Shirley Chisholm Park Bathrooms and Water Dispenser

Shirley Chisholm State Park, located at 1750 Granville Payne Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207, USA, is a monumental achievement in urban green space development. Named in honor of Brooklyn-born trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and the first Black woman to run for President of the United States, this park transcends the traditional definition of a "Scenic Spot." It represents a remarkable transformation of former landfills into a vibrant ecological and recreational hub, offering an extraordinary environment, a wide array of services and features, and a testament to community advocacy and environmental stewardship. For local users, it's not just a park; it's a symbol of resilience and access to nature in the heart of the city.

The environment of Shirley Chisholm State Park is truly unique, occupying what were once the Pennsylvania Avenue and Fountain Avenue landfills. Spanning 407 acres, it is now the largest state park in New York City and the third largest in Brooklyn. The transformation involved capping the landfills with an impermeable layer and covering them with up to four feet of clean soil. This monumental undertaking allowed for the planting of over 35,000 trees and shrubs, along with native grassland species, creating a diverse ecosystem of coastal meadows, wetlands, and woodlands. This careful ecological restoration has attracted a wide variety of birds and other local wildlife, making it a hotspot for birders and nature enthusiasts. The park's terrain, designed to withstand high winds in the Jamaica Bay estuary, now includes rolling hills and expansive open spaces. The highest point in the park, on the Fountain Avenue Landfill, rises 137 feet above sea level, offering incredible 360-degree panoramic views that encompass the Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and Jamaica Bay itself. This provides a stunning blend of urban vistas and natural beauty, making for a truly unique scenic experience. Visitors often note that despite its history, the park feels nothing like a former dump, successfully transporting them out of the city hustle into a serene natural setting.

Shirley Chisholm State Park offers an impressive array of services and amenities, designed to cater to a diverse range of recreational activities and ensure visitor comfort. Open year-round from 8:00 AM to dusk, admission to the park is free. A key convenience, especially for those traversing the extensive trail system, is the presence of the bathrooms and water dispenser located at the address 1750 Granville Payne Ave. These facilities are often highlighted by visitors for being unusually clean and well-maintained, a crucial amenity given the park's expansive size and the long stretches between facilities. The water dispenser ensures that visitors can stay hydrated during their activities.

The park boasts over 10 miles of car-free trails suitable for biking and hiking, with low-incline paths that make them accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. For cyclists, the park offers two free bike-share stations and a unique "Bike Library" program operated by Bike New York. This program allows park users to borrow refurbished bikes for free, and even offers free lessons on how to ride, making cycling accessible to everyone. Waterfront access points along Jamaica Bay are a major draw, providing opportunities for fishing (catch and release only, with free clinics offered during summer months), kayaking, and wading along the shoreline. Picnic tables with umbrellas are scattered throughout the park, offering ideal spots for outdoor meals.

Beyond active recreation, the park also provides:

• Environmental Education Programs: The park offers free, hands-on programs for various age groups, focusing on nature exploration and environmental science. These include guided hikes, bird walks, and special yearly festivals.
• Birdwatching: As a hotspot for NYC birders, the park records almost 200 species annually, attracting migratory passerines, grassland birds, and waterfowl. Bird blinds are available for enhanced observation.
• Pop-up education centers and furniture designed to create gathering places.
• Designated areas for food trucks, particularly during peak seasons, adding to visitor convenience.

The park is a part of the New York State Parks system, collaborating with the National Park Service, ensuring high standards of maintenance and programming. Its comprehensive services aim to provide a high-quality outdoor experience for the Brooklyn community and beyond.

Shirley Chisholm State Park's most compelling features lie in its layered identity: a testament to ecological restoration, a vibrant natural habitat, and a tribute to a pioneering figure. The park's very existence on transformed landfills is a monumental achievement, showcasing how former industrial sites can be repurposed for public good. This reclamation has created a diverse ecosystem that supports a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, including rare wildflowers, numerous bird species (from Northern Harriers to Monarch butterflies), and even horseshoe crabs during mating season.

Beyond its natural beauty, the park incorporates elements that honor its namesake. A powerful and richly colored mural of Shirley Chisholm by Brooklyn artist Danielle Mastrion adorns an operations building wall, serving as a focal point and a reminder of her legacy. The park's various trails lead to distinct "points of interest," such as the Hendrix Patio, a relaxing space on the banks of Hendrix Creek, and the "Sky Bowl," a raised landform atop the former Fountain Avenue landfill that offers unparalleled views. The design of many park buildings, constructed from repurposed containers, adds a modern, sustainable aesthetic. The thoughtful integration of these features creates a park that is both functional and deeply meaningful.

The park is divided into two distinct sides, the "Penn" and "Fountain" sides, each offering unique vantage points and trail experiences. The strategic placement of amenities like bicycle racks near the entrance at 1750 Granville Payne Ave, just west of the Fresh Creek Bridge, along with the noted cleanliness of the portable bathroom stalls, speaks to the attention to detail in creating a user-friendly environment. These practical features, though seemingly minor, are crucial to the overall positive experience of visitors enjoying the park's extensive offerings.

Shirley Chisholm State Park is actively promoted by New York State Parks and various environmental and community organizations as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education in Brooklyn. The park's official website provides comprehensive information on its amenities, activities, and operational hours. Promotional efforts often highlight its status as New York City's largest state park, its stunning panoramic views, and its commitment to conservation and community access. The narrative of its transformation from landfill to flourishing park is a powerful promotional tool, attracting those interested in environmental success stories.

Public programs, including guided hikes, fishing clinics, and kayaking, are regularly advertised through the park's event calendar and social media, encouraging local engagement. The free Bike Library program is a particularly effective promotional feature, making cycling accessible to a wider audience. The park's designation as a "Scenic Spot" is underscored by the visual richness it offers, from diverse wildlife to iconic cityscapes, making it a popular subject for photographers and nature enthusiasts. While direct "goods for sale" like a traditional gift shop are not available within the park, the comprehensive services and free access to its vast natural beauty and recreational opportunities constitute an invaluable offering to the public, fostering a healthier and more connected community. The park's opening and ongoing development have been central to Governor Cuomo's Vital Brooklyn Initiative, aiming to provide improved green spaces within walking distance for Central Brooklyn residents, further solidifying its importance as a community asset.

Shirley Chisholm Park Bathrooms and Water Dispenser

1750 Granville Payne Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207, USA