GOWANUS WATERFRONT PARK

BACK in June I took a walk in Carroll Gardens and Gowanus; I may do a post on the walk, or release the photos in dribs and drabs, depending on my energy. Though I have explored the Gowanus Canal area a great deal in the past, circumnavigating it completely in 2005, because of various health troubles I haven’t been as around and about lately as I could have been; it’s frustrating. We’ll see if physical therapy can alleviate back issues. The canal area is among Brooklyn’s fastest-changing regions as high rise apartments are springing up quickly alongside it.

As far back as the 1880s the Gowanus Canal had become the cloaca of Brooklyn, filled with industrial waste, garbage and sewer outflow. Engineers reached a partial solution by 1911, when a flushing tunnel was dug from the head of the canal at Butler Street southwest to Buttermilk Channel. At the pumping station a steam-powered propeller forced water out of the canal and expelled it into the channel, and cleaner water was admitted into the canal.

Things went, while not literally swimmingly, well enough for a few decades, though the Gowanus Canal would never remind anyone of Venice. The Buttermilk Channel (named because currents would cause milk to change to butter on boats moored there, supposedly) was not the place to deposit raw sewage, which would still find its way into the canal. The flushing tunnel stopped working altogether in the 1960s and it would be fully three decades before it would be repaired; Gowanus Canal became just as foul as before. Typhoid and cholera germs were found in it, prompting the construction of a Red Hook waste water treatment plant eventually constructed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

At last, though, the flush pump was repaired in May 1999–after 2000 tons of contaminated mud was dredged from the canal — and the Gowanus is [slowly] on the way to cleanliness and wildlife has returned to its waters. Though it’s still unpotable, developers are not willing to wait and are constructing dozens of new buildings.

A side benefit of the new construction is a new park along the canal, Gowanus Waterfront Park, which runs from Carroll south to 2nd Streets along the west side of Gowanus Canal. You won’t find any NYC Parks signage anywhere in the park as it was sponsored and constructed by the builders of 365 Bond.

According to Visit Brooklyn:

Gowanus Waterfront Park is a vibrant and scenic green space located along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. This park offers a welcome retreat from the urban environment, providing a tranquil setting for relaxation, recreation, and community gatherings. The park features beautifully landscaped gardens, walking paths, and seating areas, where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and waterfront views. In addition to its serene atmosphere, Gowanus Waterfront Park also hosts a variety of events and activities, such as outdoor yoga classes, art installations, and community festivals, fostering a sense of connection and engagement among residents. The park’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is evident in its design and maintenance, making it a model for urban green spaces. Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely stroll, participate in a community event, or simply enjoy the outdoors, Gowanus Waterfront Park offers a refreshing and enjoyable experience in the heart of Brooklyn.

I liked the park’s views of the industrial remnants along the canal and the wood benches, providing some much needed rest after a lengthy walk. Also, the park is lit by retro short-masted Triboro posts, to my knowledge their first use in Brooklyn; since the Triboro Bridge connects Manhattan, Bronx and Queens, the poles have appeared along streets like Broadway, Ditmars Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue (Queens) and Hunts Point and Elton Avenues (Bronx).

The park’s north end is at the Carroll Street Bridge, built in the 1880s, seen here in 2022. It’s been stuck in the open position with no reopening date in sight; perhaps one of the developers can fund its repair.

Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the  gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site. 

8/8/25