WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN—The North Brooklyn Park Alliance (NBPA) recently unveiled plans for a new seven-acre park in Greenpoint beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge. Over a hundred people gathered on June 25th to hear Adam Nicklin and Marc Ryan, co-founders of the Toronto-based architecture firm, Public Work, deliver a step-by-step presentation, entitled “Under the K,” about their plans for the yet-to-be inhabited space, consisting of blueprints for four unique, reimagined parcels of city-owned land. Public Work has worked on imaginative green projects that promote healthy ecosystems while benefiting neighboring residential, commercial, and industrial communities.
After a brief introduction from NBPA Executive Director Katie Denny Horowitz, the duo dove right into an outlining of their plans. The design framework centers around establishing public access to biking trails, basketball and tennis courts, and a miniature amphitheater (among other recreational features), all of which is aimed to retain and celebrate the neighborhood’s dynamic cultural identity. Said Ryan following his overview: “It needs to feel like Brooklyn.” In one presentation slide, the two architects dubbed the project “Your New Roof,” an appropriate title for this ambitious undertaking slated for construction underneath the freshly renovated Brooklyn-Queens overpass. It signals an exciting departure from the vacant dumping ground that previously stood at the site for decades. NBPA’s June 25th press release said, “Under the K will fill a void within the area’s current open space network and stitch together several established yet disparate public spaces.”
Under the K is comprised of a complex of four diverse communal spaces. The Arm, which will serve as the entrance to the park, is described in the NBPA’s press release as a “linear promenade” where pedestrians may ride their bikes and visit the local vendors that will make up a vast community market. K-flex 1 & 2, pictured above, will combine to form the park’s primary gathering site—a versatile, multifunctional destination reserved for recreation, educational programming, art installations, seasonal festivities, film screenings, and musical performances. The final portion, Creekside, will be situated alongside the historic Newtown Creek, which is currently undergoing a major restoration of its own. Upon completion, visitors will be able to enjoy the area’s immersive environmental landscapes and the public events that will be held in the highly flexible multipurpose spaces. From the press release, “Under the K will be among the few public access points to the water’s edge, becoming a platform for environmental initiatives. Other programming will span public art installations, musical performances, and recreation.”
When one member of the audience inquired about the projected timeline for construction following the presentation, Horowitz quickly jumped in to respond. There are no precise dates as of yet, she confessed, however, initial programming is anticipated to launch as soon as next summer. In addition, she described the process as an “evolution” during these early stages of planning. Meanwhile, interested parties were encouraged to follow North Brooklyn Parks Alliance’s social media platforms for updates on the project’s progress. They may also check out Public Work’s website for a look at some of their completed designs around the globe. The evening was a promising start for the latest addition to North Brooklyn’s thriving urban renaissance.
Interested in helping NBPA realize this amazing vision? Get your tickets now for the upcoming North Brooklyn Parks Alliance Summer Fundraiser on Wednesday, July 31st!