Photo courtesy The Trust for Governors Island
Get early access to New York City’s newest destination: The Hills at Governors Island will open to the public on July 19th but Untapped Cities readers can an early preview on Friday, June 24th at 2:45pm, while the new park is still under construction. Tickets are limited for this special behind the scenes construction tour and sales will go fast, so get in early on this unique access!
On this tour, you’ll learn about the Island’s history from military base to open green space and get an inside look at the recent and ongoing transformation of the barren landfill on the south island into 40 acres of lush new green space and park. You’ll get an unbelievable view of the New York harbor, lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from the summit. We’ll hear about the engineering feat behind the construction of The Hills, which will include New York City’s longest slide, new hills rising 70 feet above sea level, a granite “scramble” made of old blocks repurposed from the old island seawall, and the planting of nearly 3,000 new trees.
Photo courtesy The Trust for Governors Island
All guests must wear closed-toe shoes as this is an active construction site. The ferry is a quick 7 minute ride and after you dock you will meet your tour guide at the Welcome Wall, located just to the left of where you exit the boat on Governors Island. The group will walk to the Hills (roughly 10 minutes from the ferry landing). From the summit of Outlook Hill (70 feet above sea level), the tour guide will show the group all the unique and amazing features of all four Hills and share fun facts as well as some details of the Hills construction.
Tour length is 1.5 hours.
Photo courtesy The Trust for Governors Island
Renderings of the project once it will be completed (images courtesy The Trust for Governors Island)