1. Transforming
Governors Island:
Some lessons in designing and creating
public space

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8. Don’t Be Afraid to Have a Big vision:
Park @ the Center of the World
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9. Make real goals
• An extraordinary park unlike any other in the world
• A compelling destination with signature experiences
• 2 ½ hours of delight for visitors
• Magnet for repeat visitors from NYC, NYS, as well as tourists
• Innovative design sets standards and framework for Island
• Give the Statue of Liberty back to New Yorkers

10. Hire a Brilliant Designer
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11. Involve the public in ways that really help create better
places.
It’s not a focus group, but you have to do more than present
at community meetings.

12. Community session brought to you by Parks and Recreation

13. • Online at www.govislandpark.com &
the Governors Island blog
• Through Post-It® Notes
• Bike and tram tours given by the
West 8 design team
• Public presentations at Community
Boards 1 and 3 in Manhattan, 2 and 6
in Brooklyn
Ideas from New Yorkers

14. • Collected more than 3,000
Post-It® notes with feedback from the
public
• Collated notes and passed them
along to the design team for future
phases of design
• Public said:
• “Lots more hammocks!”
• “Keep it car-free”
• “Outdoor sculpture everywhere!”
• “Yay for biking!”
• “Playgrounds for big people”
Listening to visitors

15. WORD CLOUDDemonstrating that what they do
and say matters

16. Observing what they do
Unique opportunity to learn from the public.

17. Don’t be afraid to question received wisdom
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18. (Parks have visitor centers)

19. You can be visitor-centric without a visitor center.
You have to provision information.
What visitors want and need.
Even if they never asked for it.

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23. Everyone wants to play.
Even adults.

27. Ideas come from unexpected places.

28. Picnic Point before.

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Picnic Point after.

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34. Seats should move

38. “Give the Statue of Liberty Back to New Yorkers”
- Governors Island Park Design Brief, 2006

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43. Art changes the experience of the place.
And adds a new chapter of meaning.

47. Every detail matters.

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