Brooklyn Bridge Park will be creeping further up into Brooklyn Heights with its newest addition: a public pool in Squibb Park, which sits between Brooklyn Heights and Brooklyn Bridge Park (behind that large hotel/condo development). Squibb Park is not widely used—it’s a large concrete area furnished with just a few benches and a public bathroom; it’s mostly accessed to get to the pedestrian bridge.
While Squibb Park isn’t technically part of Brooklyn Bridge Park, we’re told that “subject to necessary approvals, NYC Parks intends to enter into an agreement with BBP for the development, operation, and maintenance of a pool and optional related amenities at Squibb Park.”
Image from Brooklynbridgepark.org
This morning BBP will publicly announce plans to build a permanent swimming pool in Squibb Park, though not all details have been ironed out yet. Here’s what we do know:
Like all NYC Parks pools, this pool will be free and open to the public.
There will be community planning sessions for the purpose of gathering feedback from the public. This input will inform the design of the pool, including size and capacity.
Will there be an other amenities? “We want the community to help us determine a number of things during the public planning sessions,” a rep for BBP told us, including what type of non-swimming activities should be included, and if there should there be a concession.
The timeline on construction and opening is unclear, first there will be a fundraising campaign and those aforementioned community planning sessions.
The current pop-up pool at Pier 2 will close down after this season. This is because Brooklyn Bridge Park will break ground on the Pier 2 Uplands project this fall.
The new pool’s hours will likely operate under the pop-up pool hours: between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Construction of the pool is estimated to cost between $10-$15 million. One-third of that will be funded by BBP; Midtown Equities and Alloy Development with Monadnock Construction, and DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners have also dedicated funds toward the project; and the remainder will be raised publicly and privately in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
Eric Landau, Brooklyn Bridge Park President, said, “We are always striving to provide the best amenities and activities for park visitors. The temporary pop-up pool has been a much-loved summer attraction and now we are thrilled to announce plans to bring a permanent pool to Brooklyn Bridge Park.”
At the official announcement later this morning, Landau will be joined by Deputy Mayor and BBP Board Chair Alicia Glen, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, AND Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. We will update if any more information becomes available at the press conference.
Update: The pool will likely not open until 2020; community planning sessions will begin later this year.
This is not the first time Squibb Park has gotten a pool; in the 1940s (before it was named Squibb Park) there was a wading pool in the area.
Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) today opened another five acres of parkland on Pier 3, the final pier to be converted to parkland. The opening brings the Park to 90% complete. The most prominent feature of Pier 3 will be its large central lawn protected from the wind and sun by groves of shrubs and trees. Along the north side of the Pier there is an exploratory labyrinth with interactive features. The outer section of the Pier hosts a grove with moveable furniture, including picnic tables and Adirondack chairs clustered to create a variety of seating areas. The surrounding hardscaped area provides space for small events and performances as well as unprogrammed play.
Image from brooklynbridgepark.org
The labyrinth on Pier 3 has hedges of varying sizes to create an exploratory maze of picnic tables, mirrored games, and historic elements salvaged from the park like bollards, cleats, and excavated railroad tracks. Within the maze you will find a walk-in kaleidoscope, an echo game, dance chimes, parabolic reflectors, a conference tube, and interesting seating options, including Gunter Beltzig stone seating.
BBP President Eric Landau was joined by Deputy Mayor and BBP Board Chair Alicia Glen, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Council Member Stephen Levin, and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Webster.
“The opening of Pier 3 is not only a milepost for Brooklyn Bridge Park – it’s a major event for our city. Now 90% complete, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s stunning views, cultural partnerships, and recreational amenities have transformed the industrial waterfront, and offer a global model for urban park development,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen.
“Today is a great day for Brooklyn Bridge Park as we open Pier 3, the last pier to be transformed to parkland,” said Eric Landau, Brooklyn Bridge Park President. “We’re so excited to provide even more space for people to play and relax this summer. With Pier 3’s large central lawn and amazing labyrinth for children of all ages, Brooklyn Bridge Park just keeps getting better!”
There is now even more Brooklyn Bridge Park to enjoy!” said Commissioner Silver. “This beautiful destination park continues to grow and flourish, with exciting new interactive additions and more space to gather and relax. The countless visitors to Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer will surely love all that Pier 3 has to offer.”
“Pier 3 is a dynamic waterfront space that will offer endless opportunities for healthy recreation and relaxation to families from Brooklyn and beyond,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “Brooklyn Bridge Park is a gem that gleams brighter with each exciting acre it adds, building on our borough’s commitment to offer high-quality open space that brings people together from all walks of life.”
Today marks another important milestone in bringing Brooklyn Bridge Park closer to completion. This announcement also heralds yet more outdoor recreation options for Brooklyn residents and visitors to our borough. I applaud BBP on making this stride and thank all those who worked to open yet more space on Pier 3,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the opening of new parkland on Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “Visitors can now enjoy a beautiful lawn, explore the labyrinth, and enjoy the waterfront views around the outer section of the Pier. Thanks to the City of New York and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation for continuing to improve and beautify our waterfront.”
“Pier 3 isn’t just five acres of additional parkland for Brooklynites and tourists, and it isn’t just space for events, performances, and play — it’s the project that brings Brooklyn Bridge Park to 90% completion. That is a remarkable achievement,” State Senator Brian Kavanagh said. “Every year, millions of New Yorkers and tourists take advantage of all that the park has to offer. Pier 3 will undoubtedly be another major draw that connects visitors with the East River Waterfront. I’d like to congratulate Brooklyn Bridge Park, the City of New York, my elected colleagues, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, our partners in the community, and everyone who played a part in this great achievement — and I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders as the final portions of the park are completed.”
“It’s not a park until children, families, and New Yorkers from all over can come and make it their own — that long awaited day is today,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “I’m excited to join the community in announcing the opening of Pier 3. While Brooklyn may be big, five new acres of open space is an even bigger deal, especially on the scenic waterfront. Just in time for summer, let’s join New Yorkers everywhere and make beautiful memories here at Brooklyn Bridge Park.”
“The center of Brooklyn Bridge Park needs an embracing green space, and with Pier 3 we finally have it. The bowl-like lawn provides a serene interior that I think will draw people in, acting as a complementary counterbalance to the dynamics of river and city. Logs of locust are here and there to sit on and more,” said Michael Van Valkenburgh, President and CEO of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. “My team and I have felt tremendously honored to lead the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and we are thrilled to see the final pier of the park finally open to the public.”
“What a great day as Brooklyn Bridge Park opens the last of its magnificent piers. With its inventive play labyrinth, expansive lawn, and flexible program space, Pier 3 promises to be yet another well loved destination in the park. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy can’t wait to join our neighbors from all over New York City — and the world — who will play, relax, and simply delight in this extraordinary new park space on the waterfront,” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
About Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, known as Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP), is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the planning, construction, maintenance and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre sustainable waterfront park spanning 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River shoreline. As steward of the park, BBP has transformed this previously deteriorated stretch of waterfront into a world-class park where the public can gather, play, relax and enjoy sweeping views of New York Harbor. The self-sustaining park was designed by the award-winning firm of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. and features expansive lawns, rolling hills, waterfront promenades, innovative playgrounds, a greenway, sports facilities and the popular Jane’s Carousel. BBP serves thousands of people on any given seasonal day, who come to picnic, walk their dog, play soccer, jog, bike or roller skate. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a signature public investment for the 21st Century and will be an enduring legacy for the communities, elected officials and public servants who made it happen.
