by Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy on Apr 7, 2016
BROOKLYN, April 7, 2016—The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy (Conservancy) and Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) are proud to announce the full lineup of free events and activities for 2016’s spring and summer season. Visitors will be able to enjoy an array of free cultural, educational, and recreational events, as well as expanded opportunities to volunteer and support this world-class waterfront park. The expansive five month season of programming begins on April 23 with the DUMBO Family Festival, featuring free family-friendly games, activities, and amenities at John Street and Main Street in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The spring and summer season concludes on September 25 with the popular Brooklyn Americana Music Festival, presenting original and traditional country, folk, roots, blues, old time, and bluegrass artists. Visitors can look forward to updates regarding specific artists for this season in addition to news regarding the Park’s fall and winter programs during the upcoming months.
In 2015, Brooklyn Bridge Park saw over 127,000 visitors during the course of a summer weekend. This coming season, the forthcoming openings of DUMBO Boulders and ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina will draw an even wider range of visitors to its outdoor spaces and amenities.
The Conservancy’s new Environmental Education Center, which opened to the public in September 2015, will offer free open hours to the public four days a week. In addition to open hours, it will act as a home for a diverse series of school programs that serves over 10,000 students each year and individualized Discovery Sessions — perfect for children’s birthday parties.
Long-time audience favorites Movies With A View, Books Beneath the Bridge, The Metropolitan Opera, Jazzmobile, the World Science Festival, and All The Park’s A Stage will all return to the park this summer.
BBP will host events that engage visitors across a wide spectrum of interests. The Community Room at 99 Plymouth features a number of exciting installations over the coming season. In April and May, the Village Community Boathouse will lead volunteers in constructing a 15-foot Whitehall rowboat. Artists Colleen Flanigan and Judith Pleva highlight New York’s native oyster reefs in their immersive installation in June. Rush Kids and Teens participating in their Summer Session will create two fantastical murals inspired by the surrounding landscape and the work of artist Xenobia Bailey. On May 4, the Public Art Fund will debut Martin Creed’s Understanding at the end of Pier 6. The 25-foot-tall rotating ruby red sculpture was commissioned specifically for Brooklyn Bridge Park and is Creed’s largest public sculpture to date. In partnership with United Photo Industries and Photo District News, The Fence will return to Brooklyn Bridge Park in June for its fifth consecutive year. The installation presents the work of talented photographers from all around the world.
Avoid the treadmill this summer with a broad range of outdoor fitness classes designed to challenge and excite park-goers. Past favorites including Double Dutch, Broadway Dance, and Zumba will return; while new classes GRIT and Piyo promise to keep seasoned participants on their toes. Also included on the roster of activities are family programs such as Pier Kids – a weekly celebration of arts, singing, dancing, and performance at the newly opened Pier 6 – seining, kayaking, a Hindu Lamp Ceremony, and our annual Kite Festival. The return of the Conservancy’s Family Field Days will welcome families to Piers 2, 5, and 6 to play games ranging from soccer to bocce. The dynamic Wednesday Night Tours series will highlight the history, ecology, and design of Brooklyn Bridge Park, with tickets available at bbp2023.wpengine.com.
Special ecology workshops for children will be presented throughout the summer, and the volunteer Green Team will continue to offer nature enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about gardening, enjoy the outdoors, and help the Park look its best.
“As we usher in the warmer months, we look forward to welcoming New Yorkers and all visitors to explore the Park’s diverse landscapes, views, installations and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s wonderful events. With over 500 free and low-cost programs that celebrate the uniqueness of the park and spans the world of arts and culture, fitness, education and recreation, we strive to provide something for everyone.” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
“With more parkland than ever before, the 2016 programming season is bound to be our best year yet,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Thanks to the incredible work of the Conservancy and our many programming partners, Brooklyn Bridge Park will continue to be a one-of-a-kind destination with programs and events for all.”
For all event information click here.