ROOSEVELT ISLAND GREENWAY:
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: May
28, 2024
Length: Roosevelt Island Greenway; 3.8 mile
Loop
Manhattan via Queensboro Bridge to Roosevelt Island Bridge to the Greenway; 3.3 miles
Difficulty:
Easy. The greenway is paved and flat. Some on-road sections (low traffic).
Directions:
To start from the Roosevelt Island Bridge
on the East Side of Roosevelt Island:
Starting from Vernon Blvd & 36th Ave in
Queens;
A path along the North Side of the Roosevelt Island Bridge will
take you West over the East River to
Roosevelt Island. This brings you to a parking
garage on the island. Take a left down the "Island Access" ramp *(Caution;
shared with car traffic) and
another left past the columns to the Roosevelt Island Greenway after
0.4 miles.
Starting from the Manhattan
Waterfront Greenway in Manhattan;
From the intersection of York Ave, E 60th St and the
entrance to the Manhattan
Waterfront Greenway head East up E 60th St and quickly pick up a BIKE
LANE. Follow this BIKE LANE up to and across the Queensboro Bridge
via a separated pedestrian path/BIKE LANE located along the Northern
Side of the bridge (lower level). Come to Queens Plaza North &
Crescent St in Queens after 1.6 miles.
Head left following a BIKE LANE West alongside Queens Plaza
North. Cross 21st St to the paved Queensbridge Park
Greenway which continues West below the Queensboro Bridge.
Cross Vernon Blvd where the trail travels north through Queensbridge Park
(playgrounds, ball fields, restrooms & views of the East River).
Exit the park back out to Vernon Blvd and head left, North, along a BIKE
LANE. Come to Vernon Blvd & 36th Ave
and the Roosevelt Island Bridge
after 3 miles. Turn left to access
the path over the Roosevelt Island Bridge. This brings you to a parking
garage on the island. Take a left down the "Island Access" ramp *(Caution;
shared with car traffic) and
another left past the columns to the Roosevelt Island Greenway after
3.4 miles.
*Note;
Plans are in the works to construct a "Bike Only Ramp" on the Western
End of the Roosevelt Island Bridge that will take you
down to the Roosevelt Island Greenway. As
of 2024, construction has not yet begun.
To start from the Roosevelt Island Tram
Station in the Center of Roosevelt Island:
Starting from the Roosevelt Island Tram
Station in Manhattan; Take the Tram in Manhattan located at
2nd Ave & E 60th St over
to Roosevelt Island. Bikes are allowed, however, at the Manhattan station the only
elevator is too small for most bikes so you'll have to carry your bikes up or
down a stairway. The cost is the same as a Subway fare but with better views.
For more information visit; ROOSEVELT
ISLAND TRAM .
The NYC Subway's Roosevelt
Island Station allows access to the Island. For more information concerning the NYC Subway
visit; NYC
SUBWAY . For information concerning
taking your bike on the Subway visit; NYC
SUBWAY; BIKES .
The
Roosevelt Island Greenway encircles Roosevelt Island, which is
located in the middle
of the East River. The trail may be accessed via the ROOSEVELT
ISLAND TRAM in Manhattan or the Roosevelt Island Bridge
in Queens.
Starting from the Roosevelt Island Bridge
in Queens [East
Side]; The Roosevelt Island Greenway
Loops around Roosevelt Island alongside the East River. Starting from the
bridge access ramp below the Roosevelt Island
Bridge, travel North along the paved
trail. You'll travel underneath the bridge and along the Eastern
Side of the
island. This section of the trail is weathered and narrow in spots. An access
road, then Main St and finally East Rd parallels the trail. You'd probably be
better off utilizing these roads then the trail along this section. As you
enter Lighthouse Park the trail turns to paving stones and improves
greatly. Picnic tables and benches are located here. You'll come to the Northern
Tip of the island and a lighthouse at 0.8 miles. If you look over towards
Manhattan you can see FDR Drive as it travels below Carl Schurz Park
along the Manhattan
Waterfront Greenway. The paved trail now travels South,
along the
Western Side of the island.
The trail reverts to paving stones
at times. This section is well done with great views of Manhattan. At around 1.7
miles the trail along the river becomes very narrow. Your better off utilizing
West Rd which parallels the trail. After 2 miles you'll pass by the NYC Subway's Roosevelt Island
Station on your left.
Here you'll again utilize West Rd as there is only a sidewalk available. Pass by
the Roosevelt Island Tram
Station on your left before traveling underneath the Queensboro Bridge. The paved trail
picks up again alongside the river at 2.2 miles passing by Coler-Goldwater
Specialty Hospital. Come to a gate and the entrance to SOUTHPOINT
PARK at 2.5 miles. Here you'll find restrooms and a water fountain and a
wide paved trail with no cars. This park contains lawns and gardens along with
the historic ruins of architect James Renwick's Smallpox Hospital, the city's
only landmark ruin (Featured in the Michael J. Fox movie For Love or Money).
Follow alongside the river (spur trails along your left) and past the hospital
ruins before coming to FDR FOUR
FREEDOMS PARK at 2.7 miles. Bikes are not allowed in the park
but be sure to check out the park, which extends to the Southern
Tip of the
island, on foot. Then continue left, East, past the ruins to the East
Side of the
island and back through Southpoint Park, North,
along the Eastern
Side of the
island. Pass through the gate and pick
up the trail on your right at 2.8 miles. East Rd parallels the trail on your
left as you travel past the Hospital and underneath the Queensboro Bridge
before coming to some sports fields at 3.2 miles.
Note; Left, West,
brings you to the Roosevelt Island Tram Station.
Continue alongside the river, passing by a spur trail on your left, which brings
you West up to NYC Subway's Roosevelt Island
Station and some places to eat. Continue past more recreational facilities
and housing before returning to the Roosevelt Island Bridge after a
3.8
mile Loop.
HH
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