February 24, 2009
New Water Taxi Beach location: Governors Island
The New York Water Taxi said today it hopes to open a beach, with real sand, on Governors Island this summer.
The proposed beach would take shape on the north end of Governors Island, in a former parking lot adjacent to the ferry landing.
“Water Taxi Beach/Governors Island will be a laid back, on the waterfront, beach experience of sun, fun, food and music; with tons of sand, beach volleyball, a café and outdoor grill, a stage for live performances and basketball courts. No swimming allowed. The food will focus on sustainability and the Beach will host birthday parties, family celebrations and corporate events,” the company said in a statement released this afternoon.
“Offering spectacular views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines and the East River Bridges; Water Taxi Beach/Governors Island will be accessible from Lower Manhattan on the Governors Island Ferry departing from the Battery Maritime Building and by New York Water Taxi from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.”
On Monday, the New York Water Taxi announced the completion of its acquisition of Circle Line Downtown and revealed expansion plans, including the possibility of two more Water Taxi Beach locations.
The press release touted “one or two additional shore side destinations, similar Water Taxi Beach, in New York City this spring and summer.” Later, in a telephone interview with NewYorkology, a company official said both potential Water Taxi beach locations are in Manhattan. And they would both be on the waterfront, accessible by boat, said Travis Noyes, the chief operating officer of Harbor Experience Companies which is the official name of the new company created to oversee the operations of New York Water Taxi, Circle Line Downtown and Water Taxi Beach.
(And yes, technically, Governors Island is in the borough of Manhattan.)
NewYorkology visited Governors Island just a few weeks ago to survey the space for the new picnic area on the southern side of the island, facing the Statue of Liberty.
The statement released today makes no mention of the possibility that Governors Island’s operational funding has been in question for this summer.
The existing Water Taxi Beach on the East River in Long Island City is scheduled to open for the season in May, during Memorial Day Weekend. That Queens location has a 44,000 square-foot beach, volleyball courts, a bar, food, and space for bands, but no actual access to the water.
Earlier today, food blog Eater reported on the possible menu offerings for new Water Taxi Beach locations, which would include wurst, salads, fish and chips and a raw bar.
Here’s how the Governors Island parking lot as it appeared in 2006:
And here’s how it looked in 2008, with artist Olafur Eliasson’s waterfall installed at the edge.
Update: The second, new location for this summer is not on Governors Island, a spokesperson for the Harbor Experience Companies told NewYorkology. It “will be accessible by foot, car, bike and mass transit as well as by boat,” she said.
Picture credits: Governors Island in 2006 and 2008 by Amy Langfield/NewYorkology
Images source: Artist’s rendering of Governors Grill and Water Taxi Beach provided by Harbor Experience Companies.
Earlier: Two Water Taxi beaches in the works for Manhattan
Water Taxi completes purchase of Circle Line Downtown
Rockaways, Frying Pan to get Water Taxi on weekends
February 24, 2009 3:01 PM in Cheap Stuff, Foodology, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology, Sports
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