Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Water Park for Randall's Island
By
tien mao
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
tien mao
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
No longer will children have to go to Hurricane Harbor or Dorney Park because the Daily News reports that the city has a proposal in hand for a $168 million, 26 acre water park on Randall's Island in the East River. The park, originally proposed in as a smaller 12 acre park in 1999, would be paid for by Aquatic Development Group, who would have a 35-year lease with the city. The park plans call for all your typical water park features like wave pools and water slides but also a manmade river for rafters and an indoor beach.
The proposal is under review by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee today and is opposed by Controller William Thompson, who has a seat on the FCRC and by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (he's no Marty), but Mayor Bloomberg is reported to have enough support to approve the park. Admission to the park, which could open as soon as summer of 2007, would be $25 for kids and $30 for adults. Gothamist found that according to the Randall's Island Sports Foundation website, the park was originally supposed to open this year - which means our excitment over it in 2003 will have to persist for another two years.
While no name has been selected yet for the proposed park, Gothamist thinks a fitting name might be Hell's Gate Water Park. Then again, that might not go over too well with the kiddies. But we wouldn't think the mental hospital and sewage plant on the adjacent Ward's Island would go over too well either.
Tagged
bloomberg
borough president
Borough President Scott Stringer
children
Concession Review Committee
daily news
east river
gothamist
hospital
hurricane
Hurricane Harbor
kids
manhattan
Manhattan Borough President
manhattan borough president scott stringer
mayor
mayor bloomberg
news
randall's island
real estate
review
scott stringer
sports
the city
william thompson
tien mao
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Federal judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit challenging NYC sanctuary laws
A Brooklyn judge ruled the federal government lacked standing to challenge city policies limiting cooperation with immigration authorities.
By
Phil Corso
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 9:13 p.m. ET
2 men charged in fatal fentanyl poisoning of NYC college student, alleged rape
Federal prosecutors say one man gave two women fentanyl disguised as cocaine in a Manhattan dorm, then raped one of them while she was unconscious. She later died.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
2 men charged in fatal fentanyl poisoning of NYC college student, alleged rape
Federal prosecutors say one man gave two women fentanyl disguised as cocaine in a Manhattan dorm, then raped one of them while she was unconscious. She later died.
By
Giulia Heyward
NYC spending on homelessness has soared. So has the number of people on the street.
By
Karen Yi
MTA’s Lieber reiterates opposition to ‘fast and free’ buses after violent incident
By
Carol Chen
Avila Chevalier insists her beef is with NYPD Commissioner Tisch, not Mamdani
By
Jimmy Vielkind
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .