Governors Island Public Season Is Around the Corner

We are shaking in our flip flops!

 

Blue Marble Ice Cream back on Governors Island. Image courtesy of Glenwoodnyc.com.

Governors Island opens next week, with 30 acres of park, delicious food, and many great events. For the first time, visitors will be able to join us seven days a week on the Island. Our summer events calender is on view here  and you can take a sneak peak at some of the food options for the summer. Below are some of the great events to look forward to next weekend and into June.

 

The Opening Day Family Festival: Saturday, May 24, noon -4 PM
The Governors Island Alliance’s Family Festival is back again this year! There will be live musical performances by Astrograss, The Maybelles, Arm of the Sea Theater, and Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, as well as lots of arts and crafts activities happening all day. Oh, and did I mention a bouncy castle? 

The Governors Island Alliance Family Festival. Image courtesy of The Trust.

 FIGMENT NYC: Saturday & Sunday , June 7 – 8, 10 AM  to 6 PM
FIGMENT NYC, the free, inclusive, participatory arts festival is back on Governors Island. Explore the entire Island to discover sculptures, art installations, mini-golf, music, and much more. The Figment City of Dreams Pavilion, created by CDR Studio and funded through Kickstarter, is also being built!

CDR Studio’s City of Dreams Pavilion install. Image courtesy of The Trust.

Jazz Age Lawn Party, Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15,  11 AM to 5 PM 
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra are bringing the incredible Jazz Age Lawn Party back to Governors Island. Held in Colonels Row, a dream of the 1920s where you can’t help but wear a pork pie hat,  the Jazz Age Lawn Party will feature live music, dance performances, dance instruction, and a wide variety of 1920’s inspired refreshments and food.  

The Jazz Age Lawn Party in Colonels Row. Image courtesy of Jeff Liao

Many other events will be held as well! View them all here.

Free Bike Mornings! From Monday to Friday

Yesterday, The Trust announced a new free bike program for the 2014 season – Free Bike Mornings! From Monday to Friday. Visitors to the Island can now borrow a bike for free for one hour between 10 am and noon on weekdays. The program, riding on the success of Free Bike Fridays from previous seasons, offers visitors more opportunities for free biking than ever before and will make weekdays a lively place on the Island.

Biking on Governors Island. Image courtesy of The Trust.

We also announced that Blazing Saddles has been awarded the contract to provide bikes to Island visitors. Blazing Saddles is a 25- year old family owned bike rental and tours business founded in San Francisco, that has stations in New York City, San Francisco, and Monterrey, California. They will provide a large inventory of kids and adult bikes, tandems and quadracycles for visitors to rent seven days a week (Gucci saddle bags will not be included 🙂 ). Blazing Saddles responded to an RFP The Trust issued earlier this year.

Blazing Saddles bikes. Image courtesy of Blazing Saddles.

Free Bike Mornings! From Monday to Friday will open on Memorial Day, Monday May 26. You will be able to rent bikes beginning on our opening day, Saturday May 24.

 

The Permit Process for the New Governors Island Sports Fields is Open!

Play Ball!

The watchful eye of Lady Liberty looks over the new Governor Island’s sports fields. Image from Timothy Schenck, courtesy of The Trust.

The permit process to use the Governors Island’s sports fields opened today! The fields are located on the Play Lawn within the 30 acres of new park completed in November  and will be available for use every day during daylight hours between May 24th and September 28th.

The two natural turf ballfields are sized for baseball or softball. They contain a clay infield with full back stops and bleachers that seat 84 people. Now if stickball isn’t you game, not to worry. The large outfield can easily be configured for soccer or other field sports. The fields will be available for games in the morning beginning at 10 AM, and in the afternoon beginning at 2 PM.

To apply to use the fields, organizations can visit The Trust’s website. The permit process will be open until March 1 at which point The Trust will review all of the applications it has received. As with other public ballfields in New York City, preference will be given to youth groups, schools and leagues from across the City. For more information take a look at our permit page and the FAQ page.

This Weekend on Governors Island: New York Poetry Festival, NYSCI Designing for Flight, Construction Tours, and More!

Courtesy The Poetry Society of New York

This weekend (July 27-28) features a diverse array of offerings on Governors Island to satisfy even the most artistic, inventive, and curious minds!  

We are excited to welcome back The Poetry Society of New York for the third annual New York Poetry Festival!  This two-day celebration of NYC’s vibrant poetry community includes over 50 poetry organizations and 200 poets across three stages in historic Colonel’s Row. Visitors will be able to enjoy healthy and delicious food options, a beer garden, the Children’s Festival, and the Poetry Brothel  from 11am to 5pm this Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday, it’s about to get scientific at Designing for Flight, an exhibit presented by the New York Hall of Science exploring some of the design and science involved in common and exciting forms of flight.  From 12pm to 4pm the Parade Ground becomes the Design Zone.  Bring your own kite (BYOK), enjoy demos by NYSCI Explainers, and experiment with making flying machines at this fun and informative event.

