Waterfront & Natural Areas

Waterfront &
Natural Areas

Welcome to the waterfront and natural areas of Randall’s Island Park! Explore serene shorelines, vibrant tidal salt marshes, tranquil freshwater wetlands, colorful meadows, and enchanting urban trees. It is a perfect outdoor escape for everyone!

About Our Waterfront

Nestled in the heart of New York City, the waterfront and natural areas of Randall’s Island Park are a testament to the dedication of the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA). We focus on restoring, maintaining, and programming these spaces to blend environmental, educational, and recreational experiences for all.

The park is a haven, with wetlands, forested areas, and meadows connected by extensive pathways, offering stunning city vistas. The park’s habitats are crucial in supporting natural flood control, cooling, air and water purification, and supporting diverse wildlife. This transformation is driven by the unwavering support of individuals, grants, and foundations, essential to our mission.

Special thanks for dedicated funding from ConEd.

Our Waterfront Stewardship Program exemplifies our commitment to environmental education and community engagement. RIPA’s Natural Areas team leads volunteer activities, events, tours, research collaborations, and educational initiatives, fostering a deep connection with nature.

Whether you’re into fishing, birdwatching, urban ecology, or seeking tranquility, Randall’s Island Park offers a unique escape. It’s where nature thrives amidst the city, inviting discovery and inspiring stewardship.

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance is proud to program and maintain the natural areas and greatly appreciates donations to help continue to make these events possible.

Waterfront & Natural Areas

Randall’s Island Park Habitats

Shorelines
Salt Marshes
Freshwater Wetland
Meadows
Urban Forest
play
Shorelines

Shorelines

The island’s accessible 4.5 miles of shoreline provides a unique habitat in the New York Harbor. The shorelines are the foundation for dynamic coastal ecosystems, providing valuable protection and substrate for many marine organisms such as oysters, grass shrimp, mussels, and colorful algae. The converging currents and tidal systems, debris and pilings, and restored estuarine habitat on the island provide a mix of conditions ideal for a wide range of fish species throughout the year, including striped bass, summer and winter flounder, porgy, pipefish, and Atlantic silverside. Paved pathways along much of the shoreline provide recreational access to these beautiful waterfront habitats.

play
Salt Marshes

Salt Marshes

Discover the magic of salt marshes at Randall’s Island Park! These vibrant wetlands, nestled next to salty and brackish waters, are some of Earth’s most productive ecosystems. They’re not just beautiful but also nature’s guardians, protecting nearby areas from flooding and erosion and creating vital habitats for many different species of animals.

Observe the low marsh flourish with cordgrass and marsh elder, vital habitats for the charming Atlantic marsh fiddler crabs, salt marsh sparrows, graceful egrets, and more. The park proudly features restored tidal salt marshes at the Little Hell Gate Inlet and along the Bronx Kill, each a testament to the delicate balance of nature. Explore and connect with this extraordinary natural wonder in the city!

play
Freshwater Wetland

Freshwater Wetland

Visit the thoughtfully restored Freshwater Wetland on Randall’s Island, a testament to urban ecological balance. This wetland manages stormwater from higher areas of the island, including roads and sports fields. The wetland’s plants naturally filter the water, which removes pollutants, ensuring cleaner water flows into surrounding waterways.

This serene environment is also a vital breeding ground for wildlife. Observe the fascinating life cycle of dragonflies and damselflies in these calm waters. Bird watchers will appreciate the variety of species here, including red-winged blackbirds, marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, American woodcocks, and green herons. This wetland is a peaceful retreat and an integral part of the island’s natural ecosystem.

play
Meadows

Meadows

Randall’s Island Park is home to enchanting meadows flourishing with native wildflowers and maritime grasses. This tapestry of greenery and blooms offers more than just visual beauty; it’s a vital ecosystem. These meadows are buzzing with life, providing perfect habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration and boosting regional biodiversity.

Stroll through these meadows and discover a variety of grasses like switchgrass, little bluestem, and purple love grass. The air is fragrant with an array of flowering plants, including seaside goldenrod, New York aster, American senna, wild bergamot, and common milkweed. And if you visit in the late summer or early fall, keep an eye out for the graceful monarch butterflies that frequent these fields.

play
Urban Forest

Urban Forest

Randall’s Island Park boasts a thriving urban forest, ranging from slender woodlands to lush groves of trees, each playing a critical role in the environment. These trees are not just beautiful; they actively capture and store carbon dioxide, contributing to the fight against global climate change.

RIPA is committed to planting and maintaining a variety of native tree species to substantially expand the island’s tree canopy and its resilience to storms. This greening does more than enhance the park’s beauty; it’s a strategic step in mitigating the urban heat-island effect. The expanded canopy provides a leafy oasis, absorbing sunlight and offering shaded retreats, making summer days more pleasant. This urban forest contributes to the park’s ecological health and tranquil appeal.

?

More information!

How can I access the natural areas of Randall’s Island Park?

The natural areas of Randall’s Island Park are very accessible. The park’s paved paths run adjacent to all of the natural areas and along the 4.5 miles of waterfront, and many of the natural areas on the island have further trails to explore.

How can I get involved with the natural areas?

Volunteering is one of the best ways to engage with the natural areas of Randall’s Island Park on a deeper level. Park patrons assist the Natural Areas team every other Wednesday during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. This work includes planting native species, managing invasive species, weeding, and removing trash. Check out our volunteer page for more information and opportunities.

If you are a student or a researcher, our Park-as-Lab program aims to connect you to the park and provide support during your journey.

What can I expect to see in the natural areas of Randall’s Island Park?

Every day brings a different adventure within the natural areas of Randall’s Island Park, with so much to view and experience. During the spring and fall, migratory birds stop within the island’s wetlands to rest during their long journeys. Insects abound within the meadows during the summer months. A variety of flowers bloom from March through November, continuously changing the landscape of the park.

Can I fish on Randall’s Island Park?

With 4.5 miles of accessible shoreline, Randall’s Island Park is an excellent location for fishing! When accessing the water, take caution, as the rocks can be slippery. If you are 16 or older, you must enroll in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The New York State Department of Health provides fish advisories if you plan to eat the fish you catch.

NYS DOH Fish advisory: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/

NYS DEC Recreational Marine Fishing Registry: https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html

Where can I find birds on Randall’s Island Park?

More than 200 species of resident and migratory birds can be found on Randall’s Island Park throughout the year. The park is along the Atlantic flyway, bringing in dozens of unique species during migration season. The different habitats of the park are a great place to start your bird-watching journey. For recent sightings and birding hotspots, check out Ebird (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1293732)

Where can I find other plants, animals, and fungi?

Randall’s Island Park is home to more than 2,300 species of plants, animals, insects, and fungi. Biodiversity abounds in the island’s natural areas, gardens, shorelines, and other green spaces. For a full list and locations of where you might find some of the island’s incredible biodiversity, check out Inaturalist

Can I bring my kids to walk around the natural areas?

Yes, the natural areas of Randall’s Island Park are great locations for the entire family. Whether you are looking for a location to walk, run, ride bikes, or explore nature, the natural areas and waterfront are accessible and open to the public during park hours. Check out our events calendar for guided programs, or come on your own!

Contact Us

Thank you for contacting us!

Someone will get back to you shortly.