Today, I tool my Surly Bridge Club to a new amazing park here in NYC. Shirley Chisholm Park, located on the Brooklyn waterfront, contains 10 miles of swooping gravel paths with amazing views of the city and Jamaica Bay.
Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, and she represented New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.
This site was a landfill from 1956 to 1983. In 1974, the city deeded the land to the National Park Service as part of Gateway National Recreation Area
Ride Map
There are 10 miles of trails, but about 3-4 are still under construction and will open “Fall 2019”.
Birders along Hendrix Creek
Fishing in Jamaica Bay off of Penn Pier
The riding was quite fantastic, and I stopped many times to take it in. Seeing the Manhattan skyline in one direction and JFK Airport in the other, but existing in total silence, is pretty ethereal.
The park is split into 2 halves
Trail Map
The ‘Pennsylvania” section is to the West (map above show South as being up). This smaller section has some twisting trails and a great fishing pier.
Crossing over a bike line next to the Parkway brings you to the larger “Fountain” section. Here, trails run longer and the elevation is a bit higher. The ring trail and pier on this section is still under construction.
The Manhattan skyline in the distance
It couldn’t be easier to get to this oasis. Its an 8 mile bike ride from the shop, and a quick and accessible ride by car. Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 14 and you’re right there!
Look for some great rides out to the park this Fall and again this Spring (winter might be a bit brutal out there).