Governors Island opened last weekend with a free family festival and Downtown Little League games. Before departing for Governors Island, visitors first got a look at “Playing the Building,” a sound installation by David Byrne that taps into the Battery Maritime Building’s natural tones. Lulu De Bever, 3, of Brooklyn, played the building, above. Among the early island arrivals were radical attorney Ron Kuby and his wife, below. The two made a spontaneous decision to go to Governors, having been out for a bicycle ride around the Battery when they noticed the free ferry service once again operating. The couple, who currently live in the West Village, said they plan to move back soon to the East Village. Also on the island, Linda Fairstein, formerly a lead prosecutor for the district attorney, signed copies of “Killer Heat,” her latest crime novel, left. As for biking, from June 6 to Oct. 4, bikes will be free for an hour on Fridays on Governors Island through Free Bike Fridays, paid for by an anonymous Brooklyn donor. People can bring their own or rent bikes at Bike and Roll, located to the left of the ferry dock on Governors Island. After the first free hour on Fridays and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, the cost of renting a children’s bike and an adult beach cruiser is $5 for 30 minutes, $10 for 2 hours and $15 for the whole day. Visitors must bring photo ID or a credit card to rent a bike and anyone under 14 is required to wear a helmet, though safety gear is available for everyone. Governors Island will be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 5. The island is accessible by ferry, which can be taken free from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Sts.
Downtown Express photo above by Jefferson Siegel
Downtown Express photo below by Tequila Minsky
