About Under the K
Under the K Bridge Park reimagines a vast industrial space as a home for community, serving as a proof-of-concept that public space, ecological restoration, and large-scale events can coexist alongside heavy industry.
An Industrial Ecosystem
Under the K connects Greenpoint’s industrial history with a more sustainable future. Located between Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Newtown Creek, and multiple manufacturing facilities, the triple junction is an example of an environmental justice zone—an area that has been deeply impacted by surrounding pollution. The vision for the park took this legacy into account, acting as an environmental intervention while addressing the area’s need for more open space. The resulting design is anchored in functional architecture that mirrors its hard-working surroundings.
Flexible Placemaking
The park is divided into segments that can be opened into one continuous space, or activated in sections to accommodate both public and special events. Large concrete areas can transition from a skateboarding destination into a concert stage in a single afternoon. Trees, diverse plant species, and the Native Nursery interact with the structures, working to restore our local habitat. Combined, these features establish the park as a living laboratory for community-driven placemaking and ecological resilience.
Under the K at a Glance
Open to Public 2021
Size 6.7 Acres
Design PUBLIC WORK, Toronto
Operations North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, Brooklyn NY
Property Type Public - New York State Department of Transportation
The Roots of the District
Under the K is much more than a public park; it is also the operational headquarters for the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance and plays a central role in our horticultural and maintenance initiatives across Brooklyn’s Community Board 1. Stewarding the public realm requires space for heavy equipment, tools, plants, soil and much more. What may appear to be a sea of concrete is, in fact, the foundation that supports every aspect of our work across the district, from the Native Nursery to our mission-driven services and programs.
A Park that Pays it Forward
Under the K is a public space that operates without public funding. It was designed with a revenue model that supports ticketed events, generating funds to reinvest not just in the park itself, but also in open spaces across North Brooklyn. Public funding does not meet citywide demand for quality parks, so Under the K represents an innovative approach to maintaining our vital shared spaces. Learn more about our Park Restoration Fund and the projects it supports here.