For immediate release:
October 16, 2009

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano, (212) 440-2205


Governors Island Has Record Breaking 2009 Season
More than 275,000 visitors came to Governors Island to ride bikes, play miniature golf, enjoy Picnic Point and art exhibitions

Island experienced a 110% increase in number of visitors since last year

Programming partners and Governors Island volunteers contributed to unprecedented success

Governors Island welcomed a record 275,000 visitors during the public access season from May 30 – October 11, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) today announced. Visitors came to enjoy a wide range of arts and recreational opportunities, many of them never before available to the public. The number of visitors to Governors Island in 2009 was a 110% increase over the previous year.

Over the past several years, the number of visitors to Governors Island has increased dramatically. In 2005, the Island welcomed only 8,000 visitors. In 2006, this increased to 26,000. In 2007, 56,000 people visited, and in 2008, 128,000 came.

“Governors Island is becoming a destination for visitors to experience arts and recreation opportunities that are unique in New York,” said Leslie Koch, GIPEC president. “We are so pleased that 275,000 visitors came to the Island to experience the arts and enjoy acres of open green space in the middle of New York Harbor.”

There were many new experiences visitors could have on Governors Island in 2009. For the first time, the entire 2.2 mile promenade was available for walking and biking. Picnic Point became the Island’s newest and most popular open space, with hammocks, swings, a three acre sustainable farm, and unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty. And, there was a free ferry from Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry Landing to Governors Island on Saturdays and Sundays. Nearly 30,000 visitors took the free, seven minute ferry ride between Brooklyn and the Island on weekends this season.

Dozens of programming partners created exhibitions, installations, and programs for Governors Island visitors. More than 30 historic buildings were re-animated with cultural exhibitions and programs, and over the course of the season, programming partners presented dozens of concerts and performances.

There were also a wide variety of recreational activities and programs for the public to enjoy as well. Biking remains one of Governors Island’s most popular activities. One in four visitors to Governors Island bikes while visiting. On Bike and Roll’s™ Free Bike Fridays, visitors could borrow a bike for free for up to one hour. On these days, more than one in three visitors enjoyed more than five miles of car-free bike paths.

Partners also created recreational and educational programming ranging from sporting events and visitor activities, to lectures and hands-on educational opportunities.

Governors Island volunteers were also critical to the season’s success. Volunteers were stationed at the Battery Maritime Building, at Pier 101 and Soissons Dock on Governors Island to answer inquiries and direct visitors. Volunteers came from across the five boroughs to volunteer this year.

A full list of all partners who brought programming to Governors Island in 2009 is as follows:

Arts and cultural partners
4 Heads
African Film Festival
Angel Orensanz Foundation
Archeological Dig
Children's Museum of the Arts
CREATIVETIME
Explore NY 400
FIGMENT
Flanders House
Governors Island Alliance
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
Make Music New York
Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra
Pioneers of Change
New Island Festival
New York Studio School
NY 400
Open House New York
Pulse Theatre Ensemble
Sculptors Guild
Trinity Wall Street
Water Taxi Beach
Watermill Center

Educational programming partners
Added Value
Cornell Cooperative Extension
CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities
Enviromedia Mobile
National Park Service
NY/NJ Baykeeper
Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
Water Pod

Recreational programming partners
Bike and Roll
Downtown Boat House
Kissena Cycling Club
Manhattan Youth / Downtown Day Camp
Manhattan Polo Classic
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
NYC and Company
RECESS
Swim NYC
Transportation Alternatives
World Trade Center Run to Remember

Governors Island will reopen in May 2010. To stay informed about Governors Island, visit www.govislandblog.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.