<P> In a last - minute act while in office , President Bill Clinton designated 22 acres of the island , including the two great forts , as Governors Island National Monument on January 19 , 2001 . In the next year on April 1 , 2002 , President George W. Bush , Governor Pataki , and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the federal government would sell Governors Island to the people of New York for a nominal cost , and that the island would be used for public benefit . At the time of the transfer , deed restrictions were created that prohibit permanent housing and casinos on the island . On January 31 , 2003 , 150 acres of Governors Island were transferred to the people of New York , to be administered by a joint city - state agency , the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation ( GIPEC ) . The remaining 22 acres was legally reaffirmed by presidential proclamation on February 7 , 2003 as the Governors Island National Monument , to be administered by the National Park Service . </P>
<P> In a last - minute act while in office , President Bill Clinton designated 22 acres of the island , including the two great forts , as Governors Island National Monument on January 19 , 2001 . In the next year on April 1 , 2002 , President George W. Bush , Governor Pataki , and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the federal government would sell Governors Island to the people of New York for a nominal cost , and that the island would be used for public benefit . At the time of the transfer , deed restrictions were created that prohibit permanent housing and casinos on the island . On January 31 , 2003 , 150 acres of Governors Island were transferred to the people of New York , to be administered by a joint city - state agency , the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation ( GIPEC ) . The remaining 22 acres was legally reaffirmed by presidential proclamation on February 7 , 2003 as the Governors Island National Monument , to be administered by the National Park Service . </P>
when did governors island open to the public
when did governors island open to the public
April 1 , 2002
April 1 , 2002