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.

The Jazz Age Lawn party is back this weekend!

Governors Island will be transformed into the roaring 1920′s on Saturday and Sunday when Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra return for the Jazz Age Lawn party.

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment that will delight the whole family. This Jazz-Age Lawn party brings you back in time to the 1920s for a rollicking and delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, and games. This event requires tickets. They are $7 in advance or $10 on Governors Island.

Some of the featured activities include:

• Parade of Hats
• 1920′s vintage motor car exhibition
• Charleston lessons
• Pie recipe context

and much more!

Nacho Figueras and the Black Watch team will hit the field at 2:30 on Sunday.

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is once again coming to Governors Island this Sunday. We have gotten several questions from those interested in coming, so we put together so you can plan your trip!

Timing of the match and festivities

The polo match starts at 2:30 PM, but visitors are encouraged to come early to stake out their spots and enjoy the pre-match food, drink and festivities.

Gates to the South Island Fields open at 11 AM. Food and soft drink service also begins at 11 AM. Alcoholic beverages will be served after 12 PM.

What to Bring

The South Island Fields are the perfect place to see a polo match but it can be a bit sunny and shade is limited. You may wish to bring sunscreen and a hat, as well as bottled water. You may also bring blankets or chairs on which to sit.

What not to Bring

The only animals allowed on Governors Island for the polo match are the horses so please leave your pets at home. Alcohol can also not be brought to the Island. Alcohol will be available for purchase at match, as will soft drinks. 

Where to Sit

The western side of the field (side closest to Picnic Point and the Statue of Liberty) is entirely open to the public. The Southern end of the field, near the old picnic gazebos, is also available for lawn seating for the public. Limited bleacher seating is available on the western side as well.

End of the Match

The match is scheduled to end at 3:30 PM, with the awards ceremony concluding at 4:00 PM. The South Island fields will close to all visitors at 5 PM.

We hope to see you out on the Island this Sunday!