For immediate release:
June 6, 2009

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano: 212-440-2205 | erapuano@empire.state.ny.us


Governors Island Kicks Off Free Ferry Service to Brooklyn  
Service makes it easier for Brooklyn residents to take advantage of Governors Island’s open space and programming

Free ferry is part of Island’s supplemental ferry offering

Governors Island began free ferry service to Brooklyn today, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) announced, in conjunction with a broad array of Brooklyn leaders. The service is available on Saturdays when scheduled programs are happening on Governors Island. This is the first time ever that Brooklyn residents can take a free ferry between Brooklyn and Governors Island. State Senator Daniel Squadron, and other officials, attended the inaugural event.

"Governors Island is now just a hop, skip and a free ferry ride from home for millions of Brooklynites," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "Governors Island has the potential to be the center of a new 21st century harbor park--a Central Park for the center of our city. Now even more of my neighbors will be able to enjoy an afternoon on this spectacular island."

“We are proud to announce this new service,” said City Councilmember David Yassky. “These ferries will make access to Governors Island possible for millions in Brooklyn and we are grateful that many more New Yorkers will now be able to enjoy the Island.”

Free ferries will run between Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry landing and Governors Island.

“I often joke about Brooklyn annexing Governors Island because of our shared history and the mere 400 yards separating our shores, and this Saturday service will give Brooklynites and our visitors the opportunity to hop on a ferry and enjoy all the wonders of this great public space,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “It’s just one more step in fully realizing the potential of historic Governors Island as a destination with beautiful parks and open space, as well as a variety of cultural and educational attractions. Bravo, Governors Island!”

“Connecting Brooklyn and Governors Island with a free ferry brings this great resource closer to thousands of Brooklynites,” said Robert Perris, District Manager Community Board 2. “We are thrilled that this service is becoming a reality so soon.”

"We're thrilled to take part in the first voyage of this free new direct ferry service between Brooklyn and Governors Island," said Richard Bashner, Chair of Brooklyn Community Board 6. "Now our residents can enjoy a direct link from Brooklyn to all the exciting activities the island has to offer. We applaud this first step towards the fulfillment of the City's plan to provide Brooklyn with increased ferry service, and we look forward to the establishment of ferry service at additional locations throughout our community."

A large percentage of Governors Island visitors are from the borough of Brooklyn. In 2008, more than one quarter of Governors Island visitors were from Brooklyn. These visitors come from neighborhoods from across the borough including Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Flatbush, and Sheepshead Bay.

"The Port Authority has a longstanding commitment to the residents of Brooklyn and the preservation of their waterfront. Through this free ferry service, we are happy that more people will have access to the unique open space and NY history at Governor's Island," said Chris Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY & NJ.

“We are so pleased that Brooklyn residents will have the opportunity to take a free ferry directly to Governors Island,” said Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation. “Today is a great step forward toward long-term connectivity between Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island.”

“We are happy to introduce this limited service to Brooklyn residents, said Leslie Koch, GIPEC President. “In the long term, our goal is to provide connectivity for passengers, bicyclists and vehicles via a new ferry landing at Atlantic Basin in Red Hook and for pedestrians via a dock at Pier 6 as a part of the new Brooklyn Bridge Park.”

“Governors Island belongs to all of New York,” said Rob Pirani, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “This free ferry service will ensure that even more New Yorkers will be able to discover the Island.”

Governors Island is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October 11. For a full list of programs and events on the Island, please visit www.govisland.com.

This Saturday, ferries will run every 20 minutes between Brooklyn and Governors Island.

The ferry schedule for service from Brooklyn to Governors Island on Saturday June 6 is as follows:

Leaving Brooklyn

11:20 AM
11:40 PM
Noon
12:20 PM
12:40 PM
1:00 PM
1:20 PM
1:40 PM
2:00 PM
2:20 PM
2:40 PM
3:00 PM
3:20 PM
3:40 PM
4:00 PM
4:20 PM
4:40 PM
5:00 PM

Returning to Brooklyn

11:30 AM
11:50 AM
12:10 PM
12:30 PM
12:50 PM
1:10 PM
1:30 PM
1:50 PM
2:10 PM
2:30 PM
2:50 PM
3:10 PM
3:30 PM
3:50 PM
4:10 PM
4:30 PM
4:50 PM
5:10 PM
5:30 PM
5:50 PM

Ferry schedules will vary throughout the summer. Updated ferry schedules are available at www.govisland.com.

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.