Friday, October 17, 2025 – An interesting path on the east shore of Southpoint Park

By admin

Walking Up

The East Path

in

Southpoint Park

Friday, October 17, 2025

Issue #1556

Judith Berdy

For the second time this month I guided a group of 10 visitors from the Tram to Southpoint Park and the FDR Park.

As with last week’s tour the weather was clear and crisp. I could not resist the image of the grand Chrysler Building surrounded by contemporary towers.  

Our visit started out with one of our feline friends who was patrolling the FDR Park.

The entrance to the east walkway is accross from the WFF Cat Sanctuary,

Two tidbits about the path:
You notice the dark pavement on the right side. Why?  The park was under construction during the pandemic and suddenly RIOC discovered the ADA path was too narrow.  Therefore, rocks had to be reomoved and the path widened.

I always have fears that some daring teen will walk the rocks and fall into the river.

Th path is below grade and you are not visible from the east roadway.  Also, two exits were planned from the path to the road. They were never installed. This means the only north exit is at the park north exit.

Strecker Laboratory peeking out thru the plantings.

The structure south of Strecker was built to provide emergeny suppor in case of the potential of subway tunnel flooding.

Just the beginning of fall foliage here

Wonderful views are plentiful all along the path.  Next time “go east, off the beaten path.”

RIHS/NYPL  ROOSEVELT ISLAND AT 50 PROGRAM 

NYPL RI Branch
Monday, October 20th
6:30 P.M.
THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
&
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
 
“ROOSEVELT ISLAND AT 50”
 
Our next program in our 50th anniversary series presents:
Non-Profit Island Discussion with
Howard Axel and Christina Delfico.

Howard Axel, the CEO of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy responsible for maintaining and operating FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island, NY.
Axel is  a nonprofit executive committed to bringing the best of business practices to sustainable social impact efforts in the United States. Axel has 13+ years of experience in fundraising, creating and stewarding strategic partnerships, executing marketing and social media-driven crowdsourcing opportunities for non-profits and entertainment brands.
 
 
In 2012, Christina Delfico founded iDig2Learn because she recognized the need for a local organization that would connect city children and their families with nature.
​Leveraging her expertise as an Emmy-nominated children’s media producer, she saw the chance to disconnect children from their screens and get them outside.
​Developing and facilitating enriching opportunities soon expanded to include spotlighting smart waste reduction practices to support a healthy environment.
​Today, iDig2Learn creates experiences for all ages and abilities.

HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA 
IN THE OCTAGON LOBBY

Credits

Judith Berdy

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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