Exploring Boro ‘Parks’: Sunset Park

By Y.M. Lowy

Photos: Zevi Klein

In our summer series Exploring Boro ‘Parks’, BoroPark24 is visiting parks close to the neighborhood that offer a space to breathe, move, and share moments with family. Each week, we’ll share a short look at a nearby park’s past and what makes it worth a visit today.

Sunset Park is a 24.5-acre park in Brooklyn that stretches from 41st to 44th Streets and 5th to 7th Avenue. It’s built on one of the highest spots in Brooklyn, so the views are amazing. From the top of the hill, you can see the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor, and even parts of Staten Island and New Jersey.

The park has been around since the late 1800s. Back then, it had a pond, a small golf course, a rustic shelter, and even a carousel. But in the 1930s, things changed. The government built a huge pool and a rec center as part of a jobs program during the Great Depression. That pool is still there today, and both the pool and building are now protected as historic landmarks.

These days, Sunset Park is full of life all year round. In the summer, families crowd around the Splash Pad and pool to cool off. There are basketball courts, a soccer field, playgrounds, and big open lawns for picnics or just hanging out. There’s also a tree memorial area for the victims of 9/11, planted in 2002. Inside the rec center, there are programs for people of all ages.

The park is also a favorite spot for photographers, thanks to those amazing skyline views. The pool, which first opened in 1936, is still super popular.

Stay with us as we continue exploring more parks in the weeks ahead.