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

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Don’t Be Afraid to Have a Big vision: Park @ the Center of the World

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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

Hire a Brilliant Designer

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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.

Community session brought to you by Parks and Recreation

• 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

• 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

WORD CLOUD Demonstrating that what they do and say matters

Observing what they do

Unique opportunity to learn from the public.

Don’t be afraid to question received wisdom

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(Parks have visitor centers)

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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Everyone wants to play. Even adults.

Ideas come from unexpected places.

Picnic Point before.

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Picnic Point after.

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Seats should move

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

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

Every detail matters.

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