What to Look For in the New Park

Welcome to Governors Island

Governors Island, a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn.

The Trust is transforming Governors Island into a destination with great public open space, as well as educational, not-for-profit, and commercial facilities. In May 2014, 30 new acres of park and public spaces including a sunny terrace, groves of hammocks, ball fields, and monumental works of art opened for public use.

The Trust has also broken ground on the Hills, the crowning feature of the new park. In addition to the completion of the new park spaces and construction of the Hills, The Trust has nearly completed its ambitious infrastructure program to ready the Island for expanded tenancy and activity.

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What to Look For in the New Park

Posted on May 22, 2014 by lquint

This weekend, the 30 acres of new park and public space designed by West 8 will be open to the public for the first time. Some visitors had the opportunity to take a hard hat tour last Summer, but now the park is hard hat free and ready for visitors! Here are some of the exciting things to see in the new park

Hammocks!

Take a rest in Hammock Grove. Image by Tim Schenck, courtesy of the Trust.

What began as a suggestion from many visionary visitors is now reality. Take a stroll through Hammock Grove and then relax in one of our red hammocks. In the future, once the trees have had time to grow, the hammocks will be attached to the trees. In the meantime you will be resting between two sturdy wood posts.

Play Structures

Climb onto our new play structures. Image by Michele Castellano, courtesy of the Trust.

An important part of the park design was a beautiful play area. Truly a child explorer’s paradise, the new play structures include a wooden climbing jungle gym, a rope tower, and swings. It will be fun for the whole family.

Liggett Terrace

Take a seat in Liggett Terrace. Image by Tim Schenck, courtesy of The Trust.

The new lively green plaza at the entrance of the new park is equipped with all the necessities: plenty of seating, public art on view, and nearby food vendors. Sit down with your lunch and stay awhile to view the beautiful art by Mark Handforth.

Play Lawn

Dramatic views make for dramatic games on the Play Lawn Image by Tim Schenck, courtesy of The Trust.

Come and watch the youth and adult leagues that will be playing ball on Governors Island’s new ball fields. With Lady Liberty as umpire in the backdrop, we should see some exciting games this summer.

The Hills Construction

Building Slide Hill. Image by Lexi Quint, courtesy of The Trust.

Building Slide Hill. Image courtesy of The Trust.

At the edge of the new park, you will still see bulldozers and construction vehicles. The Trust is building the Hills. These four hills will be the culminating feature of the new park and will be completed in late 2015.

See our full summer calender here and ferry schedule here.

Filed under: Governors Island 101, On the Island, Things people do in parks, Upcoming Events, What's New? | Tagged: Hammock Grove, hammocks, Liggett Terrace, Mark Handforth, new park, Play Lawn, Play Structures, the hills |

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Olga Rivera Mercado, on May 24, 2014 at 1:57 am said:

I truly like the work that you are doing on the ISLAND, but I miss seeing the old landmarks of my youth. I am an Army brat that had the honor of living on the most beautiful spot in the world, Time truly marches on.
Keep up the good work, New York deserves having a place where you can find peace.