After the federal government sold the island to the people of New York, the city created the Trust for Governors Island, the organization charged with the operations, planning and redevelopment of 150 acres of the island. The remaining 22 acres were declared the Governors Island National Monument and is managed by the National Park Service.
The Trust is transforming Governors Island into a destination with great public open space, as well as educational, not-for-profit, and commercial facilities. Construction has been completed on 30 new acres of park and public spaces that will open for public use in May 2014. In summer of 2013, The Trust broke ground on the Hills, the crowning feature of the new park. Made of recycled construction and fill materials, The Hills will rise 25 to 80 feet above the Island, and the summit of the tallest Hill will provide visitors with a 360-degree panorama of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
Last year I went to Governors Island on the first day
it opened in May, visited again in July and in September, on the last day before it closed its 2013 season. When I went there on its opening day in May, the first improvement at the island can be seen from the ferry, in big white letters.
Another new development is the Welcome Wall at the Soissons Landing which provided visitors with a directional map and information.
Going around the island, I spied the bicycles for rent parked and lined up for the visitors to use and enjoy. Nobody used them that day, however, as it was still cold and very windy.
I also had the chance to go around the barracks buildings inside Fort Jay, one of the two forts in the Governors Island National Monument.
Lady Liberty was also a very welcome sight that day although access to the area of the island directly across her was restricted due to the ongoing construction of the new park.
I have read some articles about the Governors Island expansion so I proceeded to Liggett Hall to see the ongoing development.
Inside the arch, as you can see in the above picture, was a small temporary structure where visitors could stand and gaze at the ongoing development. There was also a before and after poster so people can have an idea what the new development would look like.
So I stood on that temporary structure that cold day in May last year and gazed at the ongoing development. Nothing much to see at that point but the base of some structures. I'm sure a lot of development was going on in areas not visible from the arch.
To my right was still more development and a great view of Lady Liberty.
It was just the first day of the 2013 season and I know I'd be back. Even if it was cloudy that day and the air still so nippy, Governors Island always has one of the best views of lower Manhattan across the harbor.
Summer was already in full swing the next time I was able to visit Governors Island in July 2013. It was the City of Water Day and most of the free boat rides originated from the island. There were many visitors, picnics and bicycle rides seem to be the order of the day.
Governors Island is home to Figment, an annual participatory arts event that aims to provide a forum for community-based art
and experience. Last year, the star of the show was the Head in the Clouds Pavilion which was made of 53,780 recycled bottles – the amount thrown away in New York City in only 1 hour.
As I continued to walk around the island, I chanced upon this delightful ride in the form of a pig. It was one of the rides in Fête Paradiso, the world’s first traveling festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels which made its American debut on Governors Island last summer.
I had a previous commitment that day but still stayed to get some shots and enjoyed the carnival atmosphere. The vintage rides and the games were awesome! You can see the rest of the rides in my Flickr album Fete Paradiso at Governors Island.
I also checked on the ongoing construction of the new park. The most obvious difference from my view at the temporary structure at Liggett Hall was that Building 877, the largest non-historic building on Governors Island, was no longer standing on the site it once occupied. It was imploded on June 9 to make way for the new park. You can watch a video of the implosion on this link.
As usual, Governors Island offered a great view of lower Manhattan shining across the New York harbor.
September 29 was the last day the island was open for the 2013 season and it was Park Preview Weekend. The public was invited to see the transformation of acres of landfill into an incredible park. Liggett Arch was the gateway to the new park which opens to the Liggett Terrace.
There were posters showing the proposed development and how the area looked before.
The Hammock Grove provides an area of filtered light and shade between the cultivated sunny space of Liggett Terrace and the open expanse of the Play Lawn and the Hills and Harbor beyond. Visitors come to the seven-acre grove to enjoy the seasons — spring’s first leaves, summer shade, and fall leaf colors. Hammocks set in the shade of the trees offer a quiet way to relax and the inspiration for this area’s name. Hammock Grove offers a wonderful respite and chapter in the park’s unfolding topography and views. Hammock Grove contains 300 new trees representing 55 species.
There were already a lot of planted saplings in the new park but I still saw some areas intended for trees that weren't planted yet. I know this would be a wonderful place as the trees grow and branch out.
And I'm happy to see this note. Isn't it cool?
"The tree are being planted in a grid so that the Statue can always be seen."
The trees were planted inside an area enclosed by pre-cast concrete which can be used as a seat for park visitors. These concrete pieces are manufactured in Buffalo, NY.
At the top of the highest hill, visitors are rewarded with an extraordinary 360° vantage point on the City, the Harbor and its icons. In a city of exceptional views from skyscrapers, the height of a nine-story building would offer little of distinction. On Governors Island, out in the harbor, the height of an 82-foot hill offers a sensation, even a thrill of a view never seen before, never even imagined.
This is still part of The Hills, at the time of my visit work has started as you can see from the signs attached to the fence. If the views from the island at ground level are awesome, how much more from the top of The Hills?
I also saw this beautiful rendition of what the Play Lawn would look like once the development is finished.
The Play Lawn is an 11-acre green expanse where children and adults play sports, soak in the sun, roll around on the grass, grill, and gather.
Whereas shady areas can be found nearby in the Hammock Grove, trees will dot the Play Lawn only occasionally, keeping unobstructed areas for play and openness to the sky, sun and Harbor.
As I gazed at Lady Liberty, I saw some ongoing construction work being done. This was probably part of the development for Liberty Terrace, which would be right across the statue.
Liberty Terrace connects New York City to the Statue of Liberty. Standing on the Terrace, the visitor sees Lady Liberty’s face in person, perhaps for the first time. As visitors tour the Great Promenade, from either direction, the Statue comes in view, as a surprise when rounding the South Prow, or first in profile on the Island’s western Promenade. As cyclists head south or pedestrians meander through the park, the trees, hills and lawns frame views of the Statue, all culminating at Liberty Terrace.
Certain parts of the park weren't available for the park preview so standing at the southmost edge of the area that was open to the public that day, I took this pic. This was my view gazing south, to where the South Prow would be located.
As the Great Promenade rounds the South Prow, it splits into two levels. The Great Promenade’s upper level curves inward to form the South Prow Overlook, which is elevated seven feet above the Wetland Gardens and picnic grounds.From the South Prow Overlook, the Wetland Gardens and Picnic Grounds unfold like a carpet of water-loving plants and green lawn framed by the blue- gray water, sky and Statue of Liberty beyond. The elevation creates a new perspective on the sea and sky, a 180° view that complements the 360° views afforded by a tour of the Grand Promenade or a walk to the top of the Hills.
From where I was standing that day on the southmost part of the park open to the public, this was my view looking back at Liggett Hall.
On the way back I passed by some of the spaces designated for the play area of Liggett Terrace.
Liggett Terrace is a wonderful place for young children and their families. A play area provides climbing and swinging activities while reflecting pools offer children a chance to get wet or play with toy boats.
And of course, I can't leave Governors Island without taking a picture of lower Manhattan across the harbor.
Thank you Governors Island for inviting the public to the Park Preview. I can't wait for the whole development to finish. For sure Governors
Island will be at the top of the list for everybody to visit once it opens for
the 2014 season.
For the rest of my photos, here are the links to the albums on Flickr:
NYC Harbor Tours (City of Water Day)
