What is DUMBO?
DUMBO (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is located on the Brooklyn waterfront between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. In the early 1800s, steamed power ferries offered service to Fulton Street, which became a bustling commercial thoroughfare. Industrialists built manufacturing facilities on the waterfront at DUMBO – a location that served as transportation hub where goods could be easily shipped by boat, road and rail throughout New York and beyond.
DUMBO has emerged as one of New York City’s fastest growing and most successful mixed-used neighborhoods due in large part to the vision and hard work of David and Jed Walentas and Two Trees Management Company. Through their meticulous, adaptive reuse of it’s warehouse buildings, careful choices concerning neighborhood retail growth and strong support for the local arts community, Two Trees has made DUMBO one of the most sought-after commercial and residential neighborhoods in New York City.
Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 1
The first six acres of the Brooklyn Bridge Park opened in March 2010 at Pier 1 including a waterfront promenade, expansive lawns, a playground and the soon-to-be opened Granite Prospect. The park, sustainably built and operated, is located on an 85-acre post-industrial waterfront site and, once completed, will stretch 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River edge. Later this spring, Pier 6 will be opened, which includes a spectacular 1.6 acre playground with slides, swings and a water play area, as well as a new dog run and seasonal water taxi service to Governors Island. Located at the foot of Atlantic Avenue, Pier 6 will be a great new family destination.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, when complete, will provide green space for active and passive uses including playing fields, sport courts, playgrounds, civic lawns, and running and bicycle paths. A calm water area is planned for kayaking and canoeing.
This summer the park will be home to several events including the New York Photo Festival, the 4th Annual NYC Food Film Festival and the new Bridge Culture Festival, a new international celebration of Brooklyn’s cultures, including music, storytelling and dance performances. The park will also feature free summer programming including walk-up kayak and rowing sessions, as well as the popular “Movies with a View” series on Pier 1.
Brooklyn Bridge Park has a new website (www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org) that features an interactive map, videos, image galleries and a full calendar of free events.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is proud to host a portion of the New York Photo Festival events at the Tobacco Warehouse and Brooklyn Bridge Plaza.
Julienne Schaer (c) 2010
