Pier 6 was one of last year’s most popular and exciting destinations for playtime but everyone lamented the lack of restrooms, shade and food available to park visitors. As of this weekend, some of that will change. This Saturday, May 28th, a new 1.8 acre section of Brooklyn Bridge Park will open.
New amenities- actual food, not just ice cream and ices.
Included in the section will be a new food court. You will be able to choose from four seasonal food vendors that will be set up in a new plaza space with tables, chairs and umbrellas. Sounds downright civil compared to last season! Even more enticing for some, in mid-June you will be able enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the roof deck of the restored building too. So, which food vendors are coming? Milk Truck, best known for its grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes, Bark, a Brooklyn-based hot dog restaurant in Park Slope that will serve classic dog and veggie dogs, burgers and beverages. Bark will be on the roof deck in mid-June on the weekends serving their dogs and beer and wine until midnight. Returning Brooklyn-based concessions include Blue Marble Ice Cream, serving some of my favorite organic ice cream, and Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices with their selection of ices, both sold from a mobile cart in the plaza. If you want to take a trip to Pier 1 for some other choices: head on down for Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar, Calexico Carne Asada and Ditch Plains Drop-In. Blue Marble is there too.
And as for the restrooms?
“…..a renovated building that contains park restrooms has been clad with the park’s salvaged Long Leaf Yellow Pine.”
And the shade?
“The pier will feature two 15,000 square-foot lawns and be planted with a diverse array of native plants and trees, most notably Sassafras, Bald Cypress and Chestnut Oak trees as well as Sweetfern, Sumac and Serviceberry shrubs.” Will it be enough?
What else will be new?
“three regulation-sized sand volleyball courts, and an expanded network of lighted pathways. The central pier pathway has been extended and is lined with park benches.”
May 28th also marks the return of the free Governors Island ferry service, which will operate from Pier 6 on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays through September 25th. For our guide on Governor’s Island, please see this post. (This Saturday they are having a huge Family Fest).
Details:
The concessionaires will operate on weekends and holidays from approximately 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Pier 6 is located at Atlantic Ave and Columbia St.