Brooklyn Strand

6 Bridge Parks
Overview:
Current Conditions:
Opportunity:
Bridge Parks 1, 2 and 3, wrap around the base of the Brooklyn Queens
Expressway (BQE). Bridge Park 1 and west Bridge Park 3 sit between
the BQE and the Manhattan Bridge. The York St Subway Station
(F Train), located on the northwest corner of Bridge Park 2, draws
pedestrian foot traffic from DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, the Navy Yard,
Farragut Houses and other surrounding neighborhoods. While they see
moderate use as a small pocket park and a basketball court, they are
exposed to loud noise from the Manhattan Bridge subway lines.
Bridge Park 2 and east Bridge Park 3 are better protected from noise but have
seen little public investment. Aside from a playground, this portion of Bridge
Parks is largely characterized by cracked asphalt and tall chain-link fences.
The athletic facilities are under-invested and underused. Because of the F
Train entrance location, there is a clear desire to walk through Bridge Park 2,
alongside the BQE, to access York St Station. This path is currently limited to
because it crosses through the playground for which access is limited to adults
with children. This path is also visually obstructed by an existing comfort
station.
Because of the strong pedestrian desire line to the F Train, proximity
to high noise levels, lack of lighting and sight-line, hard surfaces, and
being underutilized, there is an opportunity to comprehensively rethink
improvements to the Bridge Parks.
Brooklyn Strand Urban Design Action Plan — May 2016
WXY 72