For immediate release:
June 2, 2007

Contact:
Paul Kelly 347-675-8641 (cell) 212-440-2222 (office)


GOVERNORS ISLAND ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED FREE PUBLIC ACCESS AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING EVERY WEEKEND FOR SUMMER 2007   
Island will open for visitors on June 2nd with a Family Festival and will be open every Saturday and Sunday until September 2nd for picnicking, bike riding, touring the National Historic District, and enjoying summer programs

National Park Service will offer guided group tours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) today announced the summer 2007 schedule for open public access. Ferry service and admission to Governors Island is free, aimed at encouraging the public to take advantage of this unique destination in New York Harbor. On Saturdays and Sundays, from June 2 to September 2, visitors will be able to tour the Island, enjoy an unprecedented array of programs, and take in the breathtaking views of Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and New York Harbor.

For the first time ever, visitors to Governors Island can enjoy the entire Historic District, including areas and buildings not previously open to the public. Additionally, biking will be allowed on the Island for the first time, and visitors are invited to take a leisurely one mile ride around the bike loop. A tram will provide tours of the south Island.

Visitors are encouraged to see “The Park at the Center of the World: Five Visions for Governors Island,” the exhibition for the competition to design the new park, Great Promenade and open space. Visitors can comment directly on the exhibition and the designs or log on to www.govisland.com to record their comments.

“Governors Island has more to offer New Yorkers and visitors than ever before,” said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. “We look forward to a record number of people coming this summer as we work to bring the Island back to life. I hope that all New Yorkers and visitors will enjoy both our summer programs and the ideas for the future park and open space.”

GIPEC has worked with partner organizations to create a series of diverse Saturday programs that will appeal to a wide variety of New Yorkers. These programs, in addition to the Historic District Tours, will provide visitors with a deeper connection to the Island. GIPEC will host activities ranging from the opening day Family Festival to a folk concert series in July.

On June 2nd, the summer season on Governors Island will open with a Family Festival sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance and New York City Council Member Alan Gerson. The festival begins at 12:30 and will feature the FDNY fireboat saluting the riders of the 12:00 NOON ferry. Once visitors arrive on the Island, they will be able to enjoy musical acts, musicians, face painting, arts and crafts, and much more.

“The Family Festival is a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer on Governors Island,” said Alan Gerson, New York City Council Member. “We hope that all of New York’s families and visitors will come and enjoy the family friendly atmosphere and programs.”

“Governors Island is a unique place in the middle of New York Harbor,” said Rob Pirani, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “The Alliance is proud to support the opening day Family Festival to kick off a new successful season on the Island.”

The National Park Service (NPS) will offer scheduled tours of the Historic District on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with ferries leaving the Battery Maritime Building at 10 AM and 1 PM for the entire summer season, providing an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the 19th century forts, as well as the historic homes and landscapes on the northern side of the Island.

“Governors Island provides an outstanding opportunity for visitors to experience the history of the Island and New York City,” said Linda Neal, Superintendent, National Park Service. “For the first time ever, visitors can enjoy the historic houses in Nolan Park and Colonel’s Row, as well as Fort Jay and Castle Williams.”

Summer 2007 Program Specifics

Visit Governors Island
General Public Access
Saturdays and Sundays only
10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Boats depart on the hour from the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street Manhattan (last boat from Battery Maritime Building, Lower Manhattan departs at 3PM) pm)
June 2 through September 2, 2007
Log onto www.govisland.com for ferry, program and transportation information
THE FERRY RIDE to GOVERNORS ISLAND takes 7 minutes.

Visitors are invited to:

• Tour the National Historic District with a ranger or self guided tour. Entire District open for visitors, including interiors of two houses.
• Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon on the historic Parade Ground
• Take a leisurely one mile bike ride or walk around the promenade, while taking in some of the most dramatic views of New York and the Harbor
• Enjoy summer concerts and programs.
• View designs and comment on www.govisland.com

Historic District Guided Tours with National Park Service Rangers
Wednesdays through Friday
June 6 to August 31, 2007

• Ferries leave at 10:00 AM and 1 PM

National Park Service Rangers will provide guided tours of the National Historic District twice a day. These are walking tours of approximately 1 ½ hours in duration, covering more than ½ mile, and include visits to the fortifications, Castle Williams and Fort Jay, as well as to Nolan Park and Colonels’ Row. All tours depart promptly from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan at the designated time. Tours will be limited to 40 people per tour on a first come, first served basis.

Summer 2007 Schedule

June events

Saturday, June 2nd: Opening Day Family Festival, 12:30 PM
Join us for arts and crafts, musical and theatrical performances for kids and more! Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance.

Saturday, June 9th: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra/ Jazz Age, 1:30 PM
Celebrate the beginning of summer with a free Great-Gatsby-inspired afternoon of picnicking, dancing, and sizzling hot jazz, performed by in vintage style by one of the East Coast's most beloved 1920s bands.

Saturday, June 16th: Prisoners of 2nd Avenue (formerly Steaks and Chops), 1:30 PM
Deep cuts classic rock and blues. Come rock out with New York's own Jimmy Vivino, Rich Pagano and John Conte.

Wednesday, June 20th: Public Forum for Governors Island Design Competition, 6:30 PM at Reeves Great Hall, Fashion Institute of Technology (28th Street and 7th Avenue)
Public is invited to hear from the five architectural teams who are competing to create future open spaces on Governors Island and comment on the teams’ proposals.

Saturday, June 23rd and Sunday June 24th: Army Heritage Weekend (all day)
Join National Park Service staff for special programs and tours highlighting the military history of Governors Island

Saturday, June 30: Dance China NY - The Professional Dance Company of the New York Chinese Cultural Center, 1:30 PM
Watch as this accomplished troupe performs six traditional dances including the Ribbon Dance and take part in a 15-minute interactive dance workshop where select audience members dance on stage.

July events

Folks on the Island: A Governors Island Music Festival sponsored by Trinity Church and the Governors Island Alliance
Saturdays, July 7-28, 2007 at 1:30 p.m.

July 7, 2007
Odetta

July 14, 2007
Harry Chapin: A Celebration in Song

July 21, 2007
Richie Havens

July 28, 2007
Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway: The Music of Woody Guthrie

August events

In the Pocket: A World of Music Festival presented by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
Saturdays, August 4-25, 2007, at 1:00 p.m.

August 4, 2007
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Ogans

August 11, 2007
Sweet Micky
Nomads

August 18, 2007
Si*Se
Toubab Krewe

August 25, 2007
DJ Rekha

Every weekend

“The Park at the Center of the World: Five Visions for Governors Island” exhibition in Building 110.

Painting Governors Island: An exhibition of drawings, paintings and watercolors by artists from the National Academy and the New York Studio School in historic home on Colonels’ Row.

Exhibition of historic photographs of Governors Island in historic home in Nolan Park.

Every Saturday throughout the summer

Educational Lectures by the City University of New York on climate change, ecology, weather and marine life in New York Harbor at 12:30 in Pershing Hall.

Summer programming information will be updated throughout the summer. Please visit www.govisland.com for more information.

Ferry Information
Access to the Governors Island Ferry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. On Saturdays and Sundays, ferries will depart for Governors Island from Lower Manhattan every hour on the hour beginning at 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Ferries will return from Governors Island every hour on the ½ hour with the last public ferry returning to Manhattan at 5:00 pm. For Wednesday through Friday tours, the boats will depart at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Return ferries will depart from Governors Island, respectively, at 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm. Tours are limited to 40 people per tour.

Please check the GIPEC website, www.govisland.com, or public information number at 212.440.2202, for updates on summer programs.

Access to Governors Island is also available via NY Water Taxi. For schedule, fares and information log onto www.nywatertaxi.com

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation is responsible for the planning, redevelopment and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corporation, GIPEC is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed equally by the Governor and Mayor of New York. GIPEC seeks to make Governors Island a destination with great public open space and heritage tourism attractions, as well as education, conference and cultural arts facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

About the Governors Island Alliance
The Governors Island Alliance is a coalition of civic, environmental, and preservation-focused organizations and individuals working to celebrate the Island's rich history, create memorable parks and public spaces, and ensure appropriate reuse of the Island and its historic structures. Visit us at www.governorsislandalliance.org.