Governors Island opens with new spaces and behind the scenes tours


Governors Island will open to the public on Saturday 25 May with new spaces and behind the scenes tours. Soissons Landing and the South Battery are new spaces that have been transformed. The South Battery, once a parking lot is now a new green space surrounding one of the Island’s forts.

Soissons Landing and the South Battery are part of the Park and Public space master plan designed by the acclaimed landscape architecture firm West 8. The first phase includes 30 acres of new park in the center of the Island that has always been off limits to the public.

South Battery | BEFORE
South Battery | AFTER

Visitors taking the ferry from Manhattan will disembark at the new Soissons Landing. They will be greeted by a new, lush lawn, dozens of London Plane trees and shrubs, and the new Welcome
Wall. The Welcome Wall provides visitors with a map and information including the day’s programming and upcoming events

Behind the Scenes Tours

Join The Trust for Governors Island or members of the West 8 design team for a sneak peak of the construction of the 30 acres of new park and public spaces at the center of the Island. This tour takes visitors through the park construction site. Space on the tours is limited and is available on a first-come, first served basis. Tours begin and end at Liggett Arch. Hardhats and vests will be provided and closed-toe footwear is required. Children over the age of 7 are welcome on tours.

The first tour takes place on Saturday 25 May at 11:15 AM and Sunday 26 May at 3 PM, rain or shine. The Trust’s president, Leslie Koch, will personally lead the Sunday tour. These tours are first come, first served and begin @ Liggett Arch. Advanced registration is not required. Visitors over the age of 7 are welcome and all participants must wear closed toed shoes. Waivers, hard hats and safety vests will be provided.

Dates of tours are as follows |
Saturday, May 25, 2013 (11:30am – 12:15pm)
Sunday, May 26, 2013 (3:00 – 3:45pm)
Saturday, June 29, 2013 (11:30am – 12:15pm)
Sunday, June 30, 2013 (3:00 – 3:45pm)
Saturday, July 27, 2013 (11:30am – 12:15pm)
Sunday, July 28, 2013 (3:00 – 3:45pm)
Saturday, August 24, 2013 (11:30am – 12:15pm)
Sunday, August 25, 2013 (3:00 – 3:45pm)
Saturday, September 28, 2013 (11:30am – 12:15pm)
Sunday, September 29, 2013 (3:00 – 3:45pm

Governors Island opens to the public this Saturday, May 25 and will be open every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Monday through the end of September.

More information about this years events on Governors Island

IMAGE CREDITS | The Trust for Governors Island

About Damian Holmes 3252 Articles
Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA). He is a registered landscape architect (AILA) working in international design practice in Australia. Damian founded WLA in 2007 to provide a website for landscape architects written by landscape architects. Connect on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianholmes/

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