The city has officially confirmed that our fields will remain open for our children and community programs. This outcome reflects the persistence of every person who took the time to advocate for the value of public play space. We should remain attentive to future land use decisions while taking a …
September 1, 2023
Final supporters
New York City, deeply challenged by a humanitarian crisis not of its own making, has decided to place a shelter for asylum-seekers at Randall’s Island Park – specifically on turf fields 82-83-84-85 – the most accessible and some of the most utilized and popular fields on the Island - representing 32000 sq feet of opportunity for children all in need of a safe and open place to play.
This is a space shared with many stakeholders – including public and private schools, community and after-school programs, as well as youth and adult athletic organizations. Randall’s Island Park offers invaluable opportunities for social interaction and athletic skill development. Playing with other children in parks and sports fields fosters teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and build friendships, developing essential social skills to serve them well throughout life. What we do and what our children learn is about so much more than just the sport itself.
This space is critical for maintaining irreplaceable opportunities for our children to achieve physical well-being in a city woefully short of safe and managed open spaces. Without this space, our children will spend more time indoors, leading to sedentary behaviors, increased screen time, and a higher risk of physical and mental health issues, something we all experienced during the recent pandemic.
There is no question that the City is facing a terrible crisis. That said, we strongly encourage the Mayor not to compound the problem by creating another that will have profound implications for children and families across the city. With respect to all those incredibly less fortunate, please find a new location that will uplift migrant families without denying parks and athletic fields to our children.
Please support us by signing this petition that we will share with local city, state, and federal officials in our effort to preserve Randall's Island fields 82-85 for children and the community
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
August 8, 2023
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 4, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
August 3, 2023
August 2, 2023
Reaching our first hundred signatures represents a significant step toward ensuring our public fields remain available for the children who rely on them. Please take a moment to forward this petition to a neighbor who values neighborhood play spaces so we can continue building this momentum together.
664 Comments
I am extremely sympathetic to the plight of immigrants and the difficult situation the city faces in finding adequate space for them. However I have to believe that another suitable location can be found that does not impact young people and families so much.
There are barely enough fields for My kids to play sports leaving our children having to play at odd and inconsistent times - adding this shelter will destroy our children’s sport life! We pay taxes and deserves to give our kids fields to play on!
Please do not take playing fields away from NYC children. We took so much away in 2020 and 2021, and we know sports is an important part of rebuilding their mental health. Our children have already sacrificed enough. Please, no more.
NYC children need a space to play sports. Randall’s Island athletic fields provide the best multi-purpose fields for schools, not-for-profits, and small businesses. Without access to fields, many families will have yet another reason to leave NYC.
As an immigrant I appreciate what the city is doing for them but definitely not to limit the complexities or parks which are the spaces where our youth is growing in a safe and physical environment.. definitely not agree on that!!
Illegal immigrants killed and continue to kill all around on Randall's Island. Animals struggle to be alive, all green zones covered by trash and dirt. Children lost places to make exercises and play all games on fresh air. Old and middle aged sitizens of NY don't have opportunities to see beauty of the island and breath fresh clean air. Mayor Adams SAVE THE ISLAND BEFORE IT NOT TO LATE.
This policy takes away educational resources for school children in NYC. It removes opportunities that teach kids how to work together to accomplish shared goals thru sports. This is mismanagement and reckless to say the least. NYC needs to fix this problem by giving back the fields to whom they are intended and re-locate migrants to a better suited area, perhaps within the NYC park resources. (non-field space) Field space in NYC has never met the demand it's supposed to serve. Taking away these fields is a tremendous disservice to education and the kids it serves.
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The city has officially confirmed that our fields will remain open for our children and community programs. This outcome reflects the persistence of every person who took the time to advocate for the value of public play space. We should remain attentive to future land use decisions while taking a …
September 1, 2023
Final supporters
New York City, deeply challenged by a humanitarian crisis not of its own making, has decided to place a shelter for asylum-seekers at Randall’s Island Park – specifically on turf fields 82-83-84-85 – the most accessible and some of the most utilized and popular fields on the Island - representing 32000 sq feet of opportunity for children all in need of a safe and open place to play.
This is a space shared with many stakeholders – including public and private schools, community and after-school programs, as well as youth and adult athletic organizations. Randall’s Island Park offers invaluable opportunities for social interaction and athletic skill development. Playing with other children in parks and sports fields fosters teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and build friendships, developing essential social skills to serve them well throughout life. What we do and what our children learn is about so much more than just the sport itself.
This space is critical for maintaining irreplaceable opportunities for our children to achieve physical well-being in a city woefully short of safe and managed open spaces. Without this space, our children will spend more time indoors, leading to sedentary behaviors, increased screen time, and a higher risk of physical and mental health issues, something we all experienced during the recent pandemic.
There is no question that the City is facing a terrible crisis. That said, we strongly encourage the Mayor not to compound the problem by creating another that will have profound implications for children and families across the city. With respect to all those incredibly less fortunate, please find a new location that will uplift migrant families without denying parks and athletic fields to our children.
Please support us by signing this petition that we will share with local city, state, and federal officials in our effort to preserve Randall's Island fields 82-85 for children and the community
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
August 8, 2023
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 4, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
August 3, 2023
August 2, 2023
Reaching our first hundred signatures represents a significant step toward ensuring our public fields remain available for the children who rely on them. Please take a moment to forward this petition to a neighbor who values neighborhood play spaces so we can continue building this momentum together.
664 Comments
There must be plenty of other locations they can use just in and around NYC. Taking away already sparse park space is a short-sighted and lazy measure. How about we take away some of the space used by police - like impound lots or parking spaces - instead?
I am extremely sympathetic to the plight of immigrants and the difficult situation the city faces in finding adequate space for them. However I have to believe that another suitable location can be found that does not impact young people and families so much.
There are barely enough fields for My kids to play sports leaving our children having to play at odd and inconsistent times - adding this shelter will destroy our children’s sport life! We pay taxes and deserves to give our kids fields to play on!
Please do not take playing fields away from NYC children. We took so much away in 2020 and 2021, and we know sports is an important part of rebuilding their mental health. Our children have already sacrificed enough. Please, no more.
NYC children need a space to play sports. Randall’s Island athletic fields provide the best multi-purpose fields for schools, not-for-profits, and small businesses. Without access to fields, many families will have yet another reason to leave NYC.
As an immigrant I appreciate what the city is doing for them but definitely not to limit the complexities or parks which are the spaces where our youth is growing in a safe and physical environment.. definitely not agree on that!!
Illegal immigrants killed and continue to kill all around on Randall's Island. Animals struggle to be alive, all green zones covered by trash and dirt. Children lost places to make exercises and play all games on fresh air. Old and middle aged sitizens of NY don't have opportunities to see beauty of the island and breath fresh clean air. Mayor Adams SAVE THE ISLAND BEFORE IT NOT TO LATE.
This policy takes away educational resources for school children in NYC. It removes opportunities that teach kids how to work together to accomplish shared goals thru sports. This is mismanagement and reckless to say the least. NYC needs to fix this problem by giving back the fields to whom they are intended and re-locate migrants to a better suited area, perhaps within the NYC park resources. (non-field space) Field space in NYC has never met the demand it's supposed to serve. Taking away these fields is a tremendous disservice to education and the kids it serves.
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There must be plenty of other locations they can use just in and around NYC. Taking away already sparse park space is a short-sighted and lazy measure. How about we take away some of the space used by police - like impound lots or parking spaces - instead?