Randall's Island, Socrates Park Solstice Celebration

This is a longish walk from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and Socrates Park via the 103rd Street Pedestrian Bridge, stopping en route to rest and maybe enjoy some snacks. There are terrific views of the Hell Gate Bridge from the park. There is a community garden; from the NYC Parks website: "Discover an abundant variety of fruits and vegetables, an active composting system!"

We will then continue onward using the walkway of the not so pedestrian friendly RFK bridge (you may know it as the Triborough). We end at Socrates Park to catch the Solstice Celebration.

Tickets required but they are FREE

From there you can catch the Ferry to Manhattan and points south.

Randall's Island
Randall’s Island Park comprises most of an island in the East River, between East Harlem, the South Bronx and Astoria, Queens. One of the city’s main recreation hubs, the Park has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, in large part through the vision and support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in keeping with his historic citywide commitment to the preservation of open spaces and waterfront restoration and development. In 1992, the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) was established to revive the park, and began working alongside the City of New York and the Department of Parks & Recreation to develop sports and recreational facilities, maintain the Park and restore its natural environment. It is the site of Icahn Stadium, an IAAF-certified track & field facility, a renovated golf center, nine acres of restored wetlands, a 20-court tennis center, more than 60 playing fields and miles of waterfront bike and pedestrian pathways.

There are still rehab centers there. I walked in one and turned around quickly in case they thought I should stay for a spell.

• We meet at the 103rd Street Playground, by the steps to the 103rd street pedestrian bridge.
• Photos taken along the route are here.
• The pedestrian entrance to the RFK bridge is 45 steps. There's a long bicycle ramp, but even then you will need to go up 10 steps on each end of the bridge. Robert Moses added nice touches like that.
• Total distance is about 3.5 miles, wear good shoes.
• We start at 103rd street in Manhattan