For immediate release:
Tuesday, September 10, 2008

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano: 212-440-2205


Governors Island Welcomes Record 100,000 Visitors  
Visitors to Island have nearly doubled since last year, four times the number in 2006

Free Bike Fridays, concerts and other programs attract thousands from neighborhoods across New York City

Free Bike and Kite Weekend September 19 - 21

Governors Island has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to date this summer, officials from the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) today announced. Since 2005, the number of visitors to Governors Island has increased more than ten times. Governors Island opened to the public on May 31 and will remain open every Friday – Sunday through October 12.

“Governors Island has been reactivated with an unprecedented number of activities and programs,” said GIPEC Chair Avi Schick. “We are proud that more than 100,000 New Yorkers and visitors have discovered all that Governors Island has to offer.”

For the first time, Governors Island is open for three days per week in the 2008 season, and has extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Also for the first time, the Island will be open into the fall, with its closing day scheduled for October 12. There are more activities and programs than ever for visitors to enjoy, from free kayaks to free bikes, miniature golf, and outdoor public art exhibitions.

Governors Island is fast becoming an attraction for both New Yorkers and visitors. In 2005, only 8,000 people visited, with 26,000 coming in 2006 and 56,000 in 2007. In 2008, more than 100,000 have come to date. As a comparison, on a peak Saturday this year, Governors Island is drawing the same number of daily visitors as Ellis Island, one of New York City’s great attractions, and is welcoming more than 50% of the traffic received by the Statue of Liberty on a typical summer day.

Biking is one of Governors Island’s most popular activities, with one in five visitors borrowing, renting or riding a bike here. Free Bike Fridays has been an enormously popular program, particularly with day camps and children’s groups, attracting thousands of visitors to date. On Fridays, visitors can borrow a bike for free for up to one hour, while on Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can rent a bike for a small fee.

Based on the success of Free Bike Fridays and Governors Island’s place as a biking destination, there will be a Free Bike and Kite Weekend from September 19 to 21. On these days, visitors can come out to Governors Island to borrow a bike for free for up to one hour. Transportation Alternatives, which currently sponsors Free Bike Fridays, is also sponsoring Free Bike Weekend. Bikes are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. The first 250 visitors each day will also be given a free kite to fly on the Island’s Parade Ground.

"This year's visitor numbers demonstrate how Governors Island is becoming a signature destination for New York Harbor," said GIPEC Vice Chair Dan Doctoroff. "We are certain that this record breaking season is only the beginning of bringing Governors Island and New York Harbor back to life."

“Each year, we offer more and more activities and programs for the public to enjoy,” said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. “I am thrilled that so many people have come to take a free bike ride, experience public art, and enjoy extraordinary performances.”

“Thanks to work of GIPEC and the National Park Service, it’s been another terrific summer for Governors Island” said Rob Pirani, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “More New Yorkers than ever have made the Island their park, and we expect thousands more to experience the Island over the next few weeks.”

A full schedule of the remaining Governors Island weekend events is below:

Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra Jazz Age Weekend, all day

This is the fourth Jazz Age Festival for Governors Island, with the first three drawing more than 10,000 visitors. A wide array of music, activities, games and contests are open for all ages are planned, including Charleston lessons, vintage clothing, horseshoes and a pie recipe contest.

Friday, September 19, Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, Free Bike and Kite Weekend, all day

Visitors can come to Governors Island and borrow a bike for up to one hour for free all weekend long. Bikes are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. The first 250 visitors each day will receive a free kite which they can fly on the Island’s Parade Ground.

Saturday, September 27: Improv Everywhere presents The Mp3 Experiment, 3 PM

Improv Everywhere will be bringing their fifth installment of their much-loved Mp3 Experiment project to Governors Island. Participants download an Mp3 from the group's website, load it onto their iPods, and then arrive to press play simultaneously at the pre-appointed time. Last year's event in Battery Park City had over 800 people participating. This year's event promises to be even grander in scale.

Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5: Open House New York, 10 AM to 2:30 PM

For the first time, GIPEC will open the entire Promenade to Open House New York, much of which is currently off limits to the public. Visitors can take tours of historic buildings, or take a tram tour of the southern portion of the Island, which has never before been open to the public.

Governors Island will be open through October 12.

How to Get to Governors Island
Governors Island is open every Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, on the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, in Lower Manhattan. For up to date ferry schedules and downloadable maps, please visit www.govisland.com.

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.