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Special Event Permits

Reserve a court for the day, celebrate a birthday, or gather for a corporate retreat at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

A special event permit is required for any group activity involving more than 20 people or a group activity involving less than 20 people for which specific space within the Park is requested to be reserved, casual Park use does not require a permit.

If you would like to propose a large-scale public event or public art installation, see below. Please note that private events, classes, or lessons where participation, tickets, or entrance fees are collected require special permissions.

Application Process

Special event permits are required for the following:

  • Any activity involving more than 20 people at one time. This includes school trips, picnics, and field days.
  • Any activity for which specific space within the Park (i.e. a sports field or court) is requested to be reserved, including for groups with less than 20 people at one time.
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Your event is not confirmed until you have received a permit directly from Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Please review the permit terms and conditions here.

  • Finding a Date

      • Permits are not issued for holidays or holiday weekends, including Friday.
      • Applications must be submitted at least 21 days prior to your requested event date.
      • Dates cannot be confirmed or held before an application is submitted. Permits are granted on a first come, first served basis. If the date or location you applied for is already reserved, we will work with you to find the next best alternative.
  • Use of Furniture, Decorations, and Prohibited Activities

      • Permits are issued for up to 75 people and 4 hours maximum. Permits do not grant exclusive access to park space. Public access must be available at all times.
      • Commercial activity in the Park is prohibited unless specifically authorized in a permit, and authorization is rare. Absent specific authorization, a permit does not allow an event holder to charge a fee or require a donation to participate in or attend the event.
      • Furniture (tables, chairs, tents, etc), personal grills, sternos, and amplified sound are not allowed to be used in the Park. Permits allow for the use of blankets and coolers only.
      • Chalk, confetti, powders, glitter, balloons, flower petals (real or fake), candles, or any other similar substance cannot be used in the Park. These substances are difficult to manage when blown into plant beds, water features, or paths. These products can blend with the soil or water and the dyes or chemical makeup of these products may have long-term harmful effects on the Park’s ecosystem.
      • Alcohol cannot be served, consumed, or brought into Brooklyn Bridge Park. Alcohol is available for purchase at some Park concessions, but must be consumed within that concession location.
  • Insurance Requirements

      All permit applicants who are required to provide insurance must provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with the following language in the ‘Description of Operations’ box and the following address as the certificate holder. If you fail to provide a COI with the language below, we will not issue your permit.

      Description of Operations text (“permittee” is your entity name):

      “permittee” is also insured under the described policy. The following are included as additional insureds, including with respect to claims arising out of Permittee’s operations: Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation d/b/a Brooklyn Bridge Park, the City of New York, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development, the State of New York, and their respective officers, officials, agents, members, directors, and employees, with coverage at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 26.

      Certificate Holder text:
      Brooklyn Bridge Park
      334 Furman Street
      Brooklyn, NY 11201

  • Events at the Pier 2 Roller Rink

      To book a trip to the Pier 2 roller rink, please visit their website.

  • Events at Jane's Carousel

      To book a trip to Jane’s Carousel, please visit their website.

  • Events at St. Ann’s Warehouse

      Use of the Studio at St. Ann’s Warehouse, please visit their website

Due to the nature of individual events, not all details can be addressed here. For all other questions about your special event, please submit your permit application for review.

School Trips or Field Days

  • School trips and field days are allowed for a maximum group size of 200 with 1 adult present for every 10 children.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park does not have parking for school busses. Please plan for drop off and pick up only.
  • Insurance is required for schools outside of the New York City public school system.
  • Waiver Codes:

Public, Ticketed, or Marketing Events

  • For large scale events, please use the contact us form below to submit a brief event proposal.
  • Total event fees will be determined after your application and proposal have been submitted and reviewed by park staff.
  • Submitting an application or event proposal does not guarantee approval. Your event is not officially confirmed until you have received a permit directly from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
  • All marketing, signage, advertising, and outreach for events must be approved by park staff prior to public release. Do not advertise events at Brooklyn Bridge Park without direct approval from Park staff.

FAQs

  • Are there public restrooms?

  • Can I bring or consume alcohol in Brooklyn Bridge Park?

      Alcohol cannot be brought into Brooklyn Bridge Park. Alcohol is available for purchase at some Park concessions, but must be consumed within that concession location.

  • Can I fly a drone?

      No, drones are not permitted in the Park.

  • Can I pitch a tent or hang a hammock?

      No, furniture of any kind is not allowed in Brooklyn Bridge Park. These items can damage trees or lawns. We have installed or set out furniture for your use and enjoyment at multiple locations throughout the Park.

  • Can I play music in Brooklyn Bridge Park?

      Amplified sound is not allowed in the Park. Playing music from a radio or speaker or similar is not allowed. Enjoy the sounds of the Park and the nature that surrounds the area while be respectful of those around you.

  • Is there parking?

      Parking near Brooklyn Bridge Park is very limited. We recommend taking public transportation, biking, or walking to the Park. BBP is accessible by bus, subway and ferry.

      There are limited metered parking spaces in a public parking lot on Furman Street near Pier 2. The parking spaces are metered for both a minimum and a maximum of three hours. Please note that parking on the Loop Road (between Pier 5 and Pier 6) is not allowed, it is a drop off space only.

      There are two paid parking lots in the Park. A parking garage is located near Pier 6, accessible on the south side of 360 Furman Street. A parking garage operated by LAZ is located near Pier 1, accessible on the south side of 90 Furman Street (under Squibb Bridge).

       

  • Can I get a permit for or reserve picnic tables or grilling areas?

      No, picnic tables and grilling areas are on a first come, first serve basis. When the grilling area is busy, we ask that grills are only used for one hour at a time.

  • Can I have my wedding in Brooklyn Bridge Park?

      Yes, but only wedding ceremonies are allowed to take place, receptions are not allowed. Please submit an application for a wedding ceremonies permit. Wedding ceremonies can only be held at Pier 1 Granite Prospect; Empire Fulton Ferry boardwalk; and at Main Street Pebble Beach. Please see the Wedding Ceremony Permit webpage for more information.

  • Can I host an event or activity?

      To host an event or an activity in Brooklyn Bridge Park you must have an approved permit from Brooklyn Bridge Park. This process insures that any given area of the Park is not over crowded and that organizations are properly supported and insured. If you would like to host an event or activity in the Park, please review the conditions for a special events permit.

      Commercial activity in the Park is prohibited unless specifically authorized in a permit, and authorization is rare. Absent specific authorization, a permit does not allow an event holder to charge a fee or require a donation to participate in or attend the event.

  • Can you confirm or hold a date before I submit an application?

      No, dates cannot be confirmed or held before an application is submitted. Permits are granted on a first come, first served basis. Applications that are submitted are given preference for a date or location. We advise that you submit your application as soon as possible. If the date or location you applied for is already reserved, we will work with you to find the next best alternative.

  • Can I set-up party decorations like streamers, balloons, signs, furniture or similar?

      Any event decorations, set-up, installations, or similar requires authorization as part of an approved permit from Brooklyn Bridge Park.

      Candles, electric-powered signs, chalk, confetti, powders, glitter, balloons, flower petals (real or fake), or any other similar substance cannot be used in the Park. These substances are difficult to manage when blown into plant beds, water features, or paths. These products can blend