September 15, 2008
Governors Island All the Rage
More than 100,000 people have taken the free ferry over to Governors Island so far this year, up from 56,000 in 2007 and 26,000 in 2006. Today the Times takes a look at the 172-acre island's new-found popularity among everyone from crowd-surfing punks to exuberant swing dancers. If only those groups could one day share the same dance floor!
Oh, and let's not forget the island's appeal for miniature golfers. The Figment celebration of participatory arts currently features the "City of Dreams Mini-Golf" course, with 9 holes of imaginatively designed putting greens. It's open Fridays through Sundays until October 12th, and it's free. So are the bikes and kites next weekend, when the first 250 visitors each day will be given a kite to fly on the island's Parade Ground, and the bicycles will be available for one hour rentals at no charge.
The island closes for the season on October 12th, so check out the ferry schedule here. (Bikes can be brought on the boat at no charge.) It's open to the public Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. And behold the city's ambitious plans for a 40-acre park on the island.
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Good way to cop a feel.
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The Punk Island music festival rocked. Skum City played, as did Reagan Youth, The Blame, Status Quo No Show, Grizzly Smith, Dealin' With It, The Alley Rats and more.
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"Let's not forget the island's appeal for miniature golfers."
I believe they like to be called dwarfs. No need to resort to name-calling, Gothamist. Jeeze.
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It was nice in 2007 but this year it's starting to feel a lot more crowded. I kinda liked it with fewer people...made the island feel more like an oasis in the middle of the city.
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should build affordable housing on this island
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and a giant wall all around to block any views
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I just went during the workday. No crowds to contend with.
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@6,
How did you go during the workday (my brilliant idea many months ago, utterly thwarted by the ferry's schedule)?? How do you access the island Monday through Thursday?? DO tell.
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They forgot to mention the first annual Governors Island Art fair that's running every weekend this month...
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do only white people go to Governor's Island?
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[7] Friday is a workday.