NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Good news for New Yorkers with fur babies: Governors Island is opening the park to pups for the first time ever.
Dogs are permitted to visit the former military installation-turned-public park on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Trust for Governors Island.
“We are so doggone excited that Governors Island is now open to the public all year long, and we cannot wait to welcome our four-legged friends to enjoy the Island's stunning open spaces for the first time—and to open New York Harbor's first dog park,” said Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust.
The island also plans to refer to Saturdays as “Dog Days” moving forward.
“Dog Days will help our visitors enjoy the Island in a totally new way—so throw your pooch a bone, hop on the ferry, and we'll see you on the Island,” Newman said.
It won’t be a free-for-all for pooches, however.
All dogs must remain on leashes while on the island unless they are in the officially designated dog park being created behind Liggett Terrace, which will open during the designated Dog Day hours.
While this will mark the first time Governors Island is open to the general dog population, officials note there is a special crew of five working dogs that are trained to chase geese off the island.
“The team—Max, Chip, Quinn, Leader and Aspen—will be ready to greet new four-legged visitors and will serve as the official Governors Island welcome crew for visitors and their pups,” island officials said.
Lifting the dog restrictions on the island is the latest move in the city’s efforts to draw more people to the park, which opened to the public year-round for the first time in November.
As a way to accommodate an expected influx in visitors, NYC Ferry is also planning to increase service to the island beginning Jan. 24.
Ferries will serve the island’s Yankee Pier via the South Brooklyn Route, adding a stop between Red Hook and Sunset Park.
“We’re proud to deliver on the promise of daily, year-round ferry service to Governors Island as part of our continuing expansion of NYC Ferry’s five-borough network, which has become an integral part of New York’s transportation system and the City’s recovery,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Rachel Loeb.
Dogs are permitted to ride the ferries to the island but must remain leashed and stay on the outside area of the boat.
Visitors who bring their dogs to Governors Island should be sure to share photos of their pups on Instagram with the hashtag #GIDogDays and tag @governorsisland.
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