Officials expect a record 500,000 visitors this season

Governors Island is officially open for the 2011 summer season, with new programs, concerts, and exhibitions expected to draw more than a half-million visitors. The island’s signature summer exhibition is the temporary installation of 11 iconic works by the sculptor Mark di Suvero. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, other officials, and di Suvero announced the public exhibition and kicked off the season at the Battery Maritime Building, where free ferries link Lower Manhattan to Governors Island.

“Governors Island is fast becoming known as one of the world’s great waterfront destinations,” said Bloomberg. “With the largest outdoor presentation of Mark di Suvero’s work in New York City in more than three decades and a host of exciting new events, we expect an all-time-high 500,000 visitors to come to Governors Island this season -- a big increase over last year’s record 443,000 visitors and roughly 20 times the number of visitors who came here during 2006. And in the years to come -- with the implementation of the island’s Park and Public Space Master Plan and thanks to a new and clearer direction over Governors Island’s future -- we expect its popularity as a destination to soar even higher.”
            
The mayor announced that once again free ferry service will be provided from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; and from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

In addition, the city announced in February that new East River ferry service will include a stop at Governors Island on weekends. That service will add routes to and from the island from Long Island City, Greenpoint, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, and Brooklyn’s Pier 6, as well as East 34th Street and Wall Street in Manhattan.
 
Governors Island is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays. In addition to Water Taxi Beach, which serves food and drinks, there are a variety of food vendors on Governors Island. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food and picnics to the island. Wheelchair-accessible indoor and portable bathrooms are available for visitors.

For more details and schedules of summer activities, visit http://www.govisland.com.

Related Links