Outlook Hill under construction in 2015. The Hills are the culminating feature of Governors Island's new parkland. Continue the tour to learn the story of the Island's transformation from the beginning.

The Original State of Governors Island Governors Island was originally called Pagganck or “Nut Island” for its plentiful hickory, oak and chestnut trees by the Lenape people who were its first inhabitants. The Island once comprised 69 acres of space, though the original shoreline, seen here in an 1859 map, now makes up the North Island.

Early Construction and Fortification Early construction on Governors Island included a mill built by Dutch settlers and, later, an estate for use by British royal governors, from which the Island takes its modern name. During the American Revolution, earthwork fortifications were built by the Continental Army to defend the Harbor. These were later replaced by two permanent fortifications, Fort Jay, shown here, and Castle Williams, both completed around the turn of the 19th century.

South Island Expansion and Initial Use In the early 20th century, the US Army felt they were outgrowing the space available on the Island and began an ambitious project to expand it. Using nearly 5 million cubic yards of landfill taken from the Lexington Avenue subway line construction, 103 acres were added to the Island on the south side. Completed in 1912, the South Island saw early use during World War 1 as a major shipping and supply base for the United States. Here you see the Island circa 1918, crowded with temporary warehouses, barracks and even its own railroad.

Coast Guard Era and Transfer to City As the 20th century progressed, the Island became an administrative center for the US Army and, in 1965, the Coast Guard. The southern half of the Island was home to facilities for servicemembers and their families during this time, including mid-rise housing, schools, a commissary, a bowling alley and more. When Governors Island was transferred to the City of New York in 2003, the South Island featured the configuration of buildings shown here.

Design Competition and Master Plan In 2006, an international design competition was announced to produce a new master plan for the redevelopment and use of Governors Island, to include over 40 acres of resilient new parkland designed for the 21st century. Dutch landscape architecture firm West 8 was selected to prepare the plan in 2008, seen here. This plan created the South Island features visitors love today, like Hammock Grove, Picnic Point and The Hills.

Parkland Phase 1 Construction Construction began in 2012 on Phase 1 of the new park, including Liggett Terrace, the Play Lawns and Hammock Grove, seen here. A key objective of West 8’s plan is to weather the effects of climate change and rising sea levels, which affects every aspect of the design. This included redesigning 2.2 miles of the Island’s sea wall, as well as re-grading much of the South Island to raise it above the 100-year flood zone, ensuring the new parkland’s survival well into the future.

South Island Soils & Planting Great care was taken to ensure the resiliency of the natural environment in the new parkland. This involved extensive testing to ensure that the soil mix could support a variety of native and locally adapted plant species selected for their ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of an island in the Harbor.

Construction on The Hills To construct The Hills (Phase 2 of West 8’s plan), an additional 297,000 cubic yards of fill were used, much of which came from the demolition of non-historic buildings on the South Island. Measures like this one contributed to the overall strategy of adaptive reuse, which greatly reduced the environmental impact of construction.

Installation of Cabin by Rachel Whiteread Seen here is the installation of Turner Prize-winning artist Rachel Whiteread’s sculpture Cabin on Discovery Hill. The first permanent public art installation on Governors Island, Cabin provides a unique experience for visitors to engage with art in the breathtaking setting of The Hills.

The Hills Open In 2016, The Hills opened to the public. Rising 70 feet above sea level, Outlook Hill, seen here, offers unparalleled views of Lower Manhattan and iconic New York Harbor sights. The four hills (Outlook, Discovery, Grassy and Slide) complete the 40 acres of resilient new parkland designed by West 8.

Parade Ground Restoration In 2017, the 7-acre Parade Ground on the North Island was restored. Formerly the site of a golf course installed by the Army, the Parade Ground was re-graded and re-planted to create an expansive lawn. Since its restoration, the Parade Ground has been the site of many concerts, outdoor films and athletic events besides offering an inviting location for relaxation and passive recreation when the Island is open.

Governors Island Today Governors Island has become a beloved year-round destination and resource for New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. Since opening to the public in 2012, the Island has welcomed nearly 6 million visitors to enjoy its parkland and a wide variety of recreational and cultural offerings.