Abolitionist Place Park opens to public in Downtown Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Abolitionist Place Park is Downtown Brooklyn's newest community jewel. It officially opened to the public on Wednesday.

After years of anticipation, Abolitionist Place, Downtown Brooklyn's newest public greenspace, has officially opened its gates to the community. The long-awaited 1.15-acre park is a verdant oasis in the heart of the bustling neighborhood, providing much-needed open space for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

For Paul Travis, a local worker whose office overlooks the park, the opening is a momentous occasion he has witnessed unfold over the past two decades. "It's a phenomenal result," Travis exclaimed, recounting the construction journey he observed from his window.

"By Monday afternoon it was jammed with people, working in the neighborhood, living in the neighborhood, shoppers. It's gonna be a tremendous success, I think."

Abolitionist Place honors Brooklyn's abolitionist history and Underground Railroad ties, a past that Travis finds deeply meaningful. "I'm gonna be using the park to relax and just enjoy a very diverse neighborhood. Very unique in New York," he said. "You really see it in the park. So it's a terrific place to hang out."

Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), acknowledged the complexities of developing urban parks like this one. "It can be complicated in dense urban areas, getting it right," Kimball admitted.

However, the final product is a triumph, featuring a play area, lawn, dog run, plantings, water feature, and ample seating designed by renowned landscape architects Hargreaves Jones.

Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, emphasized the park's role as a community hub. "It's really embracing our city and giving back, and we have it right here in Downtown Brooklyn," Myer said.

Myer also underscored the significance of the park's name, stating, "We needed to memorialize the abolitionist movement here in Brooklyn. So many brave people worked hard to support and move forward the abolitionist movement right here in this neighborhood."

As the ribbon was cut Wednesday, Myer acknowledged Abolitionist Place's dual purpose of recognizing the past while paving the way for a more inclusive future.

For Travis, the park represents a long-awaited gathering space where he can immerse himself in the area's vibrant diversity. "There's not a lot of neighborhoods in America really as diverse as this neighborhood," he mused. "You really see it in the park."

He looks forward to spending warm summer evenings relaxing on the lawn after work, watching a cross-section of New Yorkers come together in this special place.