A Bridge to the Neighborhood
Under the K Bridge Park transforms a once-overlooked industrial site beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge into a dynamic, seven-acre public space along Newtown Creek. Operated by NBK Parks in partnership with New York State, the park is a living proof-of-concept for how ecological restoration, public space, and large-scale events can coexist.
Designed by Toronto-based landscape architecture firm, PUBLIC WORK, the site is defined by its monumental “el-space” as a series of expansive, industrial-scale rooms framed by the bridge’s soaring columns. These flexible zones support everything from daily recreation and volunteer stewardship to concerts, cultural programming, and seasonal events that, together, serve as both a neighborhood amenity and a destination.
Connected by a continuous “solar slice” of light that runs the length of the park, Under the K functions as both infrastructure and public space: a place where native landscapes are cultivated, community is built, and innovative models for sustaining the public realm are put into practice.
Visit Under the K’s dedicated website and event listings.
Building Under the K
Cities all over the world are looking at public space. How can it be better used, be made more equitable, and become more green, smart, and connected? One such space that often excites city planners and architects is the “El-space.”
“El-spaces” are spaces beneath and adjacent to elevated transportation such as bridges, highways, or trains. El-spaces are incredibly special places. They are being used to reclaim and transform public space with sustainability and versatility in mind. If done right, they act as meaningful connectors between neighborhoods and neighbors.
Born out of a community-driven design process that lasted two years, Under the K is unlike any other traditional park. Under the K is State DOT property, funded in part by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF) and administered, maintained, and programmed by the 503-C nonprofit, the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance.
