Credit: Alex Kudryavtsev

Credit: Alex Kudryavtsev

On July 24, more than 260 people, representing 94 teams, scrambled around Governors Island nooks and crannies in a Cornell University Cooperative Extension-New York City (CUCE-NYC)-organized outdoor educational scavenger hunt to find the answers to such clues as:

"Head past the southern end of the Parade Ground and Nolan Park [on Governors Island in New York Harbor]. One set of chimes 'summons the devil' while the other rings in a sacred tower. What is the name of the set of chimes that has been on the island longer?"

The activity was designed to give the participants an appreciation of the island's natural beauty and history and its historic district, which remains relatively unchanged from its rich past of 19th-century military forts, stately homes and a parade ground. According to the National Park Service, Governors Island is the oldest European settlement in New York.

The scavenger hunt, now in its fourth year, was organized by CUCE-NYC's Urban Environment Program, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's "City of Water Day" festival.

Such scavenger hunt events are "the perfect vehicle for bringing outdoor adventure and learning experiences to urban residents. Participants are exploring on so many different levels – not only the history and natural environment of the island and harbor, but also their own navigation and problem-solving skills, and their ability to cooperate as teams," said Véronique Lambert, an extension associate who has been coordinating this activity for three years. "Each time we've run a scavenger hunt, I am reminded of how much both adults and youth learn from and enjoy the experience," she adds.

The focus of the 10 clues ranged from the whimsical to the island's ecological landscape, early interactions between the first Dutch settlers and the Lenape Native Americans and the island's strategic role in defending New York to historical facts and landmarks. For example:

"Governors Island holds an important place in aviation history. In 1909, Wilbur Wright took off from Governors Island, flew around the Statue of Liberty, and landed again – this was the first flight over American waters. … Propel yourself to today's 'City of Dreams' to find the monument that honors the 'Early Birds.' What material was the displayed aeroplane part cast in?"

This was the second year that New York Harbor School students assisted in running the scavenger hunt. This fall, the Harbor School will be relocating to a renovated building on the island from its current Bushwick, Brooklyn, site. Cornell will be adapting the scavenger hunt as part of the students' orientation.

In addition to CUCE-NYC staff, several Cornell graduate students and alumni volunteered at the events, such as Alex Kudryavtsev, a doctoral student in natural resources who conducts research in the Bronx.

More about Governors Island

Governors Island is an urban oasis accessible by free ferries on weekends.

A mere three-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn and seven minutes from lower Manhattan, Governors Island is a 172-acre urban oasis in New York Harbor with 1,600 trees, a car-free walking/bike path, an artist-designed free miniature golf course, two 1812-era forts, picnic sites and more.

The northern 92 acres comprise the National Historic Landmark District and New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Historic District on North Island, which is open to the public, as is the 2.2-mile promenade that encircles the island and the island's newest open space, Picnic Point. The 80 acres on the southern end is the site of the future park and public spaces, as well as future development.

For almost two centuries, the island was a military base for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard that closed in 1996. Seven years later, the federal government sold most of the island to the people of New York for $1.

Governors Island is open every Friday-Sunday through Oct. 10, with free ferries running from lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.