DUMBO — Brooklyn rock climbers will no longer have to travel far to climb outdoors.
The Cliffs at Long Island City is opening an affordable outdoor climbing wall at Brooklyn Bridge Park this spring.
DUMBO Boulders, which is already in place under the Manhattan Bridge at the Main Street section of the park, will be the largest outdoor bouldering facility in North America, according to the park.
The bright blue walls, which come in at 4886 square-feet of climbable surface area, can fit 51 climbers comfortably at the same time, according to The Cliffs. The entire 7,800-square-foot facility can accommodate about 250 climbers at any given time.
A day pass at the new facility will cost climbers only $9 — a steal compared to the $28 price tag on day passes at The Cliff’s Long Island City gym. Rental shoes, usually $6 at the gym, are free with the price of admission and chalk, which keeps climbers from slipping, will be available for a small fee.
The walls are short enough that they don't require climbers to be strapped into a harness, park reps said.
While the location offers a scenic view of the East River and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the facility’s placement directly under the Manhattan Bridge means climbers will be surrounded by the ambient sounds of car traffic.
And instead of the crashpads typically used to soften the fall beneath many bouldering walls, the ground beneath the outdoor climbing area will be padded using compacted rubber mulch, which the park says will provide a soft landing.
The new facility will lead free programming for students in after-school programs and on field trips.
To start, the bouldering gym will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
