Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

Category:	Park
Address:	1 FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
Phone:	+1 212-204-8831
Site:	fdrfourfreedomspark.org
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–5PM Closed 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 59

isholin

This is a true New York Jewel that is seldomly visited by locals. It’s a Park, its Architecture, Its Landscape Design, Its Fresh Air, Views, Trees and much more. The easiest way to get here is to take the Roosevelt Island tram from East 60th and Second avenue and to the South you start to see the Park BUT I recommend you take the subway and walk. Walk towards the Queensboro Bridge and you will have inspiring views of Manhattan to your right; the future Cornell-Technion University, Long Island City and the remnants of the Old Smallpox Hospital to your left. The memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt was announced by Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor John Lindsay in 1973, and yet due to financial instability, the death of its architect Louis Kahn, and changes within NY State leadership, plans for the memorial were put aside. Gina Pollara completed Khan’s work with the help of his detailed sketches in 2014. My favorite way to make a grand entrance to the park is by using the stairs at the base of the triangle. As you go up you start to see the lawn, trees and perimeter walls converging on FDR’s bust made by Jo Davidson; all on a downward slope pointing to the river. To the right you see Manhattan, to the left Queens and in front one can see Brooklyn; the park is surrounded by water. Behind FDR’s bust you can see the Four Freedoms that were part of his 1941 state of the union address which are a tenet of American Values and still hold true after more than a half century: Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. I believe Khan would have wanted to make the park entirely out of concrete but the final version was completed with a magnificent granite-and lots of it. The park follows Khan’s signature architectural style: clean lines, intriguing perspectives, spare landscaping, triangular lines that draw the eye. All this makes for a one-of-a-kind experience very worthwhile visiting- even for New Yorkers.

Carlos Aragon D.

Wonderful memorial park in honor of one of the most popular and famous American presidents, has a statue of him and a wonderful wooded parkland, finishing at the end of the island also with his name, dedicated in his honor. You can admire a breathtaking view of both Manhattan just opposite the UN building and across the area of Queens. The walk from the cable car station and the Metro is very quiet and pleasant, on a wooded and peaceful boardwalk. You can also admire the old hospital building that existed there for many years.

Flavia De Falco

Such a calm and breathtaking view of Manhattan! Far from the tourist. ----------------- To get there just take the tram to roosevelt island on 60th and second, costs like a stroke of a meter, and is included in case you have one of the monthly or weekly passes! The view is nothing short of breathtaking, especially at sunset, the city skyline is silhouetted sharp and close, offering unique emotions in a place a bit touristy and always very quiet!

Vic Voroshilov

Island between Manhattan and Brooklyn. With him in the evening, at sunset with beautiful views! You can walk along the promenade. True, she is not short. About a kilometer. There are furnished free toilets! Range video camera. Walk geese. But the memorial was closed. While come ride the bus around, strolled after dark. Photo failed to capture this process

Ronald Meltzer

Living on Roosevelt Island, I have been there many times. Today was most enjoyable, as a tour guide answered many of my questions about the design. However, I agree with Judy Berdy of the need for shelter for those who work there. It seems hypocritical to have a park dedicated to Franklin Roosevelt and his four freedoms, including the freedom from want, and to treat your workers so shabbily. I have seen workers shivering in the cold and told that they are up there in the rain. Please do the right thing and have a guard house or enclosed shelter. After all, this is the FDR Memorial and not the Michael Bloomberg museum.

Matthias Leitner

Dreamlike Island, within easy reach (my recommendation if you have time by the cable car), almost a secret (until the under construction Campus is ready). Unfortunately, the rest is marred by the buzzing around helicopters.

Uwe Haertel

And again a found treasure in a metropolis. If you can, you should spend half a day here. Very interesting with super views to all sides and ride on the cable car in NY ... to subway fares ...

Eco Victor

Cute little park in the south end of Roosevelt Island. Super quiet and with excellent views of NYC, in particular the UN building. You can reach by subway, but it would be advisable cableway.

