Randalls and Wards Islands, Public park island in East Harlem, United States.
Randalls and Wards Islands form a 530-acre area in the East River between Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, accessible via several bridges. The park links formerly separate landmasses into one continuous recreational area with open green spaces and sports facilities.
The islands passed from Native American ownership to Dutch hands in 1637 and served agricultural purposes for centuries. During the 20th century, they were transformed into public parkland and gained numerous sports facilities for New York residents.
The name Randalls Island comes from Jonathan Randel, an 18th-century merchant, while Wards Island honors Jasper and Bartholomew Ward. Both islands were physically joined through landfill in the 1960s and now form a single connected park.
The park is best reached by car or by crossing the pedestrian bridge from East Harlem neighborhood. Visitors on foot should plan for extra time, as distances between different areas of the islands can be considerable.
A neighborhood farm on the grounds offers visitors the chance to experience urban agriculture firsthand and learn about sustainable growing methods. Beyond the playing fields, wetland areas provide habitat for various bird species and enable nature observation in the middle of the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
