The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is having “Sunset Ohana,” its 14th annual (which seems to go back to when the Park was still a gleam in some local citizens’ eyes) sunset party at Pier 1 on Thursday, June 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This year the theme is Hawaiian.

Our little slice of Hawaii on the Brooklyn waterfront will include authentic Hawaiian steel guitars and classic surf music, tasty island treats, luau lawn games, a tropical specialty cocktail, hula sessions, and much more. Be sure to wear your most colorful shirt!

Among the “tasty island treats” will be “spam sliders with green papaya slaw.” Can’t wait! (I’m not kidding.)

More info here and buy tix here. Come and get lei’d!

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/58977

The Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), of which there are many on Piers 1 and 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, are beginning to bloom (see maps for locations here). So, just like last year, BBP is having a contest for the best bluebell photos. Contest details are here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/58801

BRIC Arts Media and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy are co-sponsoring a series of three Celebrate Brooklyn! dance parties on Pier 1 the next three Thursday evenings, starting at 7:00 p.m. This Thursday, May 9, the featured act is New Orleans’ Big Sam’s Funky Nation (photo). The NYC Freedom’s DJs will warm things up. Next Thursday, May 16, is an Afro-Cuban dance party with Pedrito Martinez and DJ Nickodemus. The final party, on May 23, is an Old School & Hip-Hop extravaganza with Zapp Band and D-Nice. More details here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/58733

This morning I resumed my routine of taking a brisk walk along the Promenade, down Squibb Hill, around Pier 1, and back. I was anxious to see how this part of Brooklyn Bridge Park had weathered the hurricane. On the way in, I passed this blaze of fall foliage (click on image to enlarge). More photos and text after the jump.

Looking north along the riverside esplanade toward the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.

A single, battered Rosa rugosa clings to its bush, surrounded by rose hips.

Frank Gehry’s 8 Spruce Street shows its Bernini drapery in the morning sunlight. A Machine, part of Oscar Tuazon’s “People” series of sculptures, is in the foreground.

The Brooklyn Bridge, seen through the trees.

Looking south along the Esplanade; the skeleton of the shed on Pier 2 is in the background.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
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Four four legged friends enjoy the sunshine and each others’ company on a bench in front of the Granite Prospect on Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park. On the right is Wellington, named best tail wagger at this year’s Brooklyn Heights Association Dog Show. Next to him, in pink harness, is neighbor and occasional walking companion Sadie. We don’t know the names of the two at the left, who seem to be becoming very good friends. Perhaps someone can help. (Click on image to enlarge.) Another photo after the jump.

Tweety the pigeon, found as a baby in a trash can, rests contented in the hands of rescuer Helen after receiving her blessing at Grace Church on Sunday evening.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49000

This afternoon your correspondent took a walk down to Pier 1, Brooklyn Heights Park, and was greeted by some scenes of early fall. Sumac leaves were turning red and yellow (photo). More photos and text after the jump.

This scene is looking north from near the park entrance at the foot of Doughty Street, toward the Manhattan Bridge (we’re looking under the Brooklyn Bridge).

The day closed with another gorgeous Brooklyn Heights sunset, seen from the Promenade.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48940

You can vote for the final movie in the Syfy Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park, to be shown this Thursday, August 30, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Harbor View Lawn on Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park. The nominees are: Splendor in the Grass (seems appropriate for the venue); Across the Universe (Ah! The view!); Sunset Boulevard (you can watch the sun set as DJ Geko Jones of Que Bajo does the pre-movie sounds); and Clueless (the default choice?). You may cast your ballot here; please be prompt, as the polls close soon.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/46381

On Friday morning I took a quick turn around Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, before heading to work. As I was lining up a shot of Mark di Suvero’s Yoga, a small branch with some dry leaves fell in front of me. I didn’t notice it until I downloaded the photo; it’s at the right side of the picture (click on it to enlarge). More photos and text after the jump.
Rounding a corner of a path, I startled some sparrows. They flew up, then alighted on a fence.
These are rose hips from Rosa rugosa, near the Granite Prospect, where Patti Smith will read and sign books this Monday evening, August 6, at 7:00.
Sailing up the East River, a sloop approaches the Manhattan Bridge.
Worker on a cable of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Flowers by the pond near the pier’s northeast corner.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45153

Karl and his cam were on hand around noon today when a small NYPD vehicle caught fire on the path next to Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, producing an impressive plume of smoke. He was able to get some good video until one of the gens d’armes (Hey! It’s Bastille Day) objected (update: to use a favorite Finkism, objected err somethin’). Video after the jump.

