MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES THAT GOVERNORS ISLAND WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR-ROUND BEGINNING THIS FALL

 

NYC Ferry to serve Governors Island daily and year-round

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Trust for Governors Island announced today that Governors Island will be open to the public year-round, beginning this fall. Starting November 1, New Yorkers will be able to access Governors Island’s open space, cultural programming, and recreational resources beyond its traditional May through October season for the first time. 

Mayor de Blasio, the Trust, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) also announced today that NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island daily, year-round beginning with the launch of the Coney Island Route this fall. NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island’s Yankee Pier via the South Brooklyn Route, expanding direct access from Red Hook, Atlantic Ave/Brooklyn Bridge Park-Pier 6, DUMBO/Fulton Ferry, and Corlears Hook in the Lower East Side for Governors Island visitors and growing community of tenants.

 

“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,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “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.”

 

"Governors Island has been an oasis for New Yorkers for nearly two decades, and I'm so pleased that it will now become a destination in all seasons," said Vicki Been, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. "The Governors Island team has been working hard to expand the type and number of partner organizations on the Island -- not to mention the Climate Solutions Center we have in the works -- and this year-round public ferry access is a critical part of realizing our full vision for this green, cultural, and educational hub."

 

“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,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “This 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. I thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYCEDC for their partnership in this extraordinary achievement, as well as Council Members Margaret Chin, Carlina Rivera, State Senator Brian Kavanagh and all of our elected leaders for their advocacy and support.”

 

“We are pleased to support Governors Island as it opens year-round to the public with our expanded NYC Ferry service later this year. Waterway transportation is key to our recovery and opening Governors Island 12 months of the year is another illustration of New York City’s wonderful future,” said Rachel Loeb, President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. “Congratulations to the Trust for Governors Island and everyone who has made this vision become a reality.”

 

Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Governors Island into a remarkable resource for New Yorkers. Following its transfer from federal to local control in 2003, the City of New York and the Trust for Governors Island have worked to invest in expanding public access to Governors Island, which has traditionally welcomed visitors in the summer months but has long been envisioned as a destination accessible year-round.