During hot and humid summers, New Yorkers often catch the ferry to Governors Island to take pictures of the Manhattan skyline or eat an ice cream as they saunter around the promenade.
Now 10 acres of greenery have been added to the island, the first time in recent years that such a large space has been opened to the public in the proximity of Manhattan.
In a city of eight million people, any new green space has to be a welcome development.
Even more exciting, perhaps, is that the island now boasts the city’s longest slide at 57 feet, open for free to both children and adults.
“This is an incredible park project that has spanned two administrations. No other city boasts anything quite like it,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement.
So-called “Slide Hill” has four slides.
Among the newly-built grassy mounds at the southern side of the island is “Outlook Hill”, which is even taller at 70 feet high, offering views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty.
Various officials gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony including former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The work to transform the 170-acre island has taken 13 years, since it was re-opened to the public in 2003.
Various elements of the island, including the historic Fort Jay eagle statue on top of the military fort, were badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy and have since competed with countless other National Parks for grants.
Officials hope the former abandoned military base will eventually become a “year-round destination” for visitors, with modern art, plays, picnic spots and other forms of recreation.
It is open every day until 25 September, with free daily ferry rides until 22 July.
The island began as a colonial military fort in the mid-18th century and was not shut until 1996.