NYPD shoos Karl away from harm.

Publisher’s note: We would like to thank the NYPD officer who asked Karl to stop video taping the fire.  While commenters here seem to think the officer was attempting to stomp out coverage of a local news event,  we can only assume that the officer was only very concerned about Mr. J’s safety and we thank him.  Seriously folks, Karl wasn’t dancing or anything like that.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44269

Our friends at Gothamist got some scary looking photos taken last night by Bobby Finger of a ragged looking one-eyed raccoon seen climbing a chain link fence next to a walkway adjoining Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The critter in the photo above is another, much healthier looking Brooklyn raccoon, caught on pixels by our friend Flatbush Gardener. You may recall our publisher Homer Fink’s encounter with a raccoon two and a half years ago, right on Willow Street!

The raccoon wasn’t the first instance of mammalian wildlife (apart from the unfortunately ubiquitous Rattus norvegicus or the familiar grey squirrel) to be spotted in the Park. Our man Karl found a muskrat living in a pond next to Pier 1 in August, 2010, and named him (or her) “Dodger.” Dodger hasn’t been seen since.

Gothamist updated their post to report that Park officials confirmed that the raccoon has been captured.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44158

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43686

Yesterday morning I took my usual walk along the Promenade and down Squibb Hill to Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, where I joined the group assembling for the bird tour. Our guide was Carolyn (at left, in green top, in the photo) who began by regretting how hot it was and noting that this meant birds would be harder to find than usual. Nevertheless, our little expedition enjoyed some success. More photos and text after the jump.

We didn’t have to go far before encountering some birds of several kinds, including barn swallows, mockingbirds, a rock pigeon (not as common as before, Carolyn noted, because of the increase in the population of hawks and peregrine falcons in the city) and two different kinds of sparrows. Unfortunately for me and my little point-’n’-shoot camera, by the time I could aim and shoot they were gone.

There was a catbird in here a moment ago, I swear!

Our luck improved as we got near the water.

Here’s a mother mallard and two youngsters paddling past the pilings. Carolyn said the males leave in spring after the ducklings hatch. (No doubt they repair to a place where they can smoke cigars, drink beer, and watch the Stanley Cup playoffs.)

We also saw this gull perched on a piling as kayaks passed.

Another gull was soaring overhead.

A house sparrow glides to a landing.

Here he displays his black breast, marking him as male. House sparrows are an invasive species, brought here for sentimental reasons and because they have a prodigious appetite for insects. The story of how they were brought to New York and of their subsequent conquest of North America is told on a sign at the northwest corner of Hillside Park.

After the tour, Carolyn showed her feather collection.

All in all, not as productive of good photos as the tour I took last year, but very informative, thanks to Carolyn’s considerable knowledge.

This morning, I took an early walk down to Pier 1 and saw lots of birds, including this mockingbird pair perched on a park bench.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43362

As anticipated, Mayor Bloomberg’s office announced today that the proposal for a hotel and residential complex on the space between Furman Street and Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park submitted by Starwood Capital Group and Toll Brothers has been selected. The image (thanks to Curbed) shows how the buildings will look from the Promenade. As you can see, they will partially obstruct the view of the Brooklyn Bridge and largely obscure the view of Pier 1.

According to the Curbed article linked above, the hotel will have 200 rooms and the residential portion will have 159 units. The article also quotes from the Mayor’s press release:

The proposed building plan will feature nearly 16,000 square feet of restaurant space, 16,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space, 2,000 square feet of retail space, a 6,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and 300 parking spaces. It also includes park restrooms as well as maintenance space for park operations.

