Spanning 1.3 miles along the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers more than just panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. In fact there's a little something for everyone in the 85-acre park. Kids can choose from five playgrounds, including one with water jets, Pier 5 offers picnic tables and grills on the waterfront, and sports enthusiasts will find a host of fields, courts, running and bike tracks where they can break a sweat.
And during the summer, the park's calendar fills up with outdoor activities for Brooklynites to take advantage of. Here are a few of them:
Where: Near Pier 2; directions can be found here.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The popular pop-up pool reopened June 29 for the summer season and will stay open until Labor Day this year. The pool can be used for 45-minute sessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for swimmers of any age and experience level. The park also offers swim lessons for kids at the pool. This will likely be the pool's fifth and final season as its closure is planned for Fall 2016.
Where: Pier 1 entrance; directions can be found here.
When: Every Thursday evening from July 7 to August 25
Outdoor movie screenings have become a summer must-do in New York and Brooklyn Bridge Park's long-running "Movies with a View" is one of city's most popular series. This year's screenings include "Singin' in the Rain" with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, Prince's iconic "Purple Rain" and David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma."
READ ALSO: Here's Your Outdoor Summer Movie Guide For New York City
Where: Granite Prospect; directions can be found here.
When: Monday nights in July and August
The park's annual literature series will be hosted by some of Brooklyn's best book shops, from Freebird to BookCourt. Authors such as Emma Straub ("Modern Lovers") and Heather Wolf ("Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront") will read at the events.
Where: Habor View Lawn at Pier 1
When: 7 p.m. on July 20 and July 27
Sit back and enjoy the music of DJ OP!, PitchBlak Brass Band and Maurice Brown on July 20 and DJ Ray Suave and Larry Harlow on July 27 for Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 music series.
► Martin Creed's "UNDERSTANDING" Sculpture
Where: Pier 6
When: May 4 to Oct. 23
The 25-foot-tall rotating, bright red neon sculpture will be a part of the park's landscape all summer, the Public Art Fund announced earlier this year. It is visible from Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The annual 1,250-foot outdoor photography exhibit that stretches from DUMBO to Brooklyn Heights in the park will be on display throughout the summer. "The Fence" features work from 40 photographers from around the world. A public tour of "The Fence" is scheduled for July 14 at 6:30 p.m. beginning at Jane's Carousel, according to the website.
► All The Park's A Stage: The Winter's Tale
Where: Brooklyn View Lawn; directions can be found here.
When: August 9, 10, 12, 13, 14; 7 p.m.
The New York Classical Theater will stage five performances of William Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
► Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks
Where: Park's entrances at Old Fulton and Furman Streets, or Joralemon and Furman Streets. While the park will be open on the Fourth of July, some of its amenities will close early. For a full list, click here.
When: Starts at 9:25 p.m.
READ ALSO: Everything You Need to Know about 4th of July in NYC
The park draws massive crowds for the fireworks every year. The entrance at Furman and Old Fulton streets is one of Macy's designated ADA/special needs viewing areas.
