Construction Begins for a New Park on Governor's Island

Heaps of debris lie where an 11-story building once stood on Governor's Island, but soon they'll be transformed into heaps of green. 

The rubble's going to be recycled into the first layer of ground for a new park called The Hills.  It's the centerpiece of a multi-phase parks and public spaces plan to re-vamp the island.  Mayor Bloomberg broke ground on the eleven-acre park this morning. He says it will offer expansive views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor.

"The Hills will be a unique edition to the island that will give New Yorkers a brand new perspective on our historic harbor, as well as a wonderful new public place to enjoy."

The park will feature four summits and rise up to eighty feet above sea level.  This will provide protection from rising water levels associated with climate change.  Wendy Schmidt and her husband Eric, who's the Chairman of Google, donated funds to launch construction of the Hills.  She says the park's an example of the balance society needs to strike with nature to combat global warming.

"This, to us, is the new value for the new century.  The human footprint, but contained, working in harmony with the natural world."

The Hills are scheduled to open to the public in spring 2015.