The two islands, combined in 1960, have been connected by the RFK Bridge or Triboro Bridge, to Manhattan, the South Bronx, and Astoria Queens since 1936. While automotive access has been in place since 1936 from 3 boroughs, Randall’s Island is only accessible via public transport from one single borough, Manhattan, via a single bus line, M35 bus.
This centrally located island has experienced a number of major heavy investments in the last few decades – often spearheaded by Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA). See below for the activities available on the Island.
While we applaud the City’s investments on the island over the last few decades, we are writing to highlight that such development is not complete until the public have greater access to the island.
The island now provides access to
SPORTS
OUTDOOR AND NATURE
- Children’s Playgrounds
- Carefully restored Wetland and Salt marsh!
- Native garden and forest cleared of invasive species
- 40,000 sq feet of Urban Farms
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
- Fire Academy
- Police Bureau
- Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital
- Water treatment facility
SOCIAL SERVICES
- Clark Thomas shelters
- Volunteers of America Assessment Center
- Odyssey house