oysters grow on top of each other creating a 3D structure at the bottom of the river.  Nooks and crannies between all the shells on the reef provide habitat for an enormous range of other animals, such as worms, snails, sea squirts, sponges, small crabs and fishes. Oysters consume algae by filtering water at a rate of up to 1.3 – 2.1 gallons per hour. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day! While they filter, oysters remove pollutants from the water column, making our waterways cleaner and safer for animals and for people. Students that participate in the program will have a chance to learn about oysters ecological services as well view and record important data on the oysters.

 Please contact our Natural Areas Manager, Victoria Ruzicka, for more information on how your students can get involved in the program.

 For more information on NY/NJ Baykeeper’s Oyster Garden Program please visit their website.

Wetlands Stewardship Program

The Randall’s Island Wetlands Stewardship Program teaches children about wetland ecology and enables children to experience nature through hands-on learning. During the field trip, students will have the chance to explore a restored salt marsh or freshwater wetland with one of our knowledgeable Natural Areas Crew members. Ultimately, students will gain a greater respect for the environment and a greater understanding of what it means to be an environmental steward.

 Attention teachers and administrators, for more information on our Wetlands Stewardship Program please check out this document: Randall’s Island Wetlands Program Description.

Also check out our Randall’s Island Wetlands Stewardship activities booklet for children, which is both educational and fun. 

For information on arranging a school trip for your students to the wetlands please contact our Natural Areas Manager, Victoria Ruzicka.

For full information on the most recent year’s program, please see our 2011 Wetlands Stewardship Program Report.

What’s in Bloom: August, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Late July, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Early July, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Late June, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Early June, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Mid May, 2011

What’s in Bloom: Early May, 2011

The White Garden

The White Garden is located behind Field 74 in the most wooded part of the island. It is composed of plants that either have white blooming flowers, or variegated foliage.  There is grove of birch trees underplanted with Virginia Bluebells, which bloom in springtime.  The White Garden was planted as a restful sanctuary from the commotion on the rest of the island.

Hell’s Gate Wildflower Meadow

Planted in 2010, The Hell’s Gate Meadow is next to field 63.  This meadow is a homage to the wild parts of the island.  The meadow is planted with perennials native to the Northeast.  In creating and maintaining the meadow only sustainable practices are used.  The planting of the garden included the use of weed barrier bio-degradable paper, plugs and seed mixes. 

Freshwater Wildflower Meadow Entryway

Planted in 2009-2010, this meadow is the pathway into the Freshwater Wetlands.  It is planted exclusively with perennials native to the Northeast.  It flowers from early spring to early winter.  There are approximately 8,000 plants and is constantly self-seeding. 

Future Meadow Projects

In 2011, The Horticulture Department of Randall’s Island Sports Foundation will extend the Hell’s Gate Wildflower Meadow from its present location to the Amtrak Bridge.  This will increase the square footage by 6,000 square feet.  Future native plant community projects being considered are at Sunken Meadow.

 If you want to volunteer to work in one of the gardens, please contact: phyllis.odessey@parks.nyc.gov

The ¾ mile long Water’s Edge Garden begins on the other side of boardwalkbridge, which spans the saltwater marsh and at other end at the 104 street bridges, was planted by volunteers in 2006, 2007 and 2008. It includes 40,000 perennials and grasses, plus 70,000 bulbs.  The garden meanders in a curvilinear fashion, 6 feet at its narrowest point and 20 feet at its widest point.  Unusual drift mixtures of perennials and grasses, punctuated by shrubs for height and texture, cover the garden area.  Dappled Salix integral “Hakuro Niskhiki’ and Cornus stolnifera ‘Flaviramea’ are interspersed among Aster ‘Von Stafa’ ‘Harrington’s Pink’ and Echinacea ‘Summer Sky.”  The garden is maintained by using totally organic practices.   Serendipitously, the garden goes from sunlight to shade or the reverse depending on your entry point, echoing the play of light on the East River.  Turning and twisting, parallel to the water’s edge, the Garden beckons the visitor. 

Phyllis Odessey, Horticulture Manager and Eunyoung Sebazco, Assistant Horticulture Manager was won the Perennial Plant Association’s Landscape Design Award in 2007 for the Water’s Edge Garden.

 If you want to volunteer to work in one of the gardens, please contact: phyllis.odessey@parks.nyc.gov

The Learning Garden

This garden is located next to the existing playground next Field 61-62.  You can identify the entry to the garden by the two animal topiaries at the gate. The garden is 6,000 sq.ft composed of 42 raised beds, 20 in- ground beds and a garden of the four senses.  The raised beds and in-ground beds are planted each year with organic vegetables, such as  Dragon Carrots, Purple Queen Bush Beans, Petite Pois Precoville, Little Gem Baby Romaine and Bambino Eggplant.  Each year the garden is organized around different themes.  In 2010, the vegetable garden featured Baby Garden, Asian Garden, Cutting Garden, Ratouille Garden, Italian Garden and Mexican Garden. The garden uses only sustainable methods and includes different systems of composting, rainwater collection and beneficial insect to fight disease.  The Four Senses Garden is an area built around fragrance, touch, smell and sight.  The Learning Garden is maintained by The Randall’s Island Sports Foundation.

For information on arranging a school trip to The Learning Garden click here.

For a little more information on The Learning Garden click here.  

If you want to volunteer to work in one of the gardens, please contact: phyllis.odessey@parks.nyc.gov

Apple Orchard

The Apple Orchard (at the northern end of Field 62) was planted in 2010 in partnership with Erik Baard of newtownpippin.org.  The apple orchard is composed primarily of Newtown pippin apples.  This apple was a favorite of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  It was originally planted in Queens, NY on the Gershom Moore estate in the village of Newtown (now called “Elmhurst).  Michael Pollan writes, “The Newtown Pippin, originally discovered in Queens, NY, is one of the all-time great American apples – storied, delicious, and overdue for a comeback.  I’m delighted about this campaign to revive the Newtown Pippin, so close to its native ground.  I can’t imagine a better choice for New York City’s official apple.”

http://www.newtownpippin.org

For an audio tour of the Apple Orchard click here.  

If you want to volunteer to work in one of the gardens, please contact: phyllis.odessey@parks.nyc.gov

The Rock Garden was created in 2007 at the site of the ferry dock on Randall’s Island. Featuring both alpine and dwarf conifers, this garden utilizes both Eastern and Western traditions of rock gardening. 

The unique entry gate was designed by Sean Ealey, Horticulture staff member and includes a green roof made up of drought-tolerant sedums.  The Rock Garden gate is a passageway into a complex and intriguing world. Paths within the Rock Garden allow visitors to explore what’s around the corner and aid in drawing the eye to specific points of interest.  Layered rocks not only serve as a focal point, but also provide contemplative sitting areas.  The Rock Garden is sloped to face the East River, offering a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.

The process of building the Rock Garden included:  excavation of rocks from the island; placement of rock material by RISF Horticulture staff and FDNY volunteers and the addition of a custom mixed soil to allow proper drainage. Goldman Sachs volunteers installed the rock garden.

If you want to volunteer to work in one of the gardens, please contact: phyllis.odessey@parks.nyc.gov