Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class waterfront park with rolling hills, river front promenades, innovative play areas, and stunning views. Located along the Brooklyn waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park is bordered by Atlantic Avenue to the south and Jay Street to the north. The site of Brooklyn Bridge Park was a thriving public waterfront through the first half of the 20th Century. However, in the 1950’s, shipping in the area began a steady decline in use as New York’s older port areas lost ground to container shipping and to competition from other east coast cities.
In addition, in the 1950’s the construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway created an approximately 60-foot-high elevated structure parallel to Furman Street that fully separated the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood from the waterfront. By the late 1970’s, Piers 1-6 were primarily serving as warehouses and generating only modest levels of revenue for the Port Authority. In 1983, the Port Authority ceased cargo ship operations on Piers 1-6.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, d/b/a Brooklyn Bridge Park, is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the planning, construction, maintenance and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre sustainable waterfront park stretching 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River shoreline. Brooklyn Bridge Park is governed by a 17-member board of directors appointed by the Mayor of New York City, the Governor of New York State and local elected officials.
ACTIVITIES
Biking, Walking, Sunbathing, Playgrounds, Dog Runs, Picnicking
Frequently Aked Questions:
How can I get to the park?
Brooklyn Bridge Park is accessible by several subway lines (A/C, 2/3, 4/5, F) and bus routes (B25, B63). Visitors can also arrive via seasonal water taxi service at Fulton Ferry Landing and Pier 6. See Directions and the Interactive Map for more detailed information on planning your trip to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
What sections of the park are open now?
Pier 1, Pier 6, Main Street, Fulton Ferry Landing and Empire Fulton Ferry are open to the public right now. Empire Fulton Ferry features the newly renovated Jane’s Carousel. Park hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily. The greenway between Piers 1 and 6 is also open daily until 1:00 a.m.
Where can I ride my bike in the park?
Bicycles are welcome in Brooklyn Bridge Park! Bicycle riding is permissible on the designated bike path. Riders are asked to dismount their bikes on all other pathways. Bicycle racks are located at park entrances at Pier 1 and Pier 6, along the Pier 6 volley ball courts and the Pier 6 dog run. See the Biking page for more information. Bike rentals are available through Bike and Roll NYC at the entrance to Pier 1. Brooklyn Bridge Park is proud to be a key segment of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.
When and why are park lawns closed?
All of the park’s lawns are closed on a weekly basis to allow the grass time to rest and rejuvinate. These closings ensure that the lawns remain lush and green. At least one lawn on each pier will always remain open for your enjoyment.
Pier 1
Harbor View Lawn is closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
Bridge View Lawn is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Vale Lawn is closed on Wednesdays.
Pier 6
Swing Valley and Volleyball Court Lawns are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Corner Lawn is closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
Ferryview Lawn is closed on Wednesdays.
Empire Fulton Ferry & Main Street
The Empire Lawn is closed on Wednesdays.
The Picnic Grove and Riverview Lawns are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Can I bring my dog to Brooklyn Bridge Park?
Dogs are welcome on park pathways, but dogs are not allowed on lawns. Dog runs are located at Main Street and at Pier 6. Go to the interactive map to see locations.
Can I bring or consume alcohol in the park?
Alcohol cannot be brought into Brooklyn Bridge Park. Alcohol is available for purchase at the seaonal Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar on Pier 1 (see Concessions,) but must be consumed on the premises.
Can I smoke in the park?
As of May 23, 2011, Brooklyn Bridge Park is a smoke-free park, consistent with the recent New York City law. The law is intended to make parks healthier and cleaner places to visit. We ask your compliance with this new rule.
Is there wi-fi in the park?
Free Wi-Fi is available in the following park areas: Pier 1, Pier 6, Empire Fulton Ferry and Main Street. DUMBO Wi-Fi provides free access to the northern portion of the park, between the two bridges. Main Street and Empire Fulton Ferry have access to this free network. Read more. Free service to Pier 1 and Pier 6 is part of a five-year initiative led by AT&T and the City of New York that is bringing Wi-Fi to 20 parks across the five boroughs. Bring your laptop, smartphone or tablet to the park and connect while enjoying the lush landscape and gorgeous views!
Can I have my wedding in the park?
Permit applications for wedding ceremonies are now available. Wedding ceremonies can be held on the Pier 1 waterfront promenade, on the Empire Fulton Ferry boardwalk and at the Main Street pebble beach only. Permits are required. Please see our Permits section of the website for more information.
Is the Tobacco Warehouse available for wedding ceremonies and/or receptions?
No, the Tobacco Warehouse cannot be rented for wedding ceremonies or receptions. Events in the Tobacco Warehouse are limited to public park programs, public events and select large-scale private events. Wedding ceremonies, subject to specific conditions, can be held on the Pier 1 waterfront promenade and Main Street pebble beach. Please see the Permits section of this website to learn more about this opportunity and to submit a permit request.
I hear there will be development associated with the park. Why has it been included and where will it be located?
The maintenance and operations budget for Brooklyn Bridge Park will be generated from a limited number of development sites located near the main entrances to the park. In terms of square footage, over half of this development will occur in existing buildings while a total of five new buildings will be built adjacent to major park entrances. For a complete description of the development sites and the proposed uses, see the Project Development page.
When will the next segment of the park be built?
The next major phase of construction on Pier 5 and the Picnic Peninsula is underway and will be completed by Fall 2012. The Squibb Park Bridge is also under construction with an anticipated Fall 2012 opening date. Learn more about the future phases of Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Park Phasing page.
Click Here For Park Events Calendar
Mailing Address:
334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
tel: (718) 222-9939 fax: (718) 222-9258
www.brooklynbridgepark.org