Luis Koffler

Beautiful place to find peace and quiet on such a busy city, walk the waterfront and reach the monument, on the right see the UN building, go in the Tramway

diego junca

It is one of los.mejores places I know, is very quiet and ideal for walking, recently opened a new attraction, the ideal is to take the cable car at the end

Mao Palomo Jimenez

The best travel secret is knowing Island Roosevelt Island, it is still not flooded with thousands of tourists, and you can spend a peaceful time in the big city.

Matthias Hamdorf

The rows of trees are very pretty, and the view to Manhattan is great. The park is a bit difficult very sober and still disturbs the adjacent construction site.

Savyo Maia

Beautiful . Typical target who is local and NYC or researched enough. If you are staying at Queens and worth the quick trip and very interesting

Nelson Salazar

A beautiful, especially for walking and taking good pictures of Manhattan. Park It can and in the subway and returned by the cable at the same rate.

Andrea Distefano

Place of contemplation and silence! A perfect tribute to luis Kahn and his genius !! Recommend taking the cable car ... sensational experience

Aidan Lewis

A Washington DC style memorial to FDR and his four freedoms speech, the park is located at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. Excellent views of the city are visible from throughout the park. The lawn and trees are well kept and the park is clean. The memorial is not usually crowded and is a more peaceful part of New York.

William Luiz Antunes Gurzoni

unforgettable place! A small island that is well worth the ride. To get just get a kind of cable car, it accepts the same metro card.

minh truong Truong

In Washington, DC, between the Potomac River with Roosevelt Island, a US president, by donating his own family, is nature reserve.

Chanel B

FDR Park is a beautiful and relaxing park overlooking the east side of Manhattan and the west side of Queens & Brooklyn. You can walk through the lined trees, sit by the water, and you can people-watch. It is a great place for anyone; you can bring your family, significant other, or you can enjoy it alone.

Derek Walker

This park is beautiful, great aesthetic design. The memorial is very clean, although not extremely functional. At some points it just seems like a waste of stone... and a waste of a lot of other things considering it took like 40 years to build. But at the end of the day, it is beautiful and worth a visit.

Érico Loyola

Definitely go there with you are in need of some relaxation. A very improbable and peaceful place that exist just in-between Manhattan and Brooklyn. The tram ride is fun in itself, and walking in the park can be really interesting, specially because you can get a different view of Manhattan.

L San

Beautiful place for relax and enjoy the beauty that the island. They can not stop coming to this place if visiting NY

Phyllis A Sears

If you want to get away from the city in a new way, take the tram to Roosevelt Island. The 4 Freedoms Park at the southern tip, the glorious cherry trees that bloom in the spring along the western shore, and just the small town feel make this a close place to get away.

Uwe Haertel

If one is the 2nd or 3rd time in NY, you should translate simply times with the cable car to Roosevelt Iceland ....

Carlos Gonzalez

- A minimalist park, but with a nice view of Manhattan and Long Island City. A fairly quiet place to take a walk and relax. - Un parque minimalista, pero con una linda vista de Manhattan y Long Island City. Un lugar bastante tranquilo para dar un paseo y relajarse.

완진이

Really good for you, but there are good views good place to walk many birds maneuni shit careful. The bathroom is on the left side to enter the park.

sabine de wit

Beautiful place, little frequented by tourists! Long stroll walk with beautiful views of Manhattan!

Lemuel Ted

I am very upset and I am not the only one! Google tells you the park closes at 7 PM when it closes at 5 PM! $5.50 of MTA subway ride. Never mind the inconvenience of getting here on the weekend with MTA. I am yet to see this park open.

samuel ferreira

It has a beautiful view of the city. The best is to come in the cable car, uses the same metro ticket.

