Renderings courtesy of CityPickle
CityPickle on Friday released its plan to transform two parking lots beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo into a pickleball hub. The project, slated for Anchorage Plaza—an area under the bridge between Old Fulton and Washington Streets—takes up 60,000 square feet and features 11 pickleball courts, food trucks, green space with planters, games, seating, shaded areas, bike racks, and space for community programming. CityPickle was selected by the city’s Parks Department last June to revitalize the underused space, which will operate from March through November.
Anchorage Plaza is made up of three areas: the Old Fulton Street Yard, located between Old Fulton and Prospect Streets, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and the Brooklyn Bridge; the Washington Street Yard, bounded by York, Prospect, and Washington Streets, the BQE, and the bridge; and Ash Alley, a narrow passage beneath the Brooklyn Bridge that connects the two yards.
The project will open up the space, nearly the size of two football fields, to the public for the first time in more than 15 years.
“By transforming this fenced-off lot into a dynamic public plaza, we’re giving New Yorkers and visitors a safe and accessible place to work up a sweat and take in the fresh air, here in scenic Dumbo,” NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa said.
“Whether you’re heading to the pickleball courts for a workout, lounging in the shade by the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, or enjoying refreshments from world-class food trucks, the revitalized Anchorage Plaza will have something for everyone.”
As 6sqft previously reported, CityPickle will occupy the plaza for a contract spanning three to six years, and all of the components will be temporary and movable. The contract length depends on when the city plans to rebuild sections of the deteriorating BQE. Hours of operation and rates for the pickleball center are still being determined.
CityPickle currently operates locations in Long Island City, Union Square, Industry City, and Central Park’s Wollman Rink, where it debuted in the summer of 2023. Following a successful inaugural season, the company signed a three-year agreement with the park through 2026.
“The CityPickle Brooklyn Bridge plan actively demonstrates how pickleball can transform placemaking in dense cities,” said Mary Cannon, co-founder and co-CEO of CityPickle.
“Our goal is to create a public space that enhances urban vitality and promotes health, happiness, and well-being,” added Erica Desai, fellow co-founder and co-CEO.
In January 2024, NYC Parks released a request for proposals (RFP) seeking contractors to operate a seasonal outdoor activity center for up to six years at Anchorage Plaza. The RFP called for “park-appropriate” activities, including paddle ball, public art or performances, a dog run, and food and drink vendors, as 6sqft previously reported.
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