The long-awaited Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park — the waterfront park’s main attraction for kids — will open on Saturday.
The mega-playground at the foot of Atlantic Avenue, includes a water attraction, giant sandbox, plenty of slides and a “valley” of swings — plus a new dock that will offer a free ferry service to and from Governors Island.
The announcement comes as a relief to many parents, who have called the park’s first playground on Pier 1 too boring, too small, and too dangerous.
“I love that the play area is split up in different areas — it won’t be so crowded and there’s a lot to do,” said Savita Lepore, who brought her three children on a preview of the pier in May.
During that preview, the Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation revealed a maze of different play sections, including “Slide Mountain” near the entrance with expert jungle gyms, “Swing Valley” where several shaded nooks offer different swings for different age groups, and “Sandbox Village,” which is pretty much exactly what its name suggests.
If that’s not enough, developers will open a dog run, three sand volleyball courts, a restaurant with roof access, and even a plant marsh on the pier later this summer. At the same time, developers are finishing up the uplands section near Pier 2 in Brooklyn Heights, which will include a tidal and spiral pool, a boat ramp for motor-less watercraft, and may some day have a skating rink and basketball courts.
But table those dreams for now, grab those board shorts and some sunscreen, and we’ll see you on Saturday.
Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park (Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street in Cobble Hill). Free. Opening ceremony at 10 am on Saturday, June 5. For info, visit www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org.
