Announcing the 2013 Season on Governors Island
May 16, 2013 6:44 pm
Governors Island’s summer season is right around the corner. This year, programming will take place throughout the Historic District while we continue construction on the southern end of the Island. Ferries will once again bring visitors from Manhattan and Brooklyn, or you can also take the East River Ferry to the Island. Governors Island is open every Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday (Memorial Day and Labor Day) from May 25 through September 29. As always, you can bring your own bike to the Island or they can rent one here. We will again be hosting a variety of food vendors each weekend, located in the King Avenue Food Court in the Historic District. New Programs and Exhibits! We’re welcoming several new programs to the Island this year, including the New York Historical Society’s WWII&NYC: Photography and Propaganda, which will paint a vivid picture of New York City life in wartime through photographs, posters, a Victory Garden hands-on activities for all ages beginning July 13th. The Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library are partnering with the Uni Project, New York City’s portable outdoor reading room, to provide books, learning activities, and children’s programs throughout the summer. Visitors will be able to borrow books “in house”, register for library cards, sign up for summer reading, learn more about the Uni, and find out about what’s happening in each of the three New York City public library systems. Bike New York will also offer classes where visitors can learn to ride and brush up on their bike skills. The highlight of the 2013 season will be a French festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels, opening in mid-July. The festival will take place in Nolan Park. More details about the festival will be released later this season. Your Favorites Return! This year we’re welcoming back some of our favorites including the Jazz Age Lawn Party, FIGMENT’s mini-golf, Tree House and City of Dreams Pavilion, and the Unicycle Festival. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council will host a series of exhibits and open artist studios throughout the season. Visitors can also enjoy guided programs with the National Park Service, explore Castle Williams and Fort Jay and experience special youth programs. Summer 2013 in the Historic District All programming this summer will take place in the National Historic District. The southern half of the Island, including Picnic Point, will be closed (with the exception of hard hat tours). This will allow us to continue our construction of 30 new acres of park and public spaces, work on the Island’s seawall and potable water pipe, and demolition of non-historic buildings. The closure of the southern portion is necessary to ensure the safety of the public and an on-time completion of these projects, allowing us to improve the island for the next generation. New Ways to View Construction Progress! Those who would like to check in on our construction progress are in luck! There will be a Viewing Platform at Liggett Arch where visitors will be able to see the entire 30 acre construction site. The park and public spaces under construction include lively plazas, a shady botanic forest, two ball fields and expansive lawns. In addition, we will be offering free hard hat tours for the public on the last full weekend of each month. For a full schedule of events and programs, up-to-date ferry schedules, information on our construction tour program, and downloadable maps, please visit www.govisland.com. Looking forward to seeing you on the Island! Images courtesy Arsenic & Old Lace (by Patrick Michael Hughes), the Governors Island Alliance, and istolethetv.