For immediate release:
October 7, 2009

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano, (212) 440-2205


Last Chance to Visit Governors Island this Year
Governors Island is open for one last weekend, October 9 -11

Visitors have one more opportunity to take part in Free Bike Fridays, see the ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG, art exhibitions and more

To date, Governors Island has welcomed a record 266,000 visitors

This weekend is the last chance to visit Governors Island before the end of the 2009 season, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) today announced. Governors Island is open from Friday, October 9 to Sunday October 11. Friday, October 9 will be the last time Bike and Roll’s™ Free Bike Fridays will be offered on the Island this year. Visitors can also enjoy cultural and recreational opportunities throughout the weekend, and additional buildings will be open to the public as a part of the seventh annual Open House New York. A record 266,000 visitors have come to Governors Island this public access season.

“There are three days left for visitors to come to Governors Island and experience all that is happening here,” said GIPEC president Leslie Koch. “We hope that even more visitors will come out this weekend to borrow a free bike on Free Bike Fridays, take part in Open House New York and enjoy free art exhibitions.”

Biking is one of Governors Island’s most popular activities. More than one quarter of all visitors ride a bike while visiting. Due to the tremendous popularity of Bike and Roll’s™ Free Bike Fridays program, more than one-third of all visitors bike on Governors Island on Fridays, when they can borrow a bike for free for up to one hour. Friday, October 9 will be the last opportunity for visitors to use a free bike on Governors Island this year.

“Governors Island is an incredible place to enjoy car-free cycling,” said Paul White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “We are so pleased that Free Bike Fridays has introduced biking to an entirely new group of New Yorkers and visitors.”

As a part of the last weekend on Governors Island, Bike and Roll™ will be selling children’s and adults bikes, as well as bike accessories.

In addition to Free Bike Friday and regularly scheduled activities this weekend, Governors Island will take part in the 7th annual Open House New York. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors will be invited to walk through additional buildings that are normally closed to the public.

Visitors will also have one last opportunity to tour the ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG, which also includes a self-guided exhibition located in the former mess hall. Access to the DIG is by ticket only, and tickets can be purchased at the DIG site.

Governors Island visitors can enjoy the following regularly scheduled activities and programs this weekend:

Bike and Roll’s Free Bike Friday, Friday, October 9
Visitors can borrow a bike for free for up to one hour and enjoy more than five-miles of car free biking.

Figment’s City of Dreams Miniature Golf Course, Friday – Sunday all day
Children and adults alike can enjoy this free, artist-designed 18 hole miniature golf course.

Painting Governors Island, Friday 10 AM to 4:15 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 6:15 PM
In historic "Building 408," eight painters exhibit their watercolors and oil paintings made on- site, on Governors Island.

Tours with the National Park Service, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:25 AM, 1:25 PM and 3:25 PM
Take a 45 minute walking tour with a National Park Service ranger around the National Historic District. Tours meet at the top of the hill by Soissons Dock.

For updated information about Governors Island programming, please visit www.govisland.com.

Governors Island is closed on Columbus Day, October 12.

Hours & Access for ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG
Governors Island is open to the public this Friday 10-5, Saturday and Sunday 10-7.

Hours of the ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG are as follows:

Friday, October 9: 10:30 AM - 4 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM)
Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
Admission to the ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG is by ticket only. Tickets can be purchased at the site of the exhibition on Governors Island.

Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: $5
Children (3-12 years): $3
Children under 3: Free


Bike and Roll™ Bike Sale
Adult Navigator 1.0 $125
Kids 20” cruiser $49
Kids 20” jet/mystic $25
Kids 24” (older models only) $99
Tagalong (older models only) $99
Kickstands $5
Racks $10
Training Wheels $10

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 run between Manhattan and Governors Island at least every hour on the weekend. There is also a free ferry from Brooklyn. Ferries run between the Fulton Ferry landing and Governors Island every 20 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays. For up to date ferry schedules, 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.