• News

    2017 Year In Review Released by The Trust

    The Trust For Governors Island released their Year In Review yesterday. It shows improvements and successes on the Island, in what was the longest public season since opening to visitors in 2003. You can download the full report here, with slick photos and graphics. These are select highlights from the report: From Michael Samuelian, President & CEO, The Trust for Governors Island: “We are thrilled to present The Trust for Governors Island’s first year in review report. 2017 marked our busiest season ever, as we welcomed nearly 800,000 visitors to experience one of the most unique open spaces in New York City. We expanded to a six-month season for the…

  • History,  News

    WWI Memorial Project Completed

    The Governors Island World War One Memorial Project has been successfully completed and three bronze tablets are back where they belong on the island. In three heartwarming rededication ceremonies held during Camp Doughboy WWI History Weekend, September 16-17, the memorials were unveiled by the U.S. Army’s storied 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division. The Iron Rangers traveled from Fort Riley, Kansas, to lead the ceremonies, and were joined by forty WWI reenactors. The Memorial Project was focused on three sites: *Private Merle David Hay, one of the first three Americans killed in the war; *Captain Harry L. Kimmell, a company commander who died at Fléville; *General John J. Pershing,…

  • Urban Assembly Harbor School
    News

    Island to Remain Open until Halloween

    Today the Trust for Governors Island and the Office of the Mayor announced what was kept secret this summer: the Island will remain open until October 31. This will be the longest the Island has remained open to the public on a daily basis since it became a public park in 2003. With the earlier-than-expected opening on May 1, this stretches the public season a full six months. The press release: Governors Island to Remain Open in October for the First Time, Expanding the Public Season “As we work to increase livability, affordability, safety and equity in this great City, I am incredibly proud that beginning this fall – and…

  • Leviathan
    History,  News

    WWI Centennial and the Governors Island Raiding Party

    Today is the centennial of U.S. entry into World War I. The war had already been raging for more than two years before Congress declared war on Germany and the Central Powers on April 6, 1917. What is not remembered much is that Governors Island was part of the first military action the U.S. Armed Forces undertook in the war, and it happened 100 years ago today. On April 2, 1917, readers saw in the morning newspapers that soldiers from the Twenty-Second Infantry Regiment had arrived to be garrisoned on Fort Jay. The one thousand men replaced two hundred Coast Artillerymen. The Twenty-Second had spent six years living in tents…

  • Michael M. Samuelian
    News

    Mayor Picks Architect & Planner Samuelian as Next President of Governors Island

    The city announced yesterday it is tapping an architect and urban planner as the next president of the Trust for Governors Island. Michael M. Samuelian is a vice president at the Related Companies, one of the nation’s biggest privately owned real estate firms, and he teaches at Cooper Union. He will step into the role vacated by Leslie Koch, the visionary leader of the Island for ten years, who stepped down last month after The Hills opened. By naming someone who comes from a strong real estate and construction background, the city signals that it wants to develop the two empty development zones on the south end, which featured prominently…

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  • Eagle Sculpture
    News

    5 Days Left to Vote to Save Our Eagle

    There are only five days left to vote in the Save Our Eagle campaign, to win funding from American Express to help restore the eagle sculpture above Fort Jay. There is a three-way push from the Governors Island National Monument, Friends of Governors Island, and The Trust For Governors Island to get the vote out. As we reported last month, the Governors Island National Monument is now in a competition with other national parks across the nation to try and get a piece of the $2 million grant to help bring back the historic 1790s sandstone sculpture to a better state of preservation. Out of twenty parks, only five will…

  • Pier 101
    News

    Brooklyn Ferry Service Expanded

    It is is a story we have been tracking for quite awhile: the ferry service to Brooklyn. On the eve of the fourteenth public season on the Island, good news was delivered today by the Trust For Governors Island. Opening weekend will have more ferries: Expanded ferry service from Brooklyn this summer! On opening weekend, ferries will run every half hour between Brooklyn and Governors Island from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Half hour service will run on Saturday, May 28, Sunday May 29 and Monday May 30. Funding for additional ferry service has been provided by Council Member Brad Lander. Find the full ferry schedule here.

  • Block House
    News

    Geocaching Comes to Governors Island

    Ready to explore 200 years of Island history? Join geocache fans and search for hidden caches stashed across Governors Island! On Sunday, May 29, pickup the free geocache clue sheet at the ferry landing welcome sign Friends of Governors Island tent (or log on to geocaching.com) and start your adventure. From one end of the Island to the other are caches that explore the history of the Island. When you find the cache, sign the logbook and return it to the cache. To participate all you need is a smartphone or handheld GPS device. The geocaching tour is created by The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide, the new guidebook from Globe…

  • Grilling
    News

    Barbecue Grills Come to Island

    If you are a fan of standing in front of a hot grill with a pair of tongs in one hand and a fork in the other, Governors Island is going to be a little better for you this summer. Last week The Trust for Governors Island announced that for the first time barbecue grills will be available to reserve on the Island. The Trust will have six new grills available that must be reserved in advance. Last year the Picnic Gathering program was launched to reserve picnic tables; now there are grills to go with them. The reservation even gets you a sweet classic Radio Flyer wagon to haul…

  • Arsenal CO House
    News

    Volunteer on Governors Island

    Spend some quality time on Governors Island – as a volunteer!  The Governors Island volunteer corps performs critical tasks from maintaining the Island’s lush landscapes to enhancing the visitor experience. With 172 acres, there’s a lot of ground to cover and many ways to lend a hand. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil gardening retreat or a lively social scene, the robust Volunteer Program has something for everyone. Volunteering on Governors Island is easy! Just follow these four steps: Review our available positions below and find one that’s right for you. Fill out a quick, easy online application. Attend a volunteer orientation and training. Have fun! Team Volunteering Spend a rewarding half day digging in the dirt! Available…