All aboard.
The Observer is already well acquainted with the new ferry out to Randall’s Island, launched in the service of the Frieze Art Fair. But it turns out this is not just benevolent benefit for the gallery-going hordes headed to the island this weekend.
The city has reached an agreement with New York Water Taxi to run a weekend ferry to Randall’s Island all summer long, according to DNAinfo. Assuming the service is successful, it will return next year.
While the privately run New York Water Taxi has long provided ferry service to the island for special events, like Cirque Du Soleil performances and the Frieze Art Fair, this will be the first experiment with regular off-peak weekend service, parks staffers said.
City Park Administrator Aimee Boden said she hoped the service will encourage people who live in the neighborhood to finally discover the island, just a five-minute ride from the Upper East Side.
“I really hope it will help to bring them to the island to experience it firsthand,” said Boden, who said the trial will help determine whether there is enough interest and traffic for a permanent ferry service to Randall’s Island, which is lined with bike paths, sports fields and a network of pedestrian walkways that skirt the water’s edge.
Governor’s Island has experienced similar success in recent years with its ferry, so perhaps the appeal of waterborne transportation will finally bring in the crowds. It makes sense as ferries have only grown in popularity in recent years, and the more options, the more robust the network, the great the demand, the more viability, so-on and so-forth.
mchaban [at] observer.com | @MC_NYC
Matt is The Observer's real estate editor. Follow Matt on Twitter or via RSS. mchaban@observer.com
