As 2009 arrives on Randall’s Island, work hums along on the Sports Fields Development Project. As you can see in the photos below, winter has not deterred progress on the Island. Turf has been laid at the Wards Meadow Fields, shown below top, and work continues toward preparing these lighted soccer fields for play. Over at the Sunken Garden Fields, shown below bottom, the sub-base has been put in and the fields await their topcoat of artificial turf. These two sets of fields, along with the Central Fields, will be opening this spring.

By spring of 2009, three new bus shelters will be installed along the main roadway of Wards Island – the route of the M35 bus – making public transportation more visible, convenient and pleasant no matter the weather. The new shelters will be the same as state-of-the-art bus shelters recently installed around the city, as shown at right. They will be located: opposite Icahn Stadium and accessing also the Tennis Center and Sunken Meadow Fields; near the Central Fields; and near the Sunken Garden Fields.

Cirque du Soleil returns to Randall’s Island Park! Get ready to experience the newest touring show from Cirque du Soleil, KOOZA™! KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor. Performances begin on April 16, 2009, under the Grand Chapiteau at the Park. Tickets go on sale January 18, 2009 and can be purchased by visiting cirquedusoleil.com or by calling 1-800-678-5440.

The doors will open at Icahn Stadium for the 2009 season on Tuesday, March 10. Highlights of the 2009 schedule include:

April 11 - The New York City Mayor’s Cup • April 17 & 18 - New York Relays • May 17 - Mount Sinai & New York Road Runners Foundation Health & Wellness Jamboree • May 23 - Catholic High School Athletic Association Intersectional Championship • May 30 - Reebok Grand Prix • June 7 - Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) City Championship • June 12 & 13 - Empire State Game Trials • August 12 - City Parks Foundation Starting Blocks • September 12 & 13 - New York Road Runners 24 Hour Ultra Marathon

Please go to www.icahnstadium.org for more information.