governors island

Governors Island:  The little Island with big potential

2021 NYC Mayoral candidates have vastly different ideas of what should become of the little island in the middle of the NY/NJ waterways.  What is now abandoned military buildings and vast open spaces, could become anything from condo buildings to a casino, to a giant park.  

The history of Governors Island pre-dates the history of the colonization of The United States.  Nut Island, named for the bounty of chestnut, oak, and hickory trees on the island, was "purchased" from the Lenape Indians by Dutch settlers in the early 1600s.  When it was later captured by the British, the name was changed to Nuttin Island, which came from the misinterpretation of the Dutch spelling of Nut Island, Noten Eylandt.  Eventually, around 1700, the name Governors Island was introduced when the island was used "for the benefit and accommodation of His Majesty's Governors".  

At the time of the Revolutionary War, Governor's Island was used as a North American Headquarters for the British, after Washington was defeated in the Battle of Brooklyn.  After the British retreated at the end of the war, all British owned lands were given to New York and forts were built on the island to protect the US from future invasions.  The island had various roles in the American Civil War, including a prisoner holding area for captured Confederate soldiers and then later an Army headquarters and place for military families to live.  The history continues through an expansion of the island (thanks to the rocks dug up from the Lex Ave subway), World War I and World War II, and then a transfer of hands to the US Coast Guard in the 1900s.  

The military finally left Governors Island in 1995 and the land went to the state of NY and then NYC specifically.  In 2001, President Clinton designated the fort and castle on Governors Island as National Monuments and they were then the responsibility of the National Parks Service, but it wasn't until 2005 that people were allowed to visit the island.  Ferries began to run from Brooklyn and Manhattan and parks were designed to allow accessibility to all this open space.  In the last few years, so much has grown and changed on the island and it's now a beautiful spot to spend a Summer Saturday when in NYC.  

The parks on the island are pristine and you often see families picnicking in the grass and riding bikes on the trails around the island.  There are very few buildings so the open spaces are a massive perk to those that live in the concreate jungle.  Also, because of the lack of tall buildings, there are gorgeous NYC views from all sides of Governors Island.  One of our favorite spots to visit in the summer is the restaurant, Oyster Island.  The seafood and cocktails are delicious and the atmosphere is festive.  Take the ferry (a fun excursion all on it's own), relax with a book on a blanket in the park, and then head over to Oyster Island for food & drinks.  Along the way you'll pass the old military buildings and Castle Williams.  Not a bad way to spend a summer Saturday in NYC.

If you are looking for more than relaxation, Governors Island offers something for everyone.  There are numerous public art displays, a couple of playgrounds for the kids (including one that allows them to build inventions with no parent supervision!), various festivals, slide hill, hammock grove, bike rentals, fruit picking at the local orchard, and even jazz on the lawn.  There is so much to see and do, I can't even imagine what it will be like when new development comes to the Island.

Want other ideas for a summer Saturday in NYC, check out Dumbo, LIC Gantry Plaza State Park, The Battery, Greenpoint, and of course, Central Park.