Work is progressing on the expansion of Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Designed by Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP and developed by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the $9.8 million project involves the transformation of a two-acre parcel known as Motiva at the northernmost end of the waterfront park. Construction broke ground in March on the property, which had formerly sat unutilized and overgrown, and environmental remediation efforts are being undertaken in parallel with the park’s construction. The park is being created as part of the nearly 40-acre Greenpoint-Williamsburg Open Space Master Plan and is bound by Quay Street to the north and Franklin Street to the east.
The below image shows the overall scope of the new landscape design, which will include lush greenery, a small sandy beachfront with a kayak launch, benches and large boulders for seating, bicycle lanes, and an Osprey stand. The pathway snaking through the park will be built to the northern and southern ends of the parcel in preparation for continuation with further expansion of the green space.
Diagram courtesy of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
The site has been largely cleared, with only a few sections along the water’s edge still awaiting transformation. The northern end is furthest along with a new shoreline of large rocks forming a breakwater, dirt infill, low-rise concrete retaining walls, and a pathway for pedestrians. The start of landscaping will be the next big milestone in construction.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The below diagram highlights the various parcels in the park plan including the boomerang-shaped Motiva parcel, all of which sit directly north of Marsha P. Johnson Park. The only two sections currently open are 50 and 86 Kent.
Diagram courtesy of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Here we see the completed green space of 50 Kent-Bushwick Inlet Park, located nearby to the south along Kent Avenue between North 11th and North 12th Streets.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Between 50 Kent and the Motiva parcel is a large fenced-off plot that was formerly occupied by Bayside Fuel Oil tanks and the company’s industrial warehouse structures, and now sits vacant and overgrown. A construction timeline has yet to be announced for this section of the park.
Photo by Michael Young
Other organizations that will help maintain the future park space includes the Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park, a volunteer and advocacy group; and the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, a district-wide nonprofit parks conservancy group.
An anticipated completion date for the revamped Bushwick Inlet is set for August 2025, as noted on site.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Great stuff. I approve. Yimby.
Parks have become a necessity for major cities around the world, will there be people coming out to protest? Thanks.
It feels to me like there is room for at least a few hundred apartments on the undeveloped parcels (which we also sorely need), which could occupy just a sliver of those sites near Kent Ave. Such developments could then help fund the completion of the whole park. Similar to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Yes, more free stuff! No wonder the city is broke!
You are so so right Ed! Thank you for your thoughtful & profound analysis of the situation.
I fully agree that we need to utilize all our parks & open spaces for truly USEFUL purposes.
Let’s start with the many wasted acres of Central Park. Bring on the bulldozers! Think of the possibilities!
As you renibd us: In the Land of the Free & the Home of the Brave – NOTHING should be Free!
There is money to be made by resourcwful innovators like us. Lets get on it!
Perhaps we can corner the market & charge for air usage? The sky is NOT the limit! Cough,,Cough.