Fort Greene Park
New York City, NY
A magnet for locals in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, this sprawling park is beloved for its lush surroundings and vibrant community events. It stands at the site of a fort that was built during the Revolutionary War and rebuilt during the War of 1812.
The basics
Fort Greene Park is better known today as a recreational area than a historic site, but it still holds some reminders of the past. One landmark is the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, a massive Doric column with a bronze urn, marking a crypt for prisoners who were held captive by British forces during the Revolutionary War. Other features at the park include a visitor center, tennis and basketball courts, and playgrounds.
Things to know before you go
- Fort Greene Park is a great place for history buffs, families with kids, and joggers.
- Park facilities include Wi-Fi hotspots, public restrooms, barbecuing areas, and off-leash areas for dogs.
- Sections of the park are sometimes closed for maintenance or reseeding; closed areas are typically signposted.
- The park is wheelchair-friendly, with plenty of paved paths throughout.
- Cyclists should dismount and walk their bikes when inside the park.
How to get there
The park is in the Fort Greene neighborhood in Brooklyn. From Manhattan, you can take the B, Q, or R train to DeKalb Avenue (a 5-minute walk away) or the C to Lafayette Street. From other areas of Brooklyn or Queens, the G to Fulton Street is another option.
When to get there
Summer is a lovely time to visit, with warm weather, concerts, movie nights, and a large population of monarch butterflies. The park is a year-round attraction, though, with lots of seasonal events, including a dog costume contest around Halloween. Come on a Saturday morning to shop for produce and gourmet items at the Fort Greene Park Greenmarket.
The Fort Greene Park Greenmarket
Held Saturday mornings at the southeast corner of Fort Greene Park, the farmers market is a great place to shop for everything from seafood to baked goods, along with plenty of produce, much of it grown in the rich soils of New York State's Black Dirt Region. Even if you aren’t staying somewhere with a kitchen, it’s worth stopping by for a bit of browsing—and sampling.
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