Okay this “immediate” press release is no longer so immediate, but I saw it for the first time today and wanted to share. I remember visiting Governors Island for the first time in 2006 when it was still something of a ghost town. One half expected to see a British redcoat galloping past on horseback. I hope you are able to visit Governors Island during the 2011 season.
“Governors Island is truly an extension of Lower Manhattan and of our great city,” said Manhattan Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin. “I am pleased that residents of Lower Manhattan neighborhoods and all New Yorkers will be able to enjoy free cultural, sports and recreational events on the Island this season.”
“This year, Governors Island will have more public art, lots of free bikes, and for the first time will be open on all holiday Mondays,” said Leslie Koch, president of The Trust for Governors Island. “We hope that all New Yorkers will come to the Island to experience a vacation without ever leaving the city.”
“The National Park Service looks forward to welcoming visitors to the reopening of Castle Williams later this season,” said Patti Reilly, Superintendent of the Governors Island National Monument. “We invite the public to come out to the Island and take part in all of the Park Service’s programs so that they can learn about the National Park System, the Island, its history and role in New York City.”
The roof of Castle Williams will indeed open this summer, in late July. Yet one more reason to venture across the harbor. Whatever you do, enjoy your summer.
The Strawfoot 
Wow, that’s a lot of people! Maybe I’ll plan to go on a rainy day. That’s great news about Castle Williams, too, it’ll be great to be able to go on the roof.
Yes, the opening of the castle roof, with its million dollar views of the harbor and Manhattan skyline, is going to be something special. I will let everyone know when it happens, which should be in about six weeks.