Columbus Park is a public space in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, surrounded by historic civic buildings like Borough Hall and the Brooklyn Supreme Court connecting the Cadman Plaza Park area, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. The almost 8 acres big area was developed 60 years ago and is currently underutilized without organic green spaces, partly inaccessible for wheelchairs and strollers due to stairs, with fenced off green spaces and a lack of shade in the summer. The design concept presented incorporates more accessible green spaces, shade, public restrooms, playground and more.
WXY Studio @WXYStudio, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (@MVAA.inc) and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership have developed a new vision for the park that is being supported by the Borough President and Council Member Lincoln Restler.
The new vision includes the following community feedback:
- Making it a park where people want to spend time and not just pass through
- Accessible green spaces with seating
- Public restrooms
- Concessions
- Playground
- Dog park
- Dedicated skate park
- Creation of shade
- Water fountain accessible for play and cooling off in the summer
- Improved lighting at night
- Pedestrian forward view to improve crossings around the park
- Utilization of judges parking lot as park land
The team hopes to get the budget approved to implement at least Phase 1 by 2030 which includes accessible green spaces and lawns, new water fountain for kids to play in, new pathways, more trees and shade, as well as a one story building with restroom and concessions and green space in the judges parking lot.
The area at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Plaza for playground and skatepark is listed as Phase 3 with no timeline yet.
