Cadman Plaza Park - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Cadman Plaza Park is well known for its beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is also a popular spot for picnicking, sunbathing, and people-watching. The park features a playground, a dog run, and a basketball court. There's also a walking path that takes you around the perimeter of the park.

The park has long been a place of political action. People also use its large central lawn for play and relaxation. The shaded pathways are almost always bustling with pedestrians and dog walkers.

The long, linear park is dominated by the Brooklyn War Memorial. This massive granite and limestone monument is dedicated in 1952 to the 300,000 Brooklyn residents who served in World War II. The monument consists of a 24-foot tall wall with two classically-styled sculptures by Charles Keck.

Extending in front of the monument is a shallow stone plaza and a long, narrow expanse of lawn lined with symmetrical pathways and rows of London plane trees. The lawn was recently resurfaced with Astroturf to better accommodate active recreation. On the west side of the park is the monument honouring William Jay Gaynor, mayor of New York from 1910-1913.

Cadman Plaza Park was originally called Brooklyn Bridge Plaza. It was constructed in 1940 as part of a redevelopment effort to create an automobile ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge. The project reflected the dual goals of the administration of the Parks Commissioner to increase parkland and access to recreation and to improve traffic circulation throughout the city. The park now forms part of the border between the neighbourhoods of Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn.

The park was renamed Cadman Plaza Park to honour the Reverend Dr Samuel Parks Cadman, a distinguished Brooklyn minister and leader of Central Congregational Church in Brooklyn from 1900 to 1936.

Cadman Plaza Park is a lovely spot to visit any time of year, but certain times are especially enjoyable. In the spring, the park comes alive with colourful flowers, and the trees are covered in billowing green leaves. The summer months are perfect for picnics and relaxation, and the autumnal foliage is simply breathtaking. Winter brings a different kind of beauty to the park, as the trees are covered in sparkling frost. At any time of the year except for winter, the park will be filled with people at the weekends and evenings.

1. Pack lunch and enjoy it at one of the park's picnic tables. Don't forget to bring a blanket to sit on if there are no tables available!
2. Enjoy the views of Lower Manhattan.
3. The park can get very crowded on weekends.
4. The park is located in a busy part of town, so be sure to keep an eye on your belongings.

1. Brooklyn War Memorial monument in the centre of the park is dedicated to the 300,000 Brooklynites who served in World War II.
2. The park is named for Reverend Doctor Samuel Parkes Cadman- a liberal Protestant clergyman, newspaper writer, and pioneer Christian radio broadcaster of the 1920s and 1930s.
3. The park also houses the memorial of William Jay Gaynor- an American politician from New York City who is noted as a reformer.

You can easily explore Cadman Plaza Park in 30 minutes to an hour. But to enjoy it fully, pack a picnic and spend about 2 to 3 hours.

The park lies pretty much in the center of Newyork. From Brooklyn Bridge, it is only 2 minute walk.

There is no fee to enter the park.

Cadman Plaza Park is open daily from 6 AM to the next day 1 AM.