Since August 2023, over eight (8) acres of NYC public parkland at Randall’s Island Park has been occupied by a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC) to house ~3,000 migrants. The facility is built on four (4) highly used athletic fields that served thousands of NYC children each season.

The fields were the most accessible and among the most popular fields at the park - representing 350,000 sq feet of opportunity for children all in need of a safe and open place to play. An estimated 8,000 playing hours will be lost this upcoming spring/summer if the facility remains. Behind every lost permit hour are hundreds of NYC kids missing out on the opportunity to be outside and play sports together.

In addition to the loss of field space, the facility has brought other challenges. Located at the park’s most popular access point from Manhattan, the 103rd Street Footbridge, the facility has resulted in illegal mopeds speeding across the bridge, park pathways and even playing fields as well as into our neighboring community of East Harlem, putting pedestrians at risk. Precious picnic areas and passive parkland for recreational use, are no longer available. Furthermore, with limited City resources for the HERRC, park security and maintenance have been compromised due to violent crimes, illegal vending, littering, and camping.

We empathize that the City is facing a crisis, but the use of NYC public parkland is not the answer. The use of Randall’s Island Park in this way, is not in the best interest of park patrons, local communities, or the migrants. It is not sustainable, nor is it safe or equitable, and the situation must change now.

We call on Mayor Adams to remove the migrant facility from Randall’s Island Park.

Parkland is precious and this is especially true in NYC where greenspace is limited. Randall's Island Park should be a place for the community to gather, children to play, and people to enjoy nature. It should be accessible and safe.

Support the park and our community by signing this petition to remove the HERRC, which we will share with local city, state, and federal officials.

Please note a confirmation email will be sent by change.org that must be confirmed to fully sign the petition.