DT Council members climbing stairs in Four Freedoms Park

Photo: Sam Lahoz

Nearly fifty Design Trust Council members attended an exclusive tour of Four Freedoms Park and private reception on Roosevelt Island with executive director Gina Pollara and Jonathan Yeadon of Sciame Construction.

In 1973, the year that Welfare Island was renamed Roosevelt Island, architect Louis Kahn presented his plans for a memorial honoring FDR and his groundbreaking 'Four Freedoms' speech. It took almost forty years for Kahn's vision to be realized, but the result is one of New York City's most exciting new public spaces.

During the Design Trust Council's behind-the-scenes tour of Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island, we experienced the power of Kahn's architecture, admired the allées of Littleleaf Linden trees, in precise alignment with Jo Davidson's bust of FDR, and gained insight into the construction challenges of a site surrounded by water - learning how each 36-ton granite block arrived on the island by barge, and how rising water levels have affected the design.

Four Freedoms Park Executive Director Gina Pollara, and project manager Jonathan Yeadon, of  Sciame Construction, gave us the inside scoop on the park's history and development, and good conversation, tasty canapés and dramatic weather made Reinventing Roosevelt one of our most successful annual events to date.

Photos (40)

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Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Founder and Board President Andrea Woodner pointing to the UN from inside the park. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council brochures

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Guests enjoying Four Freedoms Park tour

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Deputy Director Megan Canning with Council member Jean-Gabriel Neukomm

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Executive Director Susan Chin 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Executive Director Susan Chin 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Development Manager Ruth Cole with Council member Michael McTwigan

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Engraving of the Four Freedoms, as pronounced in President Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union speech

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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1,050-pound bronze sculpture of President Roosevelt

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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DT Council viewing 1,050-pound bronze sculpture of President Roosevelt

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Director of Programs Rosamond Fletcher

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Four Freedoms Executive Director Gina Pollara speaking to the Design Trust Council members about the park. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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The group heading from the tip of the Island to the reception. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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DT Council members enjoying reception after tour

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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DT Council members enjoying reception after tour

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Four Freedoms Executive Director Gina Pollara showing off one of the key vantage points. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Adam Greenfield speaking with Design Trust Executive Director Susan Chin

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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DT Council members gathering for tour of Four Freedoms Park

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Council members Joe Kusnick, Sylvia Smith and Charles McKinney

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Jonathan Yeadon, Project Manager at F.J. Sciame Construction, speaking to the group about building the park. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council member Jean Parker Phifer

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council co-chair John Keenen with guests

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council co-chair John Keenen and guest

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council co-chair John Keenen welcoming everyone

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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FDR Four Freedoms Park lawn

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Guests looking at Four Freedoms Park dedication books

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Guests observing Manhattan skyline from Four Freedoms Park

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council member Jean-Gabriel Neukomm with Design Trust Deputy Director Megan Canning and Adam Greenfield. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Four Freedoms Park reception table

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust board member Sylvia Smith speaking with Deputy Director Megan Canning and Director of Programs Rosamond Fletcher. 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Jonathan Yeadon, Project Manager at F.J. Sciame Construction, and Four Freedoms Executive Director Gina Pollara

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Four Freedoms Park stone steps

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Guests gathering for Four Freedoms Park tour

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust board member Sylvia Smith with Council member Erica Stoller

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Design Trust Council member Julie Saul 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council member Tim Braine and guest

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Tour guests walking by Smallpox Hospital, commonly known as the Renwick Ruin

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Design Trust Council member and Fellow Barbara Wilks 

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Guests enjoying Four Freedoms Park tour

Photo: Sam Lahoz

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Four Freedoms Park reception

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