FurFirsts: A first time experience with FurWalk

Governor’s Island was buzzing with activity the weekend of September 27th. It was not the typical hubbub of tourists and locals looking to create some memories, but rather that of an eccentric bunch of furry friends led by some of New Jersey’s and New York’s finest. And I got to experience it first hand.

Starting off as a small gathering, this impromptu monthly march around New York City, now deftly named FurWalk, soon grew to an outstanding crowd that easily surpasses fifty members with each gathering. To top it all off, each walk is different, planned accordingly through staff, and includes plenty of interesting locations to not only stop and rest, but to take pictures of their incredible suits and to capture the moments with friends in flashes of time saved through the light of photography.

Now, I will admit, I had already heard of the events beforehand. My husband, Keiron Wedlin, is part of the team making these events happen, and thus I heard through word of mouth and by his excitement at every passing one. It became a consistent occurrence to see him make the journey to New York City to join this welcoming community as they storm the streets with open hearts and eyes full of joy. Yet, I never got to truly experience the sensation until I managed to get the time off to join them on this latest escapade.

I can say with a full chest that, yes, it is exactly that.

Starting at the Staten Island Ferry Building at the edge of Manhattan, our group of about sixty-something furries gathered together while awaiting our departure time. The staff had knowingly and informed everyone ahead of time of our use of the ferries to travel to Governor’s Island, and had even planned for this specific day to ensure the trip would cost none of the attendees any money. With our time drawing near, we walked over and embarked to the island, where we then rested for an hour and a half to allow late attendees to arrive and to ensure everyone who had registered for the walk received their originally-crafted badges made by Fane Vuh’uni, the staff’s artist and graphic designer, joined by my husband for assistance in the registration process.

And with that, at noon, we began our march.

With suit heads donned and packs secured, we began our journey by striding towards Castle Williams, where we all gathered for the first of four group photos. Staff ensured the safety of everyone as we were near an important piece of infrastructure on the island, and were headstrong in keeping everyone away from the historical building. Locals and tourists joined our photography crew in taking pictures of us, and a few college students joined in for the group photo. Next, we ventured towards a newly erected statue of a crowned bird, aptly named Bird MMXXIII by the artist Sheila Berger, where we rested and had lunch via the nearby food locations serving ice cream and American favorites like burgers and chicken tenders.

Climbing was next on our agenda as we ascended to the top of the Outlook Hill, where individuals gathered to take photos overlooking the Statue of Liberty in the distance on Staten Island, candid photos of themselves in suit, and to rest and allow lunch to settle in their stomachs. With that, our second group photo went off without a hitch, with a tourist giving us a much needed laugh as we followed her calls to cheer “whiskey” at our photographer.

Descending down from the hill, we then gathered to participate in some fun at Slide Hill, a particularly attractive part of Governor’s Island sporting three increasingly long slides to take. Of course, everyone rushed to go down the tallest slide, but opened the way for children to ride down first as we lined up to have videos taken of our brief journeys down the slippery slope. We continued to have peaceful and hearty interactions with the other locals and tourists on the island during our stay at this location.

After our third group photo, it was time to pack up and head to the final location in the middle of Nolan Park. After a final moment of rest, it was time to line absolutely everyone we could into a final group photo, taken directly in front of the Admiral’s House. Even with tired feet and sore legs, we mustered our strength to pull off the perfect wrap up to the walk, and everyone gathered for some final announcements, a hint at something big happening from the team, and a cheer for everyone.

In total, the participation including the staff was 71 persons… or furries, I should say.

I’m glad to have been included in that, finally, and I cannot wait to join them again.