Building a New Park
Jul 3, 2012 9:29 am
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Clean general fill from a quarry in upstate New York arrives to Governors Island via barge and is loaded into trucks that weigh 50 tons when fully loaded.[/caption] Construction is now underway here at Governors Island! We have begun Phase 1 of the park and infrastructure project, which will provide New York City with a new vibrant public space here in New York Harbor and simultaneously improve the services on Governors Island. The 30 acres of new park space currently under construction include Liggett Terrace, a sunny, six acre plaza with seasonal plantings, seating, water features and public art and the Play Lawn, 14 acres for play and relaxation that includes two turf ball fields. In case you haven’t stopped by the exhibit on the island, you can look at the plan on our website for the new park. On the southern half of the island, site protection is already in place and demolition of the non-historical Coast Guard-era buildings has begun, like the old bowling alley below. We are reusing much of that material as fill on the site, as well as recycling the metal. Crews have begun grading the area that will become Hammock Grove, a sunny ten acre space that is home to 2,000 new trees, play areas and hammocks. Also, one of the ferry slips at Soissons Landing is being remodeled to provide improved access to the island. [caption id=“attachment_5239” align=“aligncenter” width=“305”]
Bowling Alley being demolished to make room for new earthwork material and the Play Lawn.[/caption] Don’t worry! The construction won’t interrupt our exciting schedule this summer, and we will continue to update you with our progress.
Also, check out the article in New York Magazine by Justin Davidson on the redesigned Governors Island.