With so much happening on Governors Island, it’s hard to believe that even greater things are planned for the future.  This weekend’s offerings also include two opportunities at a fist-hand glimpse into the ongoing transformation of Governors Island with a Behind the Scenes Hard Hat Tour.  Come by Liggett Arch on July 27th at 11:30am andJuly 28th at 3pm to walk through the construction site of the 30 acres of new park and public spaces at the center of the Island. Children age 7 and above welcome. All attendees must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

Remember, the East River Ferry is a great way to get from Queens, Brooklyn and Midtown to Governors Island. Check the full schedule to plan your next trip!

Other Events This Weekend Include:

• Fête Paradiso, 10:30am to 6:30pm, Nolan Park: For the first time in the US, a spectacular collection of vintage French carnival rides is open to the public here on Governors Island! The Parisian experience is free to visitors both young and old at this magnifique fairground festival complete with French music and cuisine!

• Bike New York Classes, Sunday, 11am to 1pm, Buoy Parking Lot: Learn how to ride a bike for the first time or brush up on your basic biking skills with free Bike New York classes on Governors Island. Visit online for details and free pre-registration.

• Vintage Baseball, Saturday, 12pm to 4pm, Parade Ground: See baseball played as it was at the turn of the last century! Visit the Parade Ground and enjoy America’s pastime the way it used to be played!
• The Skate Truck NYC, 11am to 6pm, Buoy Parking Lot: The Skate Truck NYC provides roller-skating equipment, helmets and safety equipment to skaters of any age. Skate for fun. Skate for health. Skate for life!
• Children’s Museum of the Arts, Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 3pm, Nolan Park: Come to Nolan Park for the Children’s Museum of the Arts’ Free Art Island Outpost.
• Pop-up Library & Outdoor Reading Room, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 6pm: Settle in with a good book at the pop-up library and outdoor reading room presented by the Brooklyn, Queens and NY public libraries.
• FIGMENT Summer-Long Installations, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 5:30pm, Parade Ground: All weekend enjoy the interactive Sculpture Garden, artist-designed Minigolf Course, City of Dreams Pavilion, and the Treehouse in the the Parade Grounds.
• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Presents Building 110: LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island, 11am-5pm, Building 110: LMCC and its artists-in-residence welcome audience to Building 110′s Gallery and their studios. Discover new artists, engage in the artistic process and simply enjoy the art in this stunning setting this summer. LMCC is also the lead presenter of the River to River Festival, a four- week, multidisciplinary arts festival throughout Lower Manhattan.

• Better Than Jam Handmade Gifts Shop, 11am to 6pm, Nolan Park, Building 16: The Brooklyn boutique of all locally handmade products brings the creations of New York City’s most talented artists and crafters to the beautiful and historic houses of Nolan Park. This weekend, the crafting gets creative with card making and stamping with S2 Stationery on the Island!

Get the full list of Governors Island exhibits and programs on our website. Looking forward to seeing you on the Island!

This Weekend on Governors Island: Fete Paradiso, Bang on a Can All Stars, Come Out & Play, and More!

Constructing the exhibit

This weekend, we are excited to host Fete Paradiso, a spectacular collection of vintage carousels and carnival rides. From traditional merry-go-’rounds to more unique rides, visitors both young and old will be able to experience this magnifique festival in Nolan Park through the end of September. Set against the backdrop of the Island’s historic district, Fete Paradiso features French music and a beer garden catered by Le Gamin.

Courtesy Bang on a Can

This Saturday, the Island will come alive with the eclectic and inventive sounds of the Bang on a Can All-Stars! Presented by Rite of Summer, this six-member ensemble of classical, jazz, rock, world and experimental music performers defy the boundaries of genre to create a dynamic live music experience. The All-Stars will take the stage on Governors Island at 1pm Saturday in Colonel’s Row.

Governors Island is thrilled to welcome back the River to River Festival’s Come Out & Play and Family Day this Saturday from 11am to 5pm. The Parade Ground will be transformed into a giant playground with all new games and experiences for visitors of all ages.

Other Events this weekend include:

LMCC’s Open Studios, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 5pm Building 110
LMCC’s Open Studios make accessible what is often viewed as the mysterious or secretive process of art-making and offer visitors the unique opportunity to tour artists’ studios, watch rehearsals, attend readings, and speak with artists-in-residence about their work and practice.

The Skate Truck NYC, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 6pm, Buoy Parking Lot.
Grab yourself a set of wheels at The Skate Truck NYC, which provides roller-skating equipment, helmets and safety gear to skaters of all ages.