Sofi Bianchi

Very nice walk. The island is very quiet, completely different from Manhattan. Go to this place

ZHUANG Guo

ARCHITECT Louis Kahn LOCATION New York City, New York, United States GPS Latitude(40.74972915649414), Longitude(-73.96135711669922) DATE 2012 STYLE Modern - Mass TYPE Public - Plaza ALIAS Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

Rachel Antonio

Roosevelt Island is a residential island and park. There are also hospitals and a few restaurants on it. It is fully functioning accessible by F train subway and the Roosevelt Island tram. Great place for a bike ride and bbq.

Joachim Schütt

It was fun to walk around the island. made beautiful pictures of the skyline and Lighthouse

Matt Pineiro

A great hidden treat to reward the somewhat long walk from transit. Beautiful views of Manhattan, and the design of the park itself is great as well. The park is a nice tribute to one of our most well-known presidents.

Stef Lindeman

Park is often overlooked by tourists and is nice and quiet while the view is amazing!

Sarah

There is geese poop literally everywhere. There is however a public restroom and a nice view. However, certain areas are blocked off that would make spectacular views. The smallpox hospital looks haunting at dusk.

R N

Brand New Park. Clean and with clean restrooms. Wheelchair accessible. Feels very unique, safe and not like other parks. Surrounded by water, and skyscrapers. A must go place for every New Yorker and Tourist.

Miad Hoque

This is one for the locals, the park is kept spotless and regularly maintained by park staff, a booth person, and has regular presence from the NYPD. Incredible views of Long Island City and Lower Manhattan.

Ali R.

Great little place to visit for a walk. Get a nice view of Manhattan. The walk ways are a treat too. Entire park is very pristine. Plus, you get to walk by the historic Small Pox hospital which is different.

Benjamin

The island itself is weird is a good way. I had no idea it was there but was taken by a friend living in the city. The monument is fantastic and the cable car to travel to/from is a great experience on top.

The Corcoran Group

The most fun and different way to travel here is the tram - amazing views of Manhattan. You can also get here via the F train. The island is small, peaceful and very manageable if you want to walk it.

Abhinav Saraswat

Nice relaxing place to either wind down your holiday or to just to get away from the rush of Manhattan. Panoramic views across the water way and enough greenery to enjoy for 20mins or a few hours.

Paw Dugan

A small but patriotic park right of the team or subway. Wonderful breezes and great view of the city. Slightly less great views of Queens though so just.. keep your eyes westwards.

Julia Garrido Piñero

Spectacular views of Manhattan. The cable car is paid with MetroCard

Joe Cardillo

Super cool little island, easy to access via an MTA run tram, beautiful park and riverside view. Definitely worth a visit, and his place to go or take visiting friends & family.

Francisco Javier Lopez Tapia

The site is well maintained and has spectacular views of New York.

Phyllis A Sears

Go on a beautifully sunny day. Like most of Roosevelt Island, you feel like you are removed from the city but have beautiful views back to the Manhattan and Queens skylines.

元元

Roosevelt Island Park very beautiful You can see across the street And across the UN headquarters

Anna Cláudia dos Santos Nobre

great ride ... I recommend using cable car (with subway ticket)

Hector Castro

A very good place to meet. Recommended to use the cable car.

Neill Wills

Disappointed. South end of the island currently under going major construction work. And the Roosevelt Park was closed, very random to be closed on a Tuesday.

曹家庆

Naozhongqujing a good place, from south to north about walking 12100 The number of steps.

翟泉

Here is a look at the whole picture of the United Nations building sites, few people quiet.

Nando Speers

Spectacular Park with amazing view of UN and other Manhattan building. A great restaurant open now at the campus of the University ! Great place !!

Peter Coutinho

Great views. Never really crowded. Be warned! No picnics, no bikes, pretty restrictive. And for a monument to FDR, not wheelchair accessible!

David Tanamachi

A nice and relatively unexplored park in NY. The views of Manhattan from Roosevelt Island are stunning and the best part is to ride the tram.

Ask la Cour Rasmussen

People with a soft spot for clean beautiful architecture will get their expectations met. The surrounding view of New York is breathtaking.