Park in Progress

There is an island about a kilometre off the tip of Manhattan called Governor's Island. It had been in the military forever, followed by the coast guard, until a few years ago when it was handed over to the city. It is a park in progress and there are great plans. Meanwhile, empty heritage homes and ancient fortifications and condemned industrial buildings mix with greenery and great views of New Jersey, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. The juxtaposition of these now-useless massive military living quarters and infrastructure alongside quaint rural sea-side charm is quirky and a tad unsettling. Half this place is in rough shape, and half is beautiful. But I needed a green break, and I found it here.

I took the free ferry along with every single new york resident, as today was a celebration of water for NYC. I rented a bike for $10 and spent an hour going around the island, and exploring pathways and little streets under the shade of ancient trees, in a constant ocean breeze. I saw tugs, ferries, sailboats, and in the distance, a massive cruise ship. Beyond were the great bridges that span the various waterways. 

It was a refreshing morning excursion. 

My security guard was obviously following me again: "Sir, you can't sit on that wall!" he bellowed, while I waited for the return ferry.