After 13+ years of disuse, Gotham Park is creating a
new, community-driven 9-acre public space at the crossroads of so many great Manhattan neighborhoods - Chinatown, the South Street Seaport, Two Bridges, Little Italy and the Financial District - with healthy and safe open space, environmentally resilient design and recreation areas for all interests, ages and abilities under one of New York City's most iconic landmarks.
The nine acres from Park Row to South Street will comprise six distinct outdoor areas, providing a diversity of experiences responding to the specific character of each space.
We envision The Vaults inside the Bridge to be converted to public use with a Community Hub, a New York Public Library and a Brooklyn Bridge Museum housing a collection of documents and artifacts from the design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, with a connected Maker Space to harness that inspiration.
After two years of advocacy, the first acre of Gotham Park’s nine-acre site was reopened for public use in a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 24. Speakers included Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Gotham Park’s own Rosa Chang and Steve Rodriguez.
Dubbed "The Arches" by City Hall, the reopened space comprises 50% of the Small Banks and athletic courts for basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard and handball.
We are now activating our new public space with free recreational programming, arts, cultural and athletic events, empowering internships, art installations, beautification efforts and more!
Once bridge work is completed in 2024, an additional five acres of outdoor space will be reopened to the public. Milestones will include:
Once Stage Two work is complete, we will look to expand to South Street. Milestones will include:
Access our full vision in our Social and Economic Impact Analysis by HR&A Advisors.