Governors Island. Image credit: Trust for Governors Island.
The island has seen large growth in visitors over the past several years. On September 28, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Trust for Governors Island announced that Governors Island will now be open year-round to the public starting November 1st. Governors Island, a 172 acre island in New York Harbor, was previously only open seasonally from May to October.
The announcement symbolizes the next step in growth for Governors Island, which has transformed over the past decade. The creation of a 43-acre park and an arts and cultural program have led to an increase in visitors over the past several years, with nearly one million visitors to Governors Island in 2019.
In addition, the Mayor announced that NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island with year-round daily service starting with the Coney Island Route launching this fall. The ferry will go to Governors Island’s Yankee Pier on the South Brooklyn Route, which expands access from Red Hook, Atlantic Ave/Brooklyn Bridge Park-Pier 6, DUMBO/Fulton Ferry, and Corlears Hook in the Lower East Side.
Starting immediately, NYC Ferry service will supplement daily ferries that the Trust runs from Lower Manhattan and peak season weekend service from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 and Red Hook. Additional NYC Ferry service on weekdays and non-summer weekends will operate via the South Brooklyn Route. On peak summer weekends, a dedicated shuttle to Yankee Pier from Wall St./Pier 11 will be operated by NYC Ferry.
The Trust for Governors Island is currently looking for proposals to operate concessions on Governors Island for all seasons. For more information, click here.
For more information on ferry service and visiting Governors Island, click here.
Mayor de Blasio stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine public space in this city – and now, we’re proud to keep the crown jewel of our harbor open to New Yorkers all year round. From expanded ferry service, to more amenities than ever, to year-round visitors from all over the city, there’s no better time to experience and invest in Governors Island.”
Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island stated, “Over the past two decades, a visionary idea to put Governors Island on the map as a public destination was outlined, and today we are proud to announce that Governors Island will now be open for New Yorkers to enjoy year-round. his announcement is an exciting moment in realizing our vision to increase equitable access to this remarkable resource and is an important step in realizing Governors Island’s full potential.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)