Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all New York City places

New York City, New York / Parks and outdoors

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1

The largest pier in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 offers sweeping views of Lower Manhattan and the East River, featuring expansive lawns, a salt marsh, and unique salvaged granite architecture.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1
www.brooklynbridgepark.org, og_image_www.brooklynbridgepark.org

What is Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 known for?

Pier 1 is the largest of the park's piers and is the only one constructed on filled land rather than pilings. It features large lawns, a waterfront promenade, tree-lined pathways, a playground, and the Granite Prospect, which is made from stones salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, entry to the park is free.

What are the hours?

The park is open seven days a week from 6 AM to 1 AM. However, the Pier 1 playground is open from sunrise to sunset.

Is it good for kids?

Yes, Pier 1 includes a playground located at its northern edge.

What facilities are available at Pier 1?

The Pier 1 Pavilion, added in 2025, provides restrooms, water fountains, shaded seating, and a year-round concession.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Opened in 2010 as the first phase of the larger 85-acre civic landscape, Pier 1 is the largest of the park's piers. Unlike other sections of the park, it is the only pier constructed on filled land rather than pilings. The space was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to transform a former cargo shipping and storage facility into a public destination featuring a waterfront promenade, tree-lined pathways, and a playground at its northern edge. Architectural highlights include the Granite Prospect along the western edge, which consists of dramatic steps built from granite stones salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction. At the southern edge, visitors can find a salt marsh planted with native species, nestled within another salvaged granite seating area. These sustainable design choices extend to the pier's infrastructure, as it was engineered to retain more than twice the local average rainfall compared to traditional waterfront parks. Recent additions have enhanced the visitor experience, including the Pier 1 Pavilion finished in April 2025. Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, this pavilion consists of three stone structures providing restrooms, water fountains, shaded seating, and a year-round concession. The pier's expansive lawns, such as the Harbor View Lawn, frequently host public art installations and free community events.

Visitor tips

  • The park is open daily from 6 AM to 1 AM, with free entry.
  • If visiting in July or August, check for the Movies With A View series on Thursday evenings at Harbor View Lawn.
  • The playground is open from sunrise to sunset, making it a great stop for families during daylight hours.
  • Access the area via nearby subway stations including Clark Street, High Street, or York Street.

Nearby context

Pier 1 is located directly south of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire–Fulton Ferry section of the park. It sits within a larger 1.3-mile waterfront stretch that extends from the Columbia Heights waterfront district to the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO.

Sources

Evidence and links