Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Shirley Chisholm State Park

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Address
Fountain Side Entrance:
950 Fountain Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11239

Penn Side Entrance:
1750 Pennsylvania Avenue (also known as 1750 Granville Payne Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11239
Latitude 40.643033170
Longitude -73.875378500

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Pet Policy

Pets are not allowed at Shirley Chisholm State Park

2023 Bike Library Season: May 4- October 29

All you have to do is sign in and leave an ID. We'll provide you with a Library bike and helmet for up to 2 hours for your adventure inside the park!

Thursdays - Sundays, weather permitting (Weather hotline (718) 277-2420 ext. 6)

First Ride Out - 10am

Last Ride Out - 4pm or 1 hour before last entry into park

We offer on-line reservations on the hour, from 10am - 4pm via the links below:
FountainBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com located at 950 Fountain Avenue 
PennBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com located at 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue

See more info about the Bike Library and reservations under Hours of Operation

Shirley Chisholm State Park is named in honor of Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born trailblazer who was the first African American Congresswoman, as well as the first woman and African American to run for President.

Rising up 130 feet above sea level, this new park occupies some of the highest ground in New York City and offers spectacular panoramic views of the Empire State Building to the northwest, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor to the west, and Jamaica Bay to the south.

The site, which has never been open to the public before, rests atop the former Pennsylvania and Fountain Avenue landfills. The Penn and Fountain landfills were operated by New York City Department of Sanitation from 1956 to 1983.

After the landfills were closed, the work to reclaim and repurpose the 407 acres of land as a future park began. The first steps were to install an impermeable plastic cap and a below-ground barrier to fully encapsulate the landfills and support future reuse. A below grade methane gas piping system was also installed throughout the property so that all off gassing is carried to the property's two flares.

More than 1.2 million cubic yards of clean soil - or enough to fill nearly 100,000 dump trucks - was spread up to four feet deep across the site. The site was then planted with more than 35,000 trees and shrubs, and native grassland species. This addition of prairie grass and native plants has created a diverse ecosystem of coastal meadows, wetlands, and woodlands that has attracted a variety of birds and other local wildlife. In addition, this lovely ecosystem works to protect the capped land and prevent erosion.

In 1974, the city deeded the land to the National Park Service as part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and the City of New York, New York State Parks is developing and operating Shirley Chisholm State Park.

After years of anticipation, Shirley Chisholm State Park is now open 365 days per year, 8 a.m. to dusk. 

The park offers:

  • 10 miles of biking and hiking trails - please stay on the trails!
  • SCSP Bike Library with loaner bikes for park patrons of all ages
  • Gorgeous waterfront access on Penn Pier, Hendrix Creek Patio
  • Picnicking
  • Environmental Education including fishing, guided bird walks and nature in your neighborhood

Please help us take care of this wonderful park and respect the rules:

  • Please place all trash and recycling in the proper containers
  • Please, no smoking!
  • Please, no grilling or fires!
  • Please leave your dogs and pets at home
  • Please keep wildlife wild, do not feed the birds or water fowl

Pets are not allowed at Shirley Chisholm State Park.

Mailing Address
950 Fountain Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11239

Hours of Operation

  • The park is open year round, 8:00 am - dusk.
  • 2023 Bike Library Season

    May 4 - October 29

    Come enjoy our free bike loan program and explore 10 miles of car-free paths and amazing vistas! Come connect with nature, get some exercise and have fun. All you have to do is sign in and leave an ID. We'll provide you with a Library bike and helmet for up to 2 hours for your adventure inside the park!

    Bike Loans: Season: May 4th - October 29th

    Thursdays - Sundays, weather permitting (Weather hotline (718) 277-2420 ext. 6)

    First Ride Out - 10am

    Last Ride Out - 4pm or 1 hour before last entry into park

  • We offer on-line reservations on the hour, from 10am - 4pm via the links below.

    FountainBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com  located at 950 Fountain Avenue

    PennBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com located at 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue

    We also offer the opportunity to register on-site on the half hour, from 10:30am - 3:30pm.

    Each time slot is limited to 6 riders. All riders must bring an ID, complete registration, wear a helmet (yours or ours), stay within park boundaries while riding, respect other park users & keep to the right, return bike within 2 hours or at closing time.

    Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Fees & Rates

  • Park Admission
  • NO Vehicle Use Fee!
    Bike Library free!
    Environmental education programs free!

Sat 23 Sep
Glide & Ride
Saturday, September 23, 2023 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Learn to ride a bicycle at one of two weekly sessions! All ages welcome. Registration through Penn Bike Library. Please visit: PennBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com or FountainBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com for more details, rider signups, and program registration.
Sat 23 Sep
Learn to Kayak: Open Paddle
Saturday, September 23, 2023 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Join us for a beginner paddling class! No prior experience required. Registration required.
Registration: Required
Thu 28 Sep
SUNSET HIKE
Thursday, September 28, 2023 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Explore the Fountain trails during sunset and explore the changes the park experiences from day to night! Registration required.
Registration: Required
Sat 30 Sep
Glide & Ride
Saturday, September 30, 2023 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Learn to ride a bicycle at one of two weekly sessions! All ages welcome. Registration through Penn Bike Library. Please visit: PennBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com or FountainBikeLibrary.eventbrite.com for more details, rider signups, and program registration.
Sat 30 Sep
FISHING
Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Learn about the fish living in Jamaica Bay through our last rod and reel fishing session of the season! All materials provided. Registration recommended.

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