It happens every year during Cherry Blossom season.
Visitors come pulling down, breaking and shaking the tree branches to watch the petals fall to the ground. As one resident reported yesterday:
I just saw some disrespectful visitors breaking branches from one of our Cherry Trees, the one next to Piccolo Trattoria. I scolded them but they could care less. It was a group of ladies.
I told them do not break our trees. You are more than welcome to come and visit but if everyone did the same there would be no Cherry Trees to enjoy. I was so upset, I had a hard time finding the right words. I should have looked meaner. RIOC should consider putting up some signs and imposing hefty fines.
During the April 1 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Cherry Blossom Community Preparation online meeting, resident Jennifer Engstler had a suggestion for protecting our Cherry Trees from visitors damaging the trees. Ms Engstler suggested:
I’ve lived on this island a long time. In the past five or six years it’s just gotten so much… Ask Islanders if they want to volunteer to be a Cherry Blossom Ranger because you can have all the signs in the world but people don’t read them or if they do read them they don’t care. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people take pictures and they they pull the branches down and they snap off flowers.
I’m sure other people have seen it and I just think it would be a nice idea to perhaps during daylight hours have a Cherry Blossom Ranger to hang out by the trees and monitor people they see wanting to take pictures and say “hey instead of grabbing the branches let me take a picture of you” or just kindly, gently remind people not to touch the trees. That is my idea, that’s my suggestion
And guess what? RIOC listened and is implementing the idea of recruiting Roosevelt Island Cherry Tree Petal Protectors. According to RIOC:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community,
As spring blossoms across Roosevelt Island, our beloved cherry trees are once again taking center stage—drawing visitors from near and far to admire their beauty. To help preserve these iconic trees for future generations, we’re launching a new volunteer initiative: Cherry Blossom Petal Protectors.
This idea grew directly out of our recent Cherry Blossom Season Community Prep Meeting, where residents voiced a shared desire to help protect the trees and educate visitors about respectful behavior. We heard you—and we’re making it happen together.
We’re calling on community members to sign up for 2-hour volunteer shifts—especially on weekends—during peak bloom season. As a Petal Protector, your mission will be simple but meaningful:
- Greet visitors and hand out palm cards encouraging respectful behavior
- Remind guests to look, not touch—no climbing or picking from the trees
- Help us keep the cherry blossom experience safe, clean, and beautiful
Volunteers will be stationed along the West and East Promenades where foot traffic runs highest. All volunteers will be required to register online, review our Petal Protector Guide Deck, and complete a waiver before participating.
If you love the cherry blossoms and want to help protect them, we’d love to have you join us!
Click here to sign up and learn more.
What Do I Do on the Day I Volunteer?
You’ve selected your date and time for volunteering through our online portal—thanks again! On the day of your Petal Protector shift, here’s what to do:
- Arrive at the front desk of Sportspark’s west side entrance (250 Main Street) about 5–10 minutes before your shift begins.
- Check in with the Sportspark front desk team, review the Petal Protector Guide Deck and sign your waiver.
- Once you’ve signed your waiver, you’ll receive your Petal Protector pink vest, cherry blossom palm cards, and sunglasses. Then you’re all set to head out and keep an eye on our beautiful cherry blossoms!
- At the end of your shift, please return the vest and any remaining palm cards to the Sportspark front desk. (You get to keep the sunglasses as a THANK YOU!)
Thank you for helping us celebrate and safeguard one of Roosevelt Island’s most cherished traditions!
Sincerely,
Team RIOC
Roosevelt Island’s first Petal Protector was volunteering today.
RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels reports:
Island resident Yin Su was out and about today handing out palm cards and keeping an eye on things. 17 volunteers have signed up so far.
Here’s RIOC’s Cherry Blossom Operation Plan shared during the April 1 community meeting.