On the Boards: Water for all Senses
Apr 16, 2009 8:40 pm
[/caption] Governors Island has a unique relationship to water. It is an island, after all. Every sense tells you water is near: from the fresh salty smell that greets the ferry at Soissons, to the buffer of silence broken only by a little buoy on the southern tip.
But the waters themselves are deep and choppy. The busy working harbor, the large wakes from big boats that pass, the rushing currents, and some rapid drop offs, all serve to make the waters just over the seawall too dangerous for swimming. But those same turbulent conditions create the dramatic displays of spray up over the seawall in the summer and ice fences in the winter. And there’s really nothing like the feeling of openness and freedom that comes from being out in the heart of the harbor.
West 8’s challenge is to enhance that sublime experience of being on a green Island surrounded by water. Thier response to that challenge is taking form in a number of exciting ways, from a promenade hand rail that draws visitors to the edge to an elevated promenade overlooking the harbor. And so that kids like Estella don’t have to resort to playing in café tubs, they are working to create the kind of water play expereiences people crave when they are out here. Among the watery elements to look for when we release the plan are a play fountain that even grown ups can splash in, and a reflecting pool surrounded by movable chairs. [caption id=“attachment_1278” align=“aligncenter” width=“468” caption=“Governors Island already has several ways to experience the water (not including the tub of ice water at Pyramid Café). Last summer, the Downtown Boathouse sponsored free kayaking, and this summer we will be opening up Yankee Pier to historic ships. ”]
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- Shhhhh … buoy.