The hotel will be named Hotel 1.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42634

On Thursday evening your correspondent donned rain-ready togs before heading down to Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Sunset Bhangra party, but the weather proved benign, as the rain that threatened stayed just to our north. People kept coming in droves; fortunately, food and drink were plentiful, and good. Video, more text and photos after the jump.

Looking down from the entry at 6:15 p.m., I could see a good sized crowd beginning to assemble.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation President Regina Myer.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Brooklyn Heights Association President Jane McGroarty.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive director Nancy Webster.

In the video above, party guests cut loose learning to dance the bhangra way. It was a Bollywood climax to a delightful party.

Love the Park? Consider becoming a charter member of the Conservancy. Details are here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42026

Mr. J., with cam on the Promenade, catches the Enterprise riding a barge on its trip into the Hudson and to its new permanent home at the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum on Manhattan’s West Side. Heading up the Promenade, he takes a gander at the new swimming pool under construction near Pier 2. Knowing Karl’s love of Brooklyn Bridge Park, we’re not surprised that he then went down to Pier 1 for a break at the Wine Bar. See video after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41800

The time has arrived to get your oars on at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Every Saturday from June 9 through September 1, kayaking and community rowing is available at the Boathouse at Pier 1. The time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Last sign-up is an hour before closing time. For more info, see here.

In other BBP news, the non-profit NYC Fieldhouse that is underwriting the design and construction of the year round, multi-purpose rec and cycling facility on Furman Street near Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, announces three upcoming community forums to discuss the project and hear feedback on its programming and design. Fieldhouse staff with the facility¹s architect and reps of Brooklyn Bridge Park will be present.

The first forum takes place June 18 at the Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, 6:30-8:15 p.m. On June 20, a Red Hook forum will assemble at the South Brooklyn Community High School, 173 Conover Street, 6:30-8:15 p.m.; followed a June 25 forum in Brooklyn Heights/Downtown Brooklyn at the Callahan Center at St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, 6:30-8:15 p.m. A fourth forum will be scheduled in DUMBO at a later date.

No RSVP is required, although members of the community are requested to email
NYCFieldhouse@gmail.com with the forum location they wish to attend.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41785

The final two performances of Theater 2020′s innovative, family friendly production of Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors will take place this coming Saturday and Sunday, June 9th and 10th, both starting at 7:00 p.m., at Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park. Admission is free.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41693

It was a perfect weekend day, and Karl has the best of what Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Fulton Ferry Historic District had to offer: The P.S. 8 Paddlewheeler Festival! The secrets of compost tea! Gran Electrica’s backyard garden! Red admiral butterflies! See it all on his video after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41667

Red and white kites soared over Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park today for the World Science Festival–Science on Site. More photos and text after the jump.

A diver, pursued by a tiny shark, hovered over the river lawn.

Although the Festival had just begun, the Discovery Lab was busy.

Anyone for a cuppa?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41644

Tomorrow evening (Friday, June 1) the Brooklyn Film Festival starts at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema with screenings of Brooklyn Castle (8:00 p.m., Cinema 2, sold out) and Rose (photo) (8:30 p.m., Cinema 1, tickets available through the Festival website linked above). The Festival continues through the weekend, the following week and weekend, finishing on Sunday, June 10. A complete schedule is on the linked Festival website.

Several events will be taking place at Brooklyn Bridge Park this weekend. The World Science Festival–Science on Site will be on Pier 1 Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Also on Saturday, professional and amateur astronomers will be on Pier 1 for a stargazing party from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 to 5:30, Walt Whitman fans should gather at the Granite Prospect on Pier 1 for a marathon reading of the Brooklyn Bard’s “Song of Myself”.

On Saturday afternoon, starting at 3:00 p.m., gather at the Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street (corner of Clinton) for a walking tour, “Hiding in Plain Sight: A Walk Down Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn Heights”. Tickets ($8; $5 for BHS members) may be purchased, and there are more details, here.

Don’t forget the final two performances of Theater 2020′s production of Shakepeare’s A Comedy of Errors: Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., at the Cranberry Street Theater Space, Assumption Church, 55 Cranberry Street.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41508