The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced Sunday May 22:

… As of now, all permitted spaces, including McManus Field and Firefighters Field, will be closed until further notice. This precautionary measure is being taken as part of the Governors order for all New Yorkers to avoid risking exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Residents are encouraged to frequent the other public areas, such as the eastern and western promenades that circle the island as well as Lighthouse Park, Southpoint Park and Four Freedoms State Park. We encourage our residents to remain at least six feet apart from each other at all times…

A petition drive has begun to reopen the now closed Firefighters

and McManus Field


According to the online petition:

RIOC has made the decision to close all soccer fields on the Island, thus depriving families with kids of the only safe space for being outside. A big soccer field is the only space where families with kids can play and keep the recommended distance away from other people. If RIOC doesnt reconsider this decision we will be left with narrow crowded promenades and no space for active time out for kids.

Roosevelt Island resident Tapan Parikh raised issue of keeping fields open last week:

and adds today:

Parks and fields have not been closed at other NYC locations – including at Randalls Island or Asphalt Green. Turning off the lights and locking up the goals was a good step for McManus Field and will keep the large off-island groups away. If large groups still congregate in violation of the rules, PSD and local citizens can help inform them of the rules.

Mayor de Blasio said this morning that NYC parks will be open as long as Social Distancing rules are maintained by those using the parks. If not, they will be shut down.

… it’s really important We’re trying to give people a chance to use parks, use playgrounds. Have that one thing left in their life they can enjoy. But if there’s not real compliance with the rules, we’re going to have to tighten that up a lot more. I’m asking all New Yorkers, if you see someone violating the social distancing in a park or playground, you see crowding in a park or playground, please call 311 and NYPD and other agencies will come right away to address it. And now we’re saying, and I hate to to use these fines and penalties, but if we have to, people will get a serious penalty, a serioius fine if they don’t obey these social distancing rules.

Does RIOC closing McManus and Firefighters Field increase or decrease Social Distancing on Roosevelt Island? UPDATE 2:40 PM:

UPDATE 4/1 – Roosevelt islander Facebook comments support RIOC’s decision to close the fields: