The Star-Revue Goes for a Walk in Brooklyn Bridge Park, by Brian Abate

I’m fortunate to live only a few blocks away from Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has become one of my favorite places in the city. It’s right on the water so there’s always a refreshing breeze in the summer and there’s a great view of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.

There’s a little beach in the middle of the park, which is a nice place to sit and eat food. It’s a very calm, peaceful spot. A few people were out reading on benches nearby and one woman told me she always tries to come here to watch the sunset.

The park is a very dog-friendly place and I like to take my dog here. He loves to play in the sand. Most people are friendly and not in a hurry so they let the dogs greet each other. There’s also a little dog run and some of the local businesses leave water bowls and treats out for the dogs.

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I think this is one of the best places in the city to play basketball. It’s always crowded and the games are competitive. I just played here with some friends from college who were visiting New York City and they loved it. Some of the courts are under a roof so you can play there even if it rains and there are lights so you can keep playing even after the sun goes down.

There are also some really nice soccer fields at the park. I came here almost every day towards the beginning of the pandemic to kick the soccer ball around or play catch. It got me through some rough times and I’m happy to come back without having to wear a mask here anymore. The soccer fields were closed for a few months to put in new turf but the job was finished sooner than expected.

There is a little pond at the end of the park that I always like to look at after I take a walk. There are always animals to see including ducks, brightly colored fish and turtles. I think the plants that grow in the water are also pretty cool looking. It’s a part of the park that almost makes me feel like I’m out in nature while still being in the middle of Brooklyn.

There are lot of flowers blooming in the park right now. No matter what season it is, the park always looks pretty. I like when the leaves are changing color in the fall and when there’s snow on the tree branches in the winter.

A lot of people barbecue in the park once the weather gets warm. I spoke to a few of the people that were barbecuing and they told me they try to go as much as they can during the summer and that it’s a way to get the family together.

Brooklyn Bridge Park has become an important part of my life and I spend a lot of time here. When most places were closed and everyone was working from home during the pandemic, the park was one of my favorite places to go and get fresh air. There are basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, table tennis courts, handball courts, a roller rink, places to have picnics and places to barbecue. There’s always something to do and I’m really grateful to live in walking distance of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Brian Abate