Free Kayaking with Downtown Boat House, Saturday 10am – 3pm, Pier 101
Enjoy some fun time out on the water with this free activity, featuring beautiful views of New York Harbor!

Better Than Jam Handmade Gifts Shop, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 6pm, Nolan Park, Building 16
The Brooklyn boutique of all locally handmade products brings the creations of New York City’s most talented artists and crafters to the beautiful and historic houses of Nolan Park. This weekend, the crafting gets creative with card making and stamping with S2 Stationery on the Island!

Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program: 11am to 3pm, Nolan Park.
Join the Children’s Musem of Arts‘ Teaching Artists for free hands on art-making each weekend. 

WWII & NYC: Photography and Propaganda, Presented by the New York Historical Society, 10am to 6:30pm, Nolan Park, Building 18.
This exhibition paints a vivid picture of life in war-mobilized New York, when virtually every industry, institution and home was transformed into a venture to support Allied victory.

Terreform ONE: Governors Hook Urbaneering Exhibit, All Day, Building 110.
Check out LMCC’s art center exhibit portraying future innovative architecture, urban design and landscapes.

Mü-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking, 11 am to 5 pm, Nolan Park, Building 20A
Mü-Math returns for its second summer on Governors Island with a baker’s dozen of “hands on, minds on” brain stumpers designed to engage children and adults from 8 to 80.

Pop Up Library presented by Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library, 12 pm to 6 pm, Green next to Building 114
Within New York City’s portable outdoor reading room, visitors will be provided with books, children’s programs and learning activities.

Get the full list of Governors Island exhibits and programs on our website. Looking forward to seeing you on the Island!

This Weekend: Vintage Baseball, Hard Hat Tours, Writing On It All and More!

Summer is officially here on Governors Island and we’re thrilled to bring our visitors the eclectic combination of programs, events, food, music, art installations, and more in one of the most unique public spaces in New York Harbor! This weekend on Governors Island, make sure to swing by the old timey baseball games going on at the Parade Ground. On Saturday, June 29th you can catch Gotham BBC Vintage Baseball playing ball as it was at the turn of the last century!

Join us for a sneak peek of the construction of new park and public spaces at the center of Governors Island Saturday June 29th at 11:30am and Sunday, June 30th at 3pm. Led by Trust for Governors Island staff, the tour begins at Liggett Arch and takes visitors through the on-going transformation into 30 glorious acres of new park and public space designed by West 8. Space is available on a first-come, first served basis. Sign-up for tours begins 30 minutes prior at the Arch. Hardhats and vests will be provided and closed-toe footwear is required. Children aged 7 and above are welcome.

Sunday will be the last chance to participate in Writing On It All! Artists, poets, writers, and visitors have been writing and drawing freely all over the walls in an abandoned house in Nolan Park. If you need inspiration, just watch this stop-motion video. Join the fun this Sunday at 12pm -3 pm!

This weekend we are also hosting:

• Terreform: Governors Hook Urbaneering Exhibit, June 15 – September 15, Building 110:  Stop by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s artist-in-residence gallery and studios in Building 110 to discover new artists, engage in the artistic process and simply enjoy the art in this stunning setting this summer.  Governors Hook, a Terreform project, reimages Governors Island and Red Hook through innovative architecture, urban design and landscapes.

• Skate Truck NYC, Sunday 11am – 6pm: Grab yourself a set of wheels at The Skate Truck NYC, which provides roller-skating equipment, helmets and safety gear to skaters of all ages.

• WWII & NYC: Photography and Propaganda, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6:30pm: Experience what total war meant for New Yorkers through moving black-and-white photos, iconic propaganda posters and an authentic Victory Garden.

• Children’s Museum of the Arts, Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 3pm: Come to Nolan Park for the Children’s Museum of the Arts’ Free Art Island Outpost.

• Pop-up Library & Outdoor Reading Room, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 6pm: Settle in with a good book at the pop-up library and outdoor reading room presented by the Brooklyn, Queens and NY public libraries.

• FIGMENT Summer-Long Installations, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 5:30pm: All weekend enjoy the interactive Sculpture Garden, artist-designed Minigolf Course, City of Dreams Pavilion, and the Treehouse in the the Parade Grounds.

• Mü-Math, Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm: Mü-Math (a Mobile Unite to promote mathematical thinking) returns for its second summer on Governors Island with a baker’s dozen of “hands on, minds on” brain stumpers designed to engage children from 8 to 80.

• Brooklyn ARTery, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 6pm: Brooklyn ARTery is offering a mix of one-of-a-kind, affordable handmade goods as well as free classes for families and friends of all ages in Nolan Park.

• Shipwrecked! A History of Maritime Disasters in NYC Harbor, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 6pm: Empire Historic Arts presents “Shipwrecked!” in Nolan Park—an inside look at local maritime mayhem.

And, of course, there is so much more. So go ahead and check out our full events calendar for the complete list of the programs coming to Governors Island and don’t forget to stay updated by following us on Twitter: @Gov_Island.

See you on the Island!!

Photo courtesy CaptainKidder.

 

Trust for Governors Island President Speaks at the 2013 Gel Conference

All staff members at the Trust sat on mock-ups of the new curb-style seating to determine what the ideal height and seat design is for maximum comfort.

Trust for Governors Island President Leslie Koch will be speaking at the 10^th Anniversary Gel Conference today in Manhattan. Gel spotlights the leaders in “good experience”: in tech, business, society, and art. Leslie will be sharing the story of how she and her colleagues at the Trust for Governors Island programmed and planned the new park improvements by watching how people chose to enjoy the Island’s unique offerings.

The new park was designed with our visitors’ experience in mind. All new features that will be used by the public when the park opens went through rigorous testing before final approval.

As a featured speaker at Gel, Leslie is in excellent company. Gel convenes innovators, influencers, and thought leaders across disciplines and functions that are interested in experience design. Gel is known for finding new voices and putting them on a major conference stage for the first time. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, performance artist Ze Frank, and many others debuted at Gel before speaking at other top events.

The NY Times Calls Governors Island a Place to Find Tranquility in Busy NYC

Quiet space at the future “hammock grove”.

In the hustle and bustle of the busy City, where are your favorite spots to go to find quiet? Last week, the City Room Blog ran a photo of Governors Island alongside a post asking New Yorkers where they go to find quiet. What are your favorite places on (and off) Governors Island to find quiet? Tweet, facebook, comment below, or head over to the New York Times to leave your thoughts. The Times will publish a curated selection of reader spots later in the season.

Right now things are pretty noisy on the Island as we progress towards finishing the first phase of construction on the Governors Island Park and Public Space Master Plan. When completed there will be 30 acres of new parkland open to the public.

Pig Island Food Festival: September 1, 2012

Governors Island has become a very popular place for food festivals over the past few years. This September, we welcome back Pig Island!

Enjoy:

•     25 of the best chefs in the 5 boroughs going (ahem) hog wild with local pigs.
•     Butchering and cooking demos brought to you by Wüsthof.
•     Great local craft beer by Sixpoint (Brooklyn), providing exclusive custom beers.
•     Wines from the very best of New York State, North Fork, and the Finger         Lakes.
•     Veggie Pavillion brought to you by Microplane and Cathy Erway.
•     Music all day with live bands.

Don’t miss this! For more information and ticketing details, check out http://www.pigisland.com/.

 

Weekend Update: City of Water Day, Come Out & Play Field Day, and so much more!

A photo from City of Water Day 2011!

We have a great weekend planned for you! Check out our special events for this weekend below! The rest of the events (which last for multiple weekends/all season) can be found on the Events tab! See you soon!

Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance presents The City of Water Day Festival, Saturday, 10AM – 4 PM
A day of entertainment, education and adventure celebrating our waterfront and its potential. Enjoy free boat tours, children’s activities, fishing, the Waterfront Activity Fair, and more! For more information, visit www.cityofwaterday.org.

Come Out & Play Field Day, Saturday, 12 PM – 6 PM, on the Parade Ground
Field Day will feature a range of new games from open field dodgeball battles to small social games to new sports. Some games make use of new technology like smart phones and some rely on old fashioned tech like rubber balls. But each offers new ways to play and have fun. Each year Come Out & Play brings together designers and players for a chance to play a host of new real-world games.

Gotham BBC of New York vs Flemington Neshanock BBC, New York City, Saturday, 12 PM – 4 PM, on the Parade Ground
Base ball as it was played almost 150 years ago! The Gotham BBC of New York plays at its home field against the tough competitors of Flemington Neshanock BBC. Come out and enjoy the island, and the 19th century base ball.

Tamimiami Pixilation Project, Saturday, 11 AM – 3 PM, in Nolan Park
Drawing inspiration from the sculpture Tamimiami by Mark di Suvero, located in Nolan Park, join CMA teaching artists to explore the art of pixilation, animate your own body, and create your own choreography to bring the sculpture to life. Presented by River To River Festival and Children’s Museum of the Arts, in association with Storm King Art Center.

Artists Respond: Mark di Suvero- Walking Tour, Sunday, 3 PM – 5 PM, in Building 110
River To River and Storm King Art Center present four imaginative walking tours created in response to, and inspired by, Storm King’s exhibition, Mark di Suvero at Governors Island. Created by past artists-in-residence from LMCC’s Swing Space program at Building 110, the walking tours are performative lectures intertwining the artists’ personal experiences and creative process with responses to di Suvero’s monumental works.