Aerial View Image Of Blackwell Park From Judith’s Gallery
During the May 2010 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) VP of Planning & Inter-Governmental Affairs Rosina Abramson 
and Landscape Architect Lee Weintraub 
presented RIOC’s updated proposal for a Blackwell Park Master Plan
that they say complies with the features endorsed by a prior RIRA resolution on subject.
Image of Blackwell Park Master Plan Site Map
I asked Ms. Abramson to summarize RIOC’s Master Plan for Blackwell Park. Ms. Abramson writes:
The community planning process for creating a new masterplan for 40 year old Blackwell Park began summer 2009 when RIOC convened a meeting with Roosevelt Island community group representatives. The composition of the planning group expanded from 8 or 9 members to a total of 18. In preparation for its work, the community planning group met with RIOC’s landscape architect, Lee Weintraub and associates including experts in children’s play. The group visited other parks and playgrounds as examples of current design principles and the playground experts held focus groups with children from the Youth Center and PS/IS 217 and their teachers. Masterplanning to update Blackwell Park began for several reasons, including: Blackwell House interior is being renovated and a handicap accessible ramp, running from the East Porch into Blackwell Park is required; the Southtown developers are obligated to re-locate the tot lot, as it sits in the footprint of building 7; the Park – designed 40 years ago doesn’t meet modern standards of universal handicap accessibility; pavers on the Kiley Bosque – the cluster of trees between Blackwell House and 504 Main Street, surrounding the children’s play fountain – are buckling creating tripping hazards and impacting tree roots.
After a series of meetings, the community planning committee recommended a masterplan design to the RIRA Common Council, which passed a resolution at its Feb. 2, 2010 meeting endorsing a masterplan including the following features: All trees are preserved; Grouping the playground on the north end of the park with the tot lot on the southern end, so that parents can supervise children playing in both areas and releasing the northern lawn for use for picnics and passive recreation and as a sledding hill in winters; Creating a handicap ramp approved by the RI disabled association and seniors, along with a “kitchen” garden featuring herbs and plants contemporaneous with the Blackwell family; re-aligning grades and paths in the Park to meet current universal accessibility standards; Maintaining the two basketball Courts with upgraded seating; removing the pavers in favor of a more tree friendly pavement finish and creating an area for outdoor cafe tables and chairs; outdoor adult fitness equipment will be located at various points along the East Promenade, facing the water.
On May 5th, landscape architect Lee Weintraub presented the master plan for Blackwell Park, incorporating the planning principles of RIRA’s resolution.
Plan Description
The Master Plan proposes that the area around the Blackwell House be modified to include ADA and related improvements that include a modest period residential landscape at the east facing porch and a ramped access to the porch. The existing paved area under the “Kiley” bosque will be changed removing the current frost and root heaved pavement, and replacing it with compacted gravel and cafe seating. The Master Plan proposes to preserve and protect the bosque planetrees and existing fountains.The plan also proposes to extend this bosque north to the terrace at 405 Main. Longer term vision includes a location for a food service cafe located within the bosque.The basketball courts and stepped spectator seating are left in the exact location they currently occupy. These will be updated. Walls and access points are proposed to be modified so an ADA compliant path is achieved. The area just south of Roosevelt Landings, currently occupied by walls and a mix of play equipment will be modified. The play area is proposed to be relocated and the topography modified to allow for a sledding and sunning east facing hill that largely respects the existing planting and appropriately allows for seasonal use. Trees remain in place. The landscape edge is modified to allow for a sequence of areas for outdoor fitness and exercise equipment.
The Master Plan proposes that the southern area of Blackwell be allocated for a children’s adventure playground. The playground is planned to take advantage of and respect existing mature trees. It is proposed to be a set of terraced spaces respecting existing site topography and trees. An array of play opportunities and modes are set on the linked terrace, including play for disabled children. The Master Plan proposes that the play area be accessible to children of different ages, different skill sets, and different interests. It also includes discrete areas for caregivers, serving as “eyes” on the entry point to the playground. The play area (and the basketball courts) will be accessed from a path that aligns with the Blackwell House Porch modifying the existing steps and grades to allow for ramped wheel chair access under the existing and preserved gingko allee.
I asked members of RIRA’s Blackwell Park Task Force for their thoughts on RIOC’s plan There’s More!
