For the first time ever, Governors Island will be open until the end of October.
Governors Island opened one month early this year and will remain open for an additional month, according to a press release. The island, accessible via ferry, has only been open in the summertime since its new park opened to the public in 2014. It will now be open for a total of six months.
Governors Island will offer fall-themed activities, including Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns, hosted by RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns and featuring 1,000 hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins to line the island’s historic pathways. Visitors will also have the opportunity to reserve the Parade Ground, a nine-acre green space behind Fort Jay with space for full-size regulation football fields, lacrosse fields, and soccer fields.
“Autumn is the most visually striking time to visit Governors Island, with vibrant foliage in our park and historic scenery unlike anywhere else in New York City,” Michael Samuelian, president of the Trust for Governors Island, said in a statement.
School groups and youth/adult sports leagues are also encouraged to use the sports fields, which include two natural turf ball fields to play youth baseball, adult softball, and soccer. Public schools and youth groups have access to these fields for free and it costs $250 per hour for adult leagues and private schools to utilize.
The ultimate goal is to have Governors Island open year-round. “With the inclusion of October, visitors are now able to take advantage of one of the region’s most unique public spaces during the spring, summer, and fall,” Samuelian said in a statement. “Extending the season into October is an important step in our efforts to activate the Island year-round.”
Governors Island is open daily through Oct. 31 from 10am-6pm Monday-Friday and 10am-7pm Saturday-Sunday and holidays. For more information, visit the Governors Island website.
RELATED:
Governors Island: Family Outing
Get Weekend Activities Sent to Your Inbox
Main image: Governors Island offers seven miles of car-free biking.
Photo courtesy Governors Island
