Keeping Our Lawns Green: Periodic Lawn Closures for 2026 

Brooklyn Bridge Park has some of the greenest lawns in the city, both in color and environmental friendliness. Our extensive irrigation system, organic practices, and hardworking horticulture team create lush lawns that stay vibrantly green throughout the summer.

BBP receives millions of visitors each season, and our lawns are popular for picnics, relaxing, frisbee and more. We also offer hundreds of free events, many taking place on or adjacent to our wide-open lawns creating a high volume of foot traffic. A prime example is our Movies With A View series, enjoyed by several thousand attendees on the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn every week throughout July and August.Maintaining the lawns under high traffic conditions is no walk in the park. They require a great deal of manual care to be sustained – which means we have to periodically give them a break to rest and rejuvenate!

As part of our effort to continue to provide high-quality and organically managed lawns, we are establishing periodic lawn closures. .

We will annually target select lawns for extended closures in April and May, providing an extended break, increased care, and specialized maintenance. This allows them to revitalize during the spring growing season and helps ensure a strong start each season, aiding their long-term success. For 2026:

• Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn, Pier 3 Outboard Great Lawn, and Pier 6 Liberty Lawn will be closed Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 30.
• Pier 1 Vale Lawn (Upper Entrance), Pier 6 Ferry View Lawn, and Pier 6 Swing Valley Lawn will be closed Monday, May 4 through Thursday, May 28.

Additionally, we will implement a rotating lawn closure schedule for six park lawns with the highest usage, each closed for one day every two weeks. These closures begin in May and end in mid-October. Please view the schedule below:

View Our Park Map

Here’s how extensive foot traffic negatively impacts our lawns:

• Soil Compaction: Constant foot traffic compresses the soil, eliminating air pockets needed for root health.
• Thinning and Bare Patches: Wear causes grass to die, creating unsightly, mud-prone spots, especially along common walking paths
• Nutrient/Water Deficiency: Compacted soil prevents water from penetrating, forcing it to run off or pool.
• Increased Pests and Weeds: Weakened turf allows opportunistic weeds and pests to take over.

Examples of how we will work to improve and care for lawns during rest periods includes:

• More frequent aerating of lawns, especially after large events to counter soil compaction
• Applying a combination of organic stimulants such as seaweed extracts to support root growth
• Diversify the species within lawns by including clover mixes which provide broader coverage and reduces water consumption over traditional lawns , and including more shade tolerant grass species that can thrive in shadier conditions as developing tree canopies cast more shade throughout the park. Our closure periods will allow for these important plants to germinate and establish.

We love dogs and welcome them to BBP, but they are another damaging factor for lawns. We have a policy restricting dogs from the lawns and planted areas because of the damage they can do. To put it bluntly, dog urine kills grass (and many other plants). The nitrates in dog urine are too much for the grass to absorb, and it gets burned with repeated frequent exposure. And if dogs are relieving themselves in the same areas where children play and people picnic, hygiene is a concern. We offer two dog runs at John Street and Pier 6, and leashed dogs are welcome on all of our pathways.

Signage will be placed on-site to help remind of all closures, and we appreciate your cooperation. With 22 lawns throughout the park to enjoy, there’s plenty of spots to relax, stretch out, and enjoy, even with these closures! Please plan ahead and take it as an opportunity to explore a new part of BBP. This vital work will help maintain the quality of our lawns for all to enjoy – both for this summer and many years to come!