Nature Rx
Roosevelt Island and Cornell Tech Campus
- Cornell Tech Campus Lawn
- Southpoint Park with Manhattan Healing Forest and Cat Sanctuary
A breathtaking seven-acre park with beautiful views and historical landmarks. The park is full of native flowers and plants, a healing forest, a cat and wildlife sanctuary, and views of the East River. - FDR Four Freedoms Park
Spectacular park dedicated to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The four-acre memorial offers sweeping views of the United Nations, Manhattan, and Queens, along with sculpture and beautiful landscape architecture. - Cherry Tree Walk — East and West Loop Roads
Take five minutes to stroll along the walking path parallel to West Loop Road and the East River and enjoy the stunning cherry trees. No matter the season, they are beautiful. However, they are especially gorgeous in April when they bloom. - Meditation Steps
Take a 10-minute walk up to the Meditation Steps. Sit on the steps and watch the sunset or the boats go by in the river. By the time you return to campus, you’ll feel refreshed. - Roosevelt Island Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Take a stroll or the Red Bus over to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, and other items from local vendors. Location varies seasonally. - Roosevelt Island Garden Club/Community Garden
The community garden is open to the public every weekend from April 15 through Oct. 15. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. - Lighthouse Park with Girl Puzzle Monument
The Girl Puzzle honors Nellie Bly and other diverse women and girls who moved the needle toward equality and progress. Each face, rendered in partial sections that appear like giant puzzle pieces, shows a depth of emotion and complexity of being broken and repaired. As the viewer approaches and enters, they become part of the puzzle by interacting with the reflective surfaces and seeing sections of the faces come together at different vantage points. Above the waters of the East River at the northernmost stretch of Roosevelt Island, shines the fifty-foot-high Lighthouse. Built in 1872, the Lighthouse was designed by James Renwick, Jr., architect of the Smallpox Hospital and the Smithsonian Institute. - Walk around the perimeter of Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island is 2 miles long by 800 feet wide. There are dedicated pedestrian walkways along the island’s perimeter. It’s the perfect place to take a walk for five minutes or 45 minutes. You’ll discover something new each time. - Indoor Plants in the Bloomberg Center
Take a moment to notice the lovely potted plants in the Bloomberg Center’s public areas. Not only do they beautify an environment and allow people to connect with nature indoors (especially appreciated in winter months), but plants also help improve air quality by removing pollutants and releasing oxygen while reducing stress, improving mood, and even boosting productivity and creativity. - Look out the window
Beautiful views abound at Cornell Tech. Many of the health benefits of spending time in nature apply even when viewing nature from the inside looking out. Exposure to natural light has amazing benefits for our physical and mental health, helping improve focus, reduce stress, and increase overall life satisfaction. Take a moment to appreciate the open sky, moving water, sunset, moonlight, stars, and the wide variety of birds, plants, and trees.
Staying Active on Roosevelt Island
- Ping Pong Tables
Spend 10 minutes with a friend and play ping pong on the outdoor table next to the Tata Innovation Center. - Citi Bike Stations
Do you want to cycle but don’t have a bike? Hop on a Citi Bike, NYC’s ridesharing for bikes. The Citi Bike website has all the details and cost plans. - Pickleball Courts
Open from April 1 to Nov. 30, these courts are first-come, first-served. - Exercise Equipment
Walk around East Loop, South Loop, and North Loop Roads — the campus perimeter — and you will find outdoor exercise equipment.
New York City Nature
- Battery Park
- Bayswater Point State Park
- Bronx Zoo
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Carl Schurz Park
- Coney Island
- Central Park
- Central Park Zoo
- Cloisters
- East River Greenway/East River Esplanade
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- Governors Island
- Greenacre Pocket Park
- Green-Wood Cemetery
- Hudson River Park
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
- Little Island
- Manhattan Beach
- Manhattan Greenway Trail
- New York Botanical Garden
- Pelham Bay Park
- Randall’s Island
- Ravine at Prospect Park
- Ramble in Central Park
- Riverside Park
- Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
- Staten Island Greenbelt Hiking Trails
- Van Cortland Park
Resources
- Birding – Merlin Bird App
- Birding – NYC Birding Alliance
- Citi Bike
- Free Admission Pass – NYC Culture Pass
- Manhattan Waterfront Greenway Trail Map
- Hiking in NYC Parks
- Nature Conservancy
- NYC Nature Map
- New York City Parks
- New York City Park & Recreation 311 search portal
- New York City Tree Map
- New York State Parks in New York City
- Meetups
- Roosevelt Island Runners
About Nature Rx
Nature Rx @ Cornell is a university-wide initiative, represented by many individuals from Cornell’s campuses who have come together with a shared passion for how connection with nature can support every Cornellian’s well-being.
Many studies have shown that spending even small amounts of time in nature has positive impacts. Nature Rx aims to help more of our community members benefit from exploring the natural beauty on and around Cornell’s campuses!
Learn more about the connection between nature and your health.
Learn more about Nature Rx initiatives happening on Cornell University’s Ithaca, NY campus.
For more information, please contact naturerx@cornell.edu.