ABOUT RIPA

Our Mission

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Inc. (RIPA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with the City of New York and local communities to provide an innovative and exciting destination through a wide range of sports venues, cultural events and environmental exploration. As the dedicated steward of Randall’s Island Park, the Alliance sustains, maintains, develops and programs the Park to support the wellbeing of all New Yorkers.

RIPA is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all employees and partners while working together as an organization to cohesively fulfill RIPA’s mission. The ultimate goal is to foster diversity and equity at all levels of the organization and to be inclusive of all members of the community.

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) is the proud steward of beautiful Randall’s Island Park, which is uniquely situated between three boroughs – Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. For over 30 years, the City has entrusted RIPA to care for the park’s 330 acres. Responsible for raising the park’s annual operating budget, our non-profit organization employs approximately 80 staff members that undertake the essential work needed to improve and maintain this critical greenspace. The work done by RIPA would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and the support of our many partners.

RIPA was founded in 1992 to maintain, sustain, and program Randall’s Island Park as a place for all New Yorkers to enjoy. Working closely with the City and the Parks Department, RIPA spearheaded the restoration, development, and management of the park. Over $375 million has now been invested into the park through the work of the Alliance, the commitment of the City of New York, considerable State funding, and the generosity of many individuals, corporations and foundations; to join our alliance of supporters, please click here.

This investment in the island has resulted in a remarkable transformation. Over three decades later, Randall’s Island Park is without question New York’s premier destination for sports and recreation, and RIPA continues to serve as its dedicated steward. The park comprises 60+ athletic fields (more than half the premier fields in Manhattan!); Icahn Stadium, a world-class track & field facility; the Sportime Tennis Center, featuring 30 state-of-the-art courts; and miles of pathways for both recreation and commuting between the three surrounding boroughs. RIPA has also restored dozens of acres of the island’s natural resources, including the Living Shoreline Recreational Area as well as the Little Hell Gate Inlet Salt Marsh and Freshwater Wetlands, which work to improve water quality and provide precious wildlife habitat. On the southern end, RIPA’s Urban Farm comprises a wide variety of produce in a range of vegetable beds, including a variety of rice paddies, and carefully cultivated gardens welcome visitors throughout the park. The island’s passive recreational resources include popular family-friendly picnicking areas and beautiful gardens as well as scenic pathways for walking, running and bicycling. The sprawling Harlem River Event Area brings the world to the shores of Randall’s Island each year, through major concerts and cultural festivals.

Randall’s Island Park attracts over 4 million visitors to the island each year. Many visitors come from surrounding communities to participate in RIPA’s robust free year-round public programming, from festivals and family-friendly explorations at the Urban Farm, scenic waterfront, and wetlands to fun runs at Icahn Stadium,

outdoor movie nights, free yoga classes, garden tours, and more. In addition, RIPA continues to offer quality free youth programs including: a five-week summer camp serving children from community-based organizations in neighboring Harlem and the Bronx; Waterfront Stewardship programming, which provides opportunities for local NYC public school students to visit, study, and volunteer; and our Urban Farm programs, which provide students with hands-on learning experiences focused on organic gardening and the preparation of healthy meals. The Park-as-Lab program offers opportunities for collaborative community science and research into the Island’s unique urban ecology.

While much has been accomplished, we know there is still much to do. RIPA will continue to work toward improving and maintaining this remarkable City resource. We need help from people like you to sustain our momentum! Please donate to support our work.