Mayor Bloomberg Announces Completion of First Phase of New Governors Island Park and Plants 800,000th Tree as part of MillionTreesNYC
Nov 15, 2013 2:57 pm
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg yesterday planted the final tree of the new park in Liggett Terrace, marking the completion of the first phase of park on Governors Island. The tree was also the 800,000th tree in the MillionTreesNYC initiative. [caption id=“attachment_7343” align=“alignnone” width=“468”]
From left to right: First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, Trust for Governors Island Board Member Catherine Hughes, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Dept. of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Veronica M. White, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Trust for Governors Island President Leslie Koch and Chair Ronay Menschel, and (last but not least) @Birdie_NYC.[/caption] The Mayor made the announcement on Governors Island on Thursday morning where he was joined by First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Veronica M. White, Trust for Governors Island Chair Ronay Menschel and President Leslie Koch, State Senator Daniel Squadron, landscape architect Adriaan Geuze of West 8, and a wide range of civic organizations, advocacy groups, Harbor School students, Island programming organizations and others to celebrate the milestones. “At the beginning of our Administration, Governors Island was little more than an abandoned and neglected green space with derelict buildings,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Twelve years later, Governors Island has become a major attraction for New Yorkers and visitors, as its 172 acres continue to grow more dynamic, more resilient and more beautiful each day. Today marks another important step forward for the Island, and the 800,000th tree of our MillionTreesNYC program could not have a better home, where it will be part of this spectacular new park that will open next spring.” The new 30 acres of park include Liggett Terrace, a sunny, six-acre plaza with seasonal plantings, seating, water features and public art; Hammock Grove, a ten-acre forested space that is home to 1,500 new trees, play areas and 50 hammocks; and the Play Lawn, 14 acres for play and relaxation that includes two natural turf ball fields sized for adult softball and Little League baseball. In addition, new welcome areas have been added at the Island’s ferry landings, as have key visitor amenities, including lighting, seating and signage throughout the Historic District. The Island and the new park spaces will open to the public in May of 2014. [caption id=“attachment_7342” align=“aligncenter” width=“468”]
Liggett Terrace is a sunny, six acre plaza with seasonal plantings, seating, water features, and public art. Photo: Timothy Schenck Photography courtesy of The Trust for Governors Island.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7347” align=“aligncenter” width=“468”]
Visitors to Hammock Grove can relax in one of its fifty hammocks, and enjoy spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. Photo: Timothy Schenck Photography courtesy of The Trust for Governors Island.[/caption] This past July, Mayor Bloomberg broke ground on The Hills, an additional 10 acres that are the culminating feature of the new Governors Island Park. Made of recycled construction and fill materials, The Hills will rise 25 to 80 feet above the Island, and the summit of the tallest Hill will provide visitors with a 360-degree panorama of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Lower Manhattan skyline. The Hills are currently under construction with the goal of completion in 2015. The new park is designed by West 8, an internationally acclaimed firm based in Rotterdam that has designed award-winning parks around the world. West 8 was selected in May 2007 after an international design competition. The full Governors Island Park and Public Space Master Plan is available at www.govislandpark.com. Yesterday’s announcement is just the most recent development in Governors Island’s transformation. The Island has become a popular public destination in recent years, with close to 400,000 visitors during the 2013 season, compared to a mere 26,000 visitors as recently as 2006. Dozens of cultural and recreational organizations have taken advantage of the Island’s historic buildings and green spaces to present lively free programs to the public. Thursday morning’s tree planting ceremony drew a crowd of 450 visitors, many of whom played a role in bringing the new park to life. After the ceremony, visitors were invited to explore the new park spaces and enjoy the brisk yet sunny November morning on Governors Island. To see spectacular photographs of the recently completed park spaces, visit the Governors Island Flickr stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/govisland/sets/72157637663966654/. [caption id=“attachment_7344” align=“aligncenter” width=“468”]
An enthusiastic crowd of 450 people ventured out to Governors Island for the tree planting ceremony in Liggett Terrace.[/caption]