GREEN FIELDS + ARCHWAYS + BEACHES + BRIDGES + PLAYGROUNDS + PLAZAS + PEOPLE WATCHING, OH MY! OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMES THE MOST INTERESTING PUBLIC SPACES IN NYC.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
Designed atop aging piers in the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an oasis on the waterfront. With a pebble beach, Jane’s Carousel, Emily Roebling Plaza, roller skating, soccer fields, a fitness center and many magical lawns - you can make a day of our world class park on its own.
WASHINGTON STREET OPEN STREET (FRONT ST TO WATER ST)
For decades Washington Street has been captivating photographers - professional and amateur alike - with its breathtaking views of the Manhattan Bridge. It’s now one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City - a must stop for all coming to Brooklyn and a people watching delight for all.
In 2020, the NYC Department of Transportation approached the Dumbo Improvement District to pedestrianize parts of Washington Street and create a safe and welcoming space for all to enjoy. Today, Washington Street is a 7 days a week NYC DOT Open Street, managed by the Dumbo Improvement District – where you will find restaurants, tables & chairs, family activities and innovative art presentations. See the events calendar here.
OPEN STREET HOURS:
11AM – 9PM, DAILY
In Summer 2023, we unveiled new street furnishings for the Open Street, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for the Dumbo Improvement District. BIG is based at 55 Washington Street, right on the block!
“Our design of Washington Street in Dumbo for the Open Streets program aims to turn Brooklyn’s most photogenic street into a place for everyone to gather and to create a sense of community and belonging,” said BIG partner Giulia Frittoli. “Today, Washington Street has become a destination to admire the city’s architectural beauty and social diversity, an example of how we can easily transition from car-first to people-first by expanding sidewalks into literal platforms for urban life and wildlife. We’re honored to be part of such a significant contribution to the neighborhood and we look forward to seeing how the public utilizes this new space, which doubles as the front porch of our New York office.”
THE DUMBO ARCHWAY + PEARL PLAZA
This majestic space, managed by the Dumbo Improvement District, is literally the “UMBO” (under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in DUMBO. It’s Dumbo’s living room - bringing together the whole community for art classes, musical performances, lunchtime vendors, the famed Brooklyn Flea, beer, wine, games and so much more. Don’t miss our famous DUMBO sign framed perfectly by the arch. Pearl Plaza is getting a renovation and will become a cobblestone respite for all to enjoy.
In 2024, we unveiled the newly renovated Dumbo Archway Plaza, aka The Pearl Street Triangle. This section of the plaza originally opened as the first plaza in the New York City Plaza Program – largely supported by former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, Janette Sadik-Khan. Today, it has been reborn as part of Dumbo’s massive historic street preservation project, with sculptural seating designed by AECOM’s Gonzalo Cruz, custom umbrellas by Dumbo-based artist Liz Collins, and projection art on the Manhattan Bridge. The vibe is old-world charm meets a 2024 Brooklyn aesthetic.
See historic photos of the Pearl Street Triangle here!
OLD FULTON PLAZA
Old Fulton Plaza has become a restaurant row – with destination pizza and a bit of extra seating for all coming to our stunning waterfront. Managed by the Dumbo Improvement District, it’s a great spot to pause for a moment, grab a Citibike, a milkshake or a famous pie.
NYC PARKS
Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park
