Randall's Island Park Gets $1M To Upgrade Pathways

RANDALL'S ISLAND, NY — Randall's Island Park is getting nearly $1 million to upgrade the pathways that snake around the 330-acre green space, park officials announced this week.

Since 2012, the Randall's Island Park Alliance has been working to improve its pathways with a goal of better connecting visitors to park resources.

The new funding will improve multiple forms of travel by connecting attractions like Icahn Stadium, ballfields, the Urban Farm and a playground with CitiBike stations, bus stops and parking lots.

The $950,000 allocation came through City Councilmember Diana Ayala, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Assemblymember Robert Rodriguez.

“I am pleased to contribute funding that will provide increased accessibility to a Park that is an oasis for New Yorkers,” said Rodriguez, who represents East Harlem.

"The contribution will help move this initiative forward, and fosters RIPA’s careful plan that focuses on access improvements alongside sustaining and programming the Island’s resources."

In the coming years, the Alliance aims to expand and improve access to its Sportime Tennis Center, Drive Shack golf center, and a new central Nature Center.

Visits to the park surged last year as cooped-up New Yorkers lavished attention on lesser-known outdoor areas.