I Love Governors Island - Part 2

No, I haven't been away on another cruise on the Queen Mary 2, but I am on a wonderful adventure I'll be telling you about soon!

 As promised, I wanted to show you more about Governors Island.  My part one post about the island can be read here.  The magnificent Cunard cruise line's Queen Mary 2 was docked at the new Brooklyn, New York Cruise terminal and was visible across Buttermilk Channel from Governor's island in New York Harbor.  Notice the size of the NYC Water Taxi passing by the ship! 

There are many plans to convert the former military base of Governors Island into park land and public spaces in the future, but right now a visit to the island is very enjoyable, just for the spectacular views!  My husband and I sat on a park bench like this one, in the north eastern section of the island, for quite a while enjoying this wonderful view of lower Manhattan.

It was so relaxing watching the sail boats....

....and the ferries.....

...and even a clipper ship passed by. 

 I enjoyed seeing the juxtaposition between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan bridge in this photo.

Walking a little further west on the northern area of Governors Island we passed a New York City Water Taxi Beach. It is a waterfront spot for great music all summer long from its concert stage, with food and drinks available for purchase, along with more spectacular views of lower Manhattan.

Walking further west on the 2.2 mile long perimeter promenade of the island we pass the historic Castle Williams, which is a circular fortification of red sandstone on the northwest point of Governors Island, part of a system of forts designed and constructed in the early 1800s to protect New York City from naval attack. It is a prominent landmark in New York Harbor. It is presently undergoing restoration

Walking further along you can see in the distance of the harbor the beginning of the Hudson River, which separates New Jersey and the island of Manhattan.

Walking further on the promenade, on its western side, we see the Statue of Liberty appear in the distance.

There is a little park in this vicinity with swings for children, and also some seat swings that fit two adults. Here I am swinging and enjoying the view of Lady Liberty in the harbor!

Here is the informational placard about the Statue of Liberty that was in the area, and a view of the swing I was on in the background.

This area is named "Picnic Point." This new eight acre space on Governors Island’s south western shore was developed after ten old, but not historic, former Coast Guard apartment buildings were demolished.

Picnic Point provides picnic tables, red Adirondack chairs and hammocks available for all to enjoy.

It is a nice place to enjoy the view of the Statue of Liberty and also watch all the assortments of bicycles pass by.

I can never tire looking at this beautiful lady!

Now we turn in our walk along the southern perimeter of the island. 

 It is this area where we first saw the Queen Mary 2.

Walking close to the south eastern part of the island we passed the Trapeze School New York (TSNY) and Big Apple Circus offers Flying Trapeze Lessons on the Parade Ground area on Governors Island. While not a permanent activity it is one of the many rotating fun events available on the island during the summer.

Governors Island is really a remarkable place to spend the day! The views, activities, picnic opportunities, music, art exhibits and more all add up to a family friendly public space and a wonderful addition to New York City Parks.  It is open to visitors this year on Fridays, Saturday and Sunday until early October, and it will re-open again in the Spring of 2011.  If you have the opportunity to visit it you won't be disappointed.  I know I'll be spending much more time on the island in the future!

I won't have much computer access in the next few days so please be patient with me.  I'll be reading all your comments and visiting your blogs as soon as I am able. I hope everyone is enjoying these last days of August!

I Love Governors Island!

My husband and I took the ferry to Governors Island a few weekends ago, and we had a wonderful time exploring the island that is now open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October 10, 2010. It will re-open again to visitors in the spring of 2011. The Governors Island ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan.  The ferry ride and nearly all events that take place on the Island are free!

(all photos can be enlarged by clicking on once, and then again when they open in a new window)

Governors Island is a 172-acre island in Upper New York Bay, approximately one-half mile from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. It is legally part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Because of its strategic location in the harbor, Governors Island has a long history of being used by the military, from the Continental Army during the American Revolution, to the U.S. Army from 1783 to 1966. From 1966 to 1996 the island served as a major the United States Coast Guard installation.  On January 31, 2003, control of most of the island was transferred to the State of New York for a symbolic $1, but 22 acres was transferred to the United States Department of the Interior as the Governors Island National Monument, administered by the National Park Service. The portion of the island not included in the National Monument is administered by the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC), a public corporation of the State of New York.

The ferry leaving the terminal.

A Governor's Island ferry, making a return trip to lower Manhattan, can be seen in this photo.

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A map of the island and the current amenities.  The promenade around the island is easily walkable 2.2 miles. There are now future plans to convert the island into a park to be used for recreation, car-free biking, cultural programming, and relaxation. To see renditions of what the future may hold for Governors Island parks look at this web site.

More interesting facts about the island can be read on this informational placard that was on the island.  Click on to enlarge. 

The day we visited the island there were special Civil War reenactments taking place. 

Some examples of the various types of military housing that still stand on the island.

Visitors to Governors Island can bring their own bicycles.  Bicycles, quadricycles, and tandems can also be rented.

I was pleasantly surprised to see an Etsy store in one of the former residences.

The homemade goods for sale were creatively displayed among a few rooms of the house.

A nice idea to use vintage china, glued together, as display tiers.  Even I could make something as pretty and useful as this!

Across  Buttermilk Channel, in Brooklyn's new cruise terminal in Red Hook, the Queen Mary 2, Cunard's flagship luxury cruise ship was docked, ready to depart on a cruise later that evening.  Isn't she beautiful? The QM2 holds a special place in our hearts, as we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on a fall foliage cruise to New England and Canada on board during her maiden year.

Come back to my next blog post with part two of Governors Island where I'll show some of the magnificent views that can be seen from its shores!