Governors Island is a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor. It’s only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn. It is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise. Nestled in the heart of New York Harbor, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn, The Hills on Governors Island stand as a remarkable testament to urban renewal and innovative landscape design. Opened to the public in July 2016, this 10-acre expanse of man-made elevations rises dramatically from the island’s southern tip, transforming what was once a restricted military zone into an inviting public oasis. Crafted by the acclaimed Dutch firm West 8 in collaboration with Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, The Hills were born from a visionary 2007 design competition, aiming to reclaim and elevate the island’s forgotten southern half, which had been off-limits since 2012 due to construction.
At the core of The Hills are four distinct mounds, each offering a unique blend of recreation, art, and serenity that redefines how New Yorkers connect with their waterfront. Grassy Hill, the gentlest at 26 feet, invites lazy afternoons on its soft slopes with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Nearby, Slide Hill thrills with its 36-foot height and four twisting chutes, boasting the city’s longest slide at 57 feet for an exhilarating descent. Discovery Hill, rising 40 feet, hosts the evocative sculpture “Cabin” by British artist Rachel Whiteread, a haunting concrete cast that sparks reflection amid lush plantings of trees and shrubs. Crowning it all is Outlook Hill, soaring 70 feet to provide panoramic vistas of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, and the shimmering harbor waters.
What truly elevates The Hills beyond mere topography is their role in fostering resilience and community in a changing climate. Built using lightweight pumice stone reclaimed from old subway excavations and fortified against rising seas, these elevations not only withstand storms like Hurricane Sandy but also plant over 860 trees and 41,000 shrubs to combat erosion and heat. As part of Governors Island’s broader evolution from a Coast Guard outpost to a vibrant hub for arts and innovation, The Hills draw hundreds of thousands annually, turning a historic 172-acre speck in the harbor into a vital green lung for the city. Here, amid the rustle of native grasses and the distant hum of ferries, visitors find a rare slice of elevated escape, where the pulse of New York meets the timeless rhythm of the tides.
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