Randalls Island Island

Address: Randalls Island Park, Randalls Island, New York, NY

Website: https://www.randallsisland.org/

Hours: Park daily 6:00am-10:00pm

Admission: Free (park entry).

Randalls Island is a large park and recreation island in the East River between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx in New York City. It forms part of Randall’s and Ward’s Islands Park and is used mainly for sports facilities, open space and event hosting.

The island contains multiple organised sports fields, the Icahn Stadium athletics complex, community recreation facilities and managed natural areas. It regularly hosts large outdoor events and city athletic programmes, and offers riverfront walking and cycling routes with views across the East River.

Originally used for varied industrial, institutional and landfill purposes, the island was gradually converted to parkland in the late 20th century through city and nonprofit-led redevelopment. The site now emphasises sports, recreation and ecological restoration.

Randalls Island sits in the East River adjacent to northern Manhattan and western Queens, connected by the RFK/Triborough Bridge and pedestrian links. It lies between the Manhattan and Queens shorelines within New York City.

• Transport connections: The island is connected to Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx by the RFK/Triborough Bridge and several pedestrian and bicycle bridges, making it accessible without a car.
• Event venue: It is a frequent site for large outdoor events, including multi-day music festivals and city-run sports events, particularly during late spring to early autumn.

What to See#

• Icahn Stadium: Icahn Stadium hosts track and field meets and community athletics programmes and includes a 5,000-seat grandstand and all-weather track surface.
• Sports fields and recreation areas: Extensive sports fields and pitches across the island provide space for soccer, rugby, baseball and community sports, managed as part of Randalls Island Park.
• Waterfront and parkland: Riverside promenades and managed natural areas fringe the island, providing views across the East River to Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.

From Manhattan: walk the Randalls Island Connector footbridge from at or near 103rd Street and FDR Drive (the pedestrian bridge deposits visitors near the island’s main paths). From Queens and the Bronx: the RFK/Triborough Bridge has ramps onto the island for cars; the M35 bus runs island routes on event days. Parking is limited during large events - public transit and the pedestrian bridge are recommended.

• Use the pedestrian bridge from Manhattan at 103rd Street and the FDR - it's the most pleasant arrival and drops visitors next to the greenway.
• If coming for a sporting event or Governors Ball, arrive early and leave by the pedestrian bridge to bypass vehicle traffic on the RFK/Triborough.
• Bring binoculars for birdwatching - the island's reed beds host city-flirting herons and marsh wrens that most attendees miss.