What would you name Building 315 this summer?

This season, there will be lots of great art exhibitions on Governors Island. Many visitors are used to experiencing a diverse array of art programs in many of the historic houses in Nolan Park and Colonels Row.

This year, due to our work stabilizing the historic houses, the majority of art exhibits and programs will be held in Building 315, which is an apartment style building near on the Island’s eastern shore. We need a name for this space so we can direct our visitors to all the fantastic programs and projects that will be here, including the return of Better than Jam’s pop up shop, the Sculptors Guild and Painting on the Island.

What should we name this building? Culture Condos? Art Apartments? Governor’s Galleries?

Send us your thoughts and let us know what you think!

Rebecca Honts, 2006.

We came across this image a few years ago on Flickr, and it’s been hanging over this blogger’s desk ever since. It was taken back in 2006, when the photographer was one of only 26,000 people to visit that year. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have brought their “peeps” to Governors Island.  We hope you will too when we reopen next month! In the meantime, if YOU have silly photos from your past visits to Governors Island,  you can share them on our facebook page. Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Molly Brown tested and approved every new hammock herself.

Hammocks, they’re not just for humans anymore! This season, The Trust for Governors Island is pleased to announce the addition of two new kinds of hammocks at Picnic Point. Responding to our feline constituents’ demands for more amenities on the Island, and in response to the recent Island baby boom among members of the Trust, NPS and Harbor Ferry Services families, we’re adding 10 cat hammocks and 10 baby hammocks! Now, in addition to the thousands of full-size, human New Yorkers and visitors who come to relax our movable hammocks by the water in view of the Statue of Liberty, we’ll be welcoming kitties and babies.

Babies LOVE hammocks.

]]> http://govislandblog.com/2012/04/01/new-season-new-hammocks/feed/ 1 EllenCavanagh Image Image http://govislandblog.com/2012/01/12/working-day-night-at-soissons-dock/ http://govislandblog.com/2012/01/12/working-day-night-at-soissons-dock/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:28:09 +0000 Claire http://govislandblog.com/?p=4875 ]]> The only vehicular ferry landing on Governors Island is undergoing a dramatic rehabilitation. The transfer bridges (the moving ramps which allows vehicles and pedestrians to embark and disembark the G.I. ferry) are being rehabilitated along with the piles which support them. In addition, the fender racks, those large wooden arms reaching out into the harbor, are being rehabilitated with help from funding from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA).  Island operations continue throughout the project since there are two slips and rehabilitation will take place on one side and then the other. In order to catch the right tides for barge work and keep us moving, workers have been at it even on chilly winter evenings.

Barge Crane in the West Slip

On into the night....

On behalf of Molly Brown and everyone on Governors Island, best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a great new year. We look forward to seeing you in May when the Island re-opens to the public!

We look forward to welcoming visitors back next public access season!

Governors Island has closed for the 2011 season but we wanted to thank all of the visitors and organizations that brought incredible arts, cultural and recreational programs to the Island. You have all made this season the best one yet on the Island. We look forward to welcoming you all back in the spring of 2012!

Island visitors learn how to march like Civil War soldiers.

This Saturday is National Public Lands Day, which is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. The National Park Service is inviting everyone to this national day of service and celebration in your national parks.  To celebrate the day, the National Park Service will offer the following programs for Island visitors:  

Autumn Bird Census – 10:30AM – 12:30PM

Join Volunteer-in-Park Annie on a search for warblers, kinglets, thrushes, and other migratory birds as they pass through New York Harbor. Your participation will help the National Park Service gather census data on the birds of Governors Island. Birders of all experience levels welcome. Just bring your own binoculars! Meet at the top of the hill at Soissons Dock at 10:30 AM.    

10 Mile Bike Tour Along the Hudson River – 10 AM

Meet and Register by 10:00AM at Grants Tomb. Join NPS for a 10-Mile Bike Tour along the Hudson River! Departing from Grant’s Tomb at 10:00AM,  then ride to Governors Island, as you discuss the role New York Harbor and its ecosystem played in the history of New York City. For more information and to register, please contact Sam by email at samuel_adels@nps.gov , or call (212) 825-3045.

Junior Ranger Day – 1PM – 3PM                                                             

Come join rangers in Fort Jay for our first ever Junior Ranger Day celebration. You will get the chance to build your own fort, dress up like a person from the past, learn about the ecology of New York Harbor, and meet a soldier from the past to lead you through the drill soldiers would have learned. Below is the Junior Ranger Day activity schedule. All events occur in Fort Jay.                                                                                  

Build-A-Fort Workshop – 1PM – 3PM

Come be America’s next great fort designer. Use supplies provided to create a 3D model of your fort!                                             

Harbor Helpers – 1PM – 3PM

Learn how hard it is to keep our harbor clean. This hands-on activity will take you into the murky depths of New York Harbor and back! 

Kids Discovery Zone – 1PM – 3PM

Come try on the clothing of both Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers and ladies. 

Historic Weapons Demonstration and Marching – 2PM – 3PM

March like a real Civil War soldier, then watch how weapons would have been fired during that time period.   

So celebrate the last weekend of the season by participating in National Public Lands Day!

We will meet at the beautiful Picnic Point. Just follow the signs when you get off the ferry. This will be a GIANT fun potluck picnic open to everyone. Bring friends, bring family, bring a “slow” potluck dish that costs under $5 and can serve around 3-5 people.

 Also bring:

-          plate, water bottle (with water), utensils

-          tablecloth (red, white, or red and white checkered)

-          musical instrument, if you feel like it

-          a camera–the views on Governors Island are fantastic!

-          a bicycle, if you want to toodle around the rest of the island before or after the potluck

-          a desire to meet other people and have a good time

-          your recipe printed up on index cards to swap with other people

For more information, and to sign up for the picnic, please visit www.slowfoodusa.org/govisland.

The Unicycle Festival stops on Governors Island with free activities and games on Saturday

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at riding a unicycle? Well now is your chance. Come to Governors Island on Saturday for A day of unicycle races, games, shows and more.

Visitors will be able to watch unicycle hockey, basketball, world record attempts, a one-wheeled show by the public and participate in games and relays.

The fun starts at noon so get ready to enjoy some one-wheeled fun in the middle of the Island.

The Governor of New York has issued a state of emergency, therefore the DMB Caravan events on Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th have been postponed.  New Caravan Governors Island dates will be announced as soon as they have been confirmed.