Governors Island opens for the season, and New Yorkers are invited to enjoy the Island’s open and expansive park spaces with unforgettable views of New York Harbor and car-free recreation just a short ferry ride away from Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.

On May 4, The Yard opens in all its messy glory, and kids ages 6 and up can build, deconstruct, and test their own boundaries under the subtle guidance of "playworker" facilitators.

Art Force 5 opens on Colonel's Row for weekend superhero art fun. Or stop by STEM Kids to make kites, develop slime, or code an app.

And...the Adventures on... attractions all come back online, and you can zip line, explore the maze, and/or test your mountain-goat reflexes on one of the three 25 foot climbing walls.

PLUS: If your family wants to pitch in and prepare the island's landscaping for the summer ahead, you'll be invited to participate in a closing party at 3pm on May 4 featuring free treats, prizes, music, lawn games, and more. Sign up for one of two project shifts: 10am-12n or 1pm-3pm.

The ferry ride is free through Sunday, May 5, including daily service from Lower Manhattan and weekend service from Brooklyn (and return trips are always free). Check the schedule.