Water Taxi from Brooklyn to Governors Island Starts Saturday

By legend, a secret escape tunnel links the the Governor's Mansion on Governor's Island to Red Hook, Brooklyn. The island is only 400 yards from Brooklyn -- so close, that when the military base was still active a few years ago (it closed in 1996), neighbors in Red Hook would be awakened by bugles playing reveille every morning.

To celebrate our close alliance, the New York Water Taxi will start weekend service from Brooklyn to Governors Island with a free trip this Saturday from the Red Hook stop (behind Fairway) and from Fulton Ferry Landing, reports the Brooklyn Eagle.

Previously, this trip was only available from lower Manhattan and took forever. But from Brooklyn the trip will take only 4 to 15 minutes. And just in time -- a Family Festival to celebrate Governors Island opening day takes place from 12:30 - 4 p.m. Saturday. See the Governors Island web site for details.

And here's some news about big changes coming to the island: Five design teams have been asked to come up with a new landscape for the southern end of Governors Island, its promenade, and the open space in the northern historic section, reports New York Magazine. Visit the web site for photos of the proposals.

Photo of Governors Island from Red Hook Marine Terminal by MK Metz