Newsday from New York, New York • 80

U'ai'i F-r t. i 'Vt'4 i k4 I tiil ti9'4 i i 4 jirtXJi el m4 4 i-n a ft oMJ- i a 4 1 i-W; In the sliver of Manhattan across East River, open spaces and trees have high profiles By Steve Schneider Fhotas Lm Romero Shops on Main Street If residents want to see a movie, its a local video store or a trip to Manhattan 'm 9-ft i' HE RED TRAMS glide slowly over the East River, escaping the hectic pace of Manhattan for the tranquil environs of Roosevelt Island. Tram riders looking out the windows of the airborne vehicles see trucks, cabs and hordes of cars driving south on Second Avenue. High-priced boutiques, high-rise apartments and office buildings are left behind in the crowded landscape as the tram makes its slow ride across the East River. Its as if all aboard have plunked down a subway token in exchange for a great island getaway vacation.

Once delivered, people notice the difference between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island immediately. The ride up Main Street is tranquil and the speed limit an unhurried 15 mph. Red buses greet the trams arrival for a free ride up Main. Traffic on Main is so manageable that disabled people feel safe enough to travel in their wheelchairs unescorted. Some drive their motorized wheelchairs from the south end of the island where Goldwater Hospital is located.

Others negotiate the uncluttered roads and streets after leaving the one island apartment complex set aside for senior citizens and disabled people. Its hard to believe that Manhattan Island is just a stones throw away from Roosevelt, which is under the political jurisdiction of Manhattan but gets uniformed services from Queens. The many little parks, Bhrubbery, flowers and even community gardens that dot Roosevelt Island clearly communicate the message that on this 2V4-mile-long sliver of land, which is home to about 7,000 people, open space is important. The many red signs on Main Street help give the island, a mere 300 yards east of Manhattan, a small-town feeL Flower shop, travel agency and hardware store are announced by unpretentious red signs with white lettering. A circular community notice message board, also marked in red, allows residents to communicate with their follow islanders.

Save our ballet school reads one sign. "Ven- ''rJ On the Nawadajr Tom Redmond tram between Manhattan and Roosevelt friends during the summer. Sometimes during the long, warm nights they sit around and chat until 1 in the morning: The view can be breathtaking: The bell, the fancy old church, the apartment buildings sloping downward toward the water so as not to block the view of the East River. All this plus a childrens playground and, of course, red park benches, create a warmth and beauty not easily replicated in most overcrowded New York City neighborhoods. But the great amount of open space also means that some needs go unmet on the island.

For example, there is no movie theater. Entertainment seekers have several options. They can take the tram to Manhattan to catch a movie. Others can travel over a bridge linking the with Queens. And VCR owners can rent a video from the Roosevelt Island Video Center.

Some residents, videocassette in hand, are known to stop off at the and Deli and Grocery to pick up some beer before the store closes at 10 p.m. Others visit the Grog Shop, the islands only liquor store. Athletically inclined individuals have more choices. The paddle-ball courts, basketball courts and baseball field are sited toward the north end of the island. There is a small park with trees and benches separating the baseball field from the other courts.

The scene is appealing. Here residents can take their choice of watching a sporting event, playing cards, chess or checkers in the tables, or simply watching boats passing by cm the East River. ill Steve Schneider it a free-lance writer. dors wanted says an advertisement for a flea market sponsored by group of senior citizens. At Christmas, the token booth at the tram is decked out with colorful Christmas lights, red and green balls, and dolls of Mr.

and Mrs. Santa Claus. Tinsel is all around, and a red banner proclaims love to all. The only co-op building on the Island is the Rivercross. Then there is a batch of empty space, fallowed by red-brick sidewalk that brings islanders to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

The chapel is a registered landmark building. A bell from the chapels roof has now been mounted on a cement block to the side of the facade. John Broderick, who has lived on Roosevelt Island for 12 years, likes to hang out here with his i i i i i i.