February 21, 2008
Governors Island to reopen May 31, with bike rentals
Governors Island will reopen for the season on May 31 and it looks like the new amenities there this summer will include bike rentals, as they've put a bicycle concession out for bid.
The ferry schedule will be announced in April, according to the National Park Service.
Last summer, the island hosted 55,000 visitors -- quite a step up from the 8,000 who visited in 2005. It first opened for tours in 2004, pretty much the first time the island was open to the public since colonial times.
The 172-acre island, located between Brooklyn and the southern tip of Manhattan, was actually the first settlement of what became New Amsterdam. It later turned to military uses - including a hospital and prison - as well as the launching site of Wilbur Wright's first flight over water (headed toward the nearby Statue of Liberty.)
While the Dutch firm West 8 was chosen to redesign the open space on the island, the long-term future of the remaining area is still somewhat uncertain, with even NYU reportedly wading into the waters.
But for part of this summer, Governors Island will get one artist Olafur Eliasson's "NYC Waterfalls" positioned just off its shores
Earlier: Governors Island, still free, expands access for 2007
Governors Island ferry trip and tours free all summer
February 21, 2008 10:48 AM in Cheap Stuff, Downtown, History, Kids, Museums, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology, Sports, Tours
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