Travel Magazine

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

By Carolinearnoldtravel @CarolineSArnold
When my friend and fellow children's book writer Gretchen Woelfle was in New York recently, she was visiting relatives in Brooklyn and discovered the joys of Brooklyn Bridge Park, located under the bridge along the East River. Here is her report:

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

Bridge to Manhattan at the north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park

Take a sunny day in Brooklyn, a walk through this 85 acre park, along a 1.3 mile footpath on the East River, from the Manhattan Bridge past the Brooklyn Bridge to the end of Pier 6, and you’ll find all sorts of delights to savor. 

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

Playing soccer at Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge park


BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

Jane's Carousel, built in 1922

There are playgrounds and an antique carousel for kids; lawns, gardens and terraces for picnics; cafés and ice cream shops; an educational center (with an aquarium); playing fields for all sorts of sports; and fantastic views of river traffic and the Manhattan skyline.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

Brooklyn Bridge seen from river level

The Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy presents over five hundred cultural, educational, and recreational events in the park: classes, sports clinics, foot races, music festivals, movies, kayaking, stargazing, history walks, and more.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

A riverside sylvan glade

The Conservancy also coordinates environmental projects on the river, including the construction of a salt marsh and an oyster reef. Way back when, New York Harbor contained 200,000 acres of oyster reefs. Five thousand local students have taken part in the Billion Oyster Project to revive the ecosystem.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

On deck of an Erie Canal barge

During my visit on a quiet Monday afternoon, I happened upon a canal barge that hails from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. It was about to begin its annual summer voyage up the Hudson and through the Erie Canal to Buffalo.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

Below deck on the canal barge

Since I was the only visitor, I had the full attention of the volunteer crew for a tour of the boat and the story of its history.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, New York: Guest Post by Gretchen Woelfle

River traffic and Manhattan skyline viewed from Brooklyn Bridge Park

This jewel of park, an oasis of green and blue in the big city,
is just a block away from the hipster hubbub of DUMBO on the north end, and the leafy streets of Brooklyn Heights on the south end.
For more information go to: https://www.brooklynbridgepark.org

Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog