A new landmark in the harbor, Governors Island is New York’s shared space for art and play. It’s just 800 yards from Lower Manhattan and even closer to Brooklyn. For almost two centuries, the Island was closed to the public, operating as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today Governors Island is a vibrant, year-round destination with three entities acting as stewards and advocates: the Trust for Governors Island, Friends of Governors Island, and National Park Service.