Outing to Governor’s Island
November 16 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Distance: about 3-3.5 miles
Time: about 2 hours
Not qualifying
We’ll take a short ferry ride to a 172 acre island located a few hundred yards off lower Manhattan to walk Governors Island. The walk will take us through natural areas, along former Coast Guard housing, and up a very small (70’) hill to great views of the Lower Harbor. Good chances for bird spotting and public arts too. Maybe even a cruise ship sighting at the Brooklyn Terminal across Buttermilk Channel.
Governors Island was a military post and later a major command headquarters United States Army from 1794 until 1966. For the next 30 years, it was home to Atlantic Area Command, the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest and most complex installation in the world. In 2003, the island was sold and transferred to two parties: 22 acres, designated as the Governors Island National Monument and administered by the National Park Service; and 150 acres is administered by The Trust for Governors Island.
Arriving at Soissons Landing ferry terminal on the island, our walk passes Castle Williams (1811) on our way to Colonels Row. Then we’ll head to Hammock Grove and the Oval, over to New York Harbor High School, and then along the promenade facing Ellis Island and Liberty Island. A short walk up to Outlook Hil, at 70’ the highest point on the island, followed by a stroll through the Hills section and Picnic Point at the breezy end facing the lower bay. Next we walk along the Brooklyn facing side and over to the South Battery, Parade Ground, and Nolan Park where officer housing still stands. Fort Jay and a public art work The Field Station of the Melancholy Marine Biologist are the last stops on our walk.
Wear walking shoes and warm layers. Heavy rain will cancel. Bring lunch if you’d like to stay on the island, as there might be just a few vendors open at this time of the season.
Meet @ 9:30 on 11/16 inside the Govenors Island Ferry Terminal at 10 South St Slip 7, New York, NY 10004. It’s near the heliport, just a minute north of the South Ferry. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, N, R and WW trains are nearby. We’ll aim for the 10:00 am ferry which is free.
Leader: Marty McDonald webmaster@noany.org or phone 646-232-7203 by Friday November 15.
