Just Add Water …
Jul 24, 2008 1:27 pm
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It’s really hot! And when the going gets hot, the hot head to the water, in whatever form we can find it. Here on Governors Island, we think a lot about our intimate and complicated relationship with water, especially as we begin to plan a new park and Great Promenade. Water — 400 – 800 yards of it — is what separates us from our neighbors in Brooklyn and Manhattan : (. But that same water is a big part of what makes the journey to Governors Island so special. People from all across the City are drawn to the Island by the unique, sensory experience of the water here: the panoramic harbor views, the salty smell of the harbor and the sound of the waves. And yet, in spite of this seeming abundance of water, the Island now offers few ways to get wet. An occasional organized kayak landing and swimming race around the Island are welcome exceptions, but there’s no refreshing toe-dipping or splish-splashing for the rest of us! Water – for playing in, reflecting upon, or cooling under — will be a major theme to explore in the design of our new park, Great Promenade and public open spaces. As we begin the park master plan, we’ll be asking the design team, lead by West 8, to find creative ways to include water in the park experience. From playful fountains to elegant reflecting pools to simple spray misters, there are many ways to incorporate water into a public park. We’d love to hear from you about your favorite places to play with water. For inspiration, see the photos above. Photo Credits: - Families at Ira Keller Fountain in Portland: Phlogiston (Flickr, CC)
- Child playing in fountain outside Shanghai Museum: Shashchatter (Flickr,CC)
- Women walking through mister on Christopher Street Pier in Hudson River Park, NYC: GIPEC