Shirley Chisholm State Park: Your own Private Brooklyn

Shirley Chisholm State Park: Your own Private Brooklyn

Urban living usually means being surrounded by concrete, bricks, asphalt, and people. You work in a high-rise office and go home to your high-rise apartment. You spend more time in an elevator than you do outdoors. The thought of going for a bike ride or a hike after work isn’t appealing. Fighting cars for space on Manhattan’s streets ends in frustration. But you have options in Brooklyn—actually, almost 1,000 acres of options.

Relax Hard After Working Hard

Regardless of your job, you must work hard to make it in New York City. So give yourself a chance to relax when you’re home. One of the best places to relax is Brooklyn’s beautiful Shirley Chisholm State Park (SCSP). Both individuals and families have many options for relaxation after work or for a fun-filled Saturday or Sunday on its 407 acres.

Before we get too far, let’s introduce Shirley Chisholm. She was a Member of Congress, representing New York’s 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983. Shirley Chisholm State Park is in her former district. She was the first black woman elected to Congress. her Additionally, in 1972 she became the first woman and the first African American to seek party’s nomination for President. She died in 2005.

Chisholm Park Offers Great Downtime in Brooklyn

Shirley Chisholm State Park is a great way to escape the city. SCSP offers ten miles of biking and hiking trails, loaner bikes, waterfront access, fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. SCSP opened in 2019, giving residents from Brooklyn and all of New York’s boroughs access to Jamaica Bay for the first time in decades. The park is located on some of the highest ground in New York, providing views of Midtown Manhattan, New York Harbor, and Jamaica Bay. 

The Rest of the Neighborhood   

Chisholm Park is near Brooklyn’s historic district, where Grace Episcopal Church, St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity Church are located. In addition, the Heights Casino and the Packer Collegiate Institute are nearby. 

Another great outdoor option is Prospect Park, nicknamed Brooklyn’s Central Park. It’s the largest park in Brooklyn with 526 acres. It includes the Brooklyn Zoo, an ice rink, and multiple playing fields and recreational areas. 

Shirley Chisholm State Park is one of the perks of living in Brooklyn. It allows you the opportunity to step away from the busy New York lifestyle whenever you wish. Another benefit is the rentals available at Vitagraph BK, apartments comprised of free-standing homes with beautiful landscaping. Living at Vitagraph BK puts you in the center of Brooklyn, convenient to your favorite coffee house and escapes from your daily grind. 

Image by Galvin Bros