Six public workshops at the end of this month are a part of GIPEC's design process for the Island's parks and public spaces. The workshops will be spread over two days, Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28 (see details below).
The design team, led by the Dutch firm West 8, wants your opinion about the kinds of activities that would be most suitable for the Island - biking, picnics, concerts, ball games, fishing or whatever.
Each workshop will start with a tour of the park area on the southern half of the Island, currently off limits to the public. Participants may tour by tram or bike. After the tour, they will take part in a facilitated conversation.
These workshops mark the initial preparations for GIPEC's master plan for the 80-plus acres of future parks and public spaces. This includes the already protected 32 acres of green space in the Historic District, the 14-acre Great Promenade encircling the Island and 40 acres of park space in the southern half of the Island.
The design team, led by the Dutch firm West 8, wants your opinion about the kinds of activities that would be most suitable for the Island - biking, picnics, concerts, ball games, fishing or whatever.
Each workshop will start with a tour of the park area on the southern half of the Island, currently off limits to the public. Participants may tour by tram or bike. After the tour, they will take part in a facilitated conversation.
These workshops mark the initial preparations for GIPEC's master plan for the 80-plus acres of future parks and public spaces. This includes the already protected 32 acres of green space in the Historic District, the 14-acre Great Promenade encircling the Island and 40 acres of park space in the southern half of the Island.
The master plan will describe and illustrate the fundamental concepts and organization of the park, identifying and illustrating key features, their character and their location. GIPEC aims to have this done by June 2009. This is the first step toward preparing the park design.
GIPEC is committed to public input throughout the process. It plans additional public meetings this fall, working towards release of a draft plan next spring. The Governors Island blog (www.govislandblog.com) is another way in which GIPEC can keep the public up to date on the park design process.
Ready to tell GIPEC what you want in your park? Then head to the Island on September 27th and 28th. You may also check out the findings from the Alliance's 2004 Community Workshop here and the 2006 Guidelines for Parks and Public Spaces here. They offer specific suggestions you may want to consider.
Reservations required; e-mail to Ellen Cavanagh at GIPEC -- ecavanagh@empire.state.ny.us. Indicate which workshop you wish to attend and whether you will ride the tram, ride your own bike or need to rent one from the kiosk on the Island.
More information on the free ferry to the Island is available at www.govisland.com.
GIPEC is committed to public input throughout the process. It plans additional public meetings this fall, working towards release of a draft plan next spring. The Governors Island blog (www.govislandblog.com) is another way in which GIPEC can keep the public up to date on the park design process.
Ready to tell GIPEC what you want in your park? Then head to the Island on September 27th and 28th. You may also check out the findings from the Alliance's 2004 Community Workshop here and the 2006 Guidelines for Parks and Public Spaces here. They offer specific suggestions you may want to consider.
Workshop Details
Workshops start at 10:15, 12:45 and 3:15 on both days. Ferries from Manhattan depart on the hour and take only 5 or 6 minutes. Meet in front of Building 110 on the Island. Workshops will end in time to catch a return ferry to Manhattan at 12:30, 3:30 or 5:30, respectively.Reservations required; e-mail to Ellen Cavanagh at GIPEC -- ecavanagh@empire.state.ny.us. Indicate which workshop you wish to attend and whether you will ride the tram, ride your own bike or need to rent one from the kiosk on the Island.
More information on the free ferry to the Island is available at www.govisland.com.