July 12th is City of Water Day!
A free day of water-themed fun throughout New York and New Jersey. Come celebrate at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island.
Surrounded by water views of the Manhattan skyline and the United Nations, it is the perfect setting to connect more deeply with our coastlines. This year’s theme is climate resilient communities.
“City of Water Day invites us to reflect not only on the beauty and importance of our waterways, but on the freedoms they represent—access, resilience, and the right to a healthy environment. Four Freedoms Park Conservancy is proud to partner with organizations like iDig2Learn in honoring President Roosevelt’s vision of a world free from want and fear by inspiring stewardship, equity, and care for our shorelines and communities.” Howard Axel, CEO, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy
From 12 pm to 3 pm play lawn games, make whale origami crafts and visit the iDig2Learn marine touch table.
At 2 pm Interdisciplinary Artist Christopher Bisram returns for a dance performance called Introspection at 2 pm.
Christina Delfico, iDig2Learn, founder says “We are thrilled to team up with the park again. We received a grant from Hudson River Foundation, the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program and the Waterfront Alliance to support Chrisbisram/ShakunDavi Dance performance. The work seeks to remind NYC communities that there are waterways right under our feet which we haven’t acknowledged and highlights Luyster Creek in Queens. The public is invited to bring a water memory item or something that reminds them of someone and will have an opportunity to learn a dance move with the performers too.”
“While developing the choreography for Introspection, I found myself more curious about the more mundane aspects of Luyster Creek, such as the fence that once surrounded it, the desire to touch its waters, and the hook-like shape that the creek has when you look at it on the map. These aspects of Luyster are what helped me to create a site specific piece that can be done in spaces that are not the site,” says Christopher Bisram, Interdisciplinary Artist of ShakunDavi Dance
“Celebrating City of Water Day at FDR Four Freedoms State Park is a way of acknowledging the presence of nature that surrounds us in the form of urban waterways. The East River, a tidal estuary and its tributaries, are a powerful force of nature, teaming with plant and animal life that we will honor and learn about on Saturday, July 12th.” stated Angela Stangenberg, Park Director.
Now in its 18th year, City of Water Day — taking place this year on Saturday, July 12 — is a region-wide day organized by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), to champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.
City of Water Day is a region-wide day of free, family-friendly events on and near the water—raising awareness about the risks we all face from climate change and sea level rise, and championing a resilient, accessible, and equitably shared waterfront.
This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” highlights the power of connected communities in preparing for and responding to climate change. Whether it’s checking on neighbors during heatwaves or working together on local recovery after storms, community connection is key to resilience.
Dozens of communities across all five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland counties, and New Jersey will host events on and near the water that celebrate the importance of a resilient and equitably shared waterfront. From free kayaking to rowing to hands-on workshops, these events offer community members opportunities for fun, education, and access to their local waterfront.
During the 2024 City of Water Day celebration at FDR Four Freedoms Park, Ms Delfico showed us the aquatic life that can be found in the waters of NYC and Roosevelt Island shoreline.
More info on City of Water Day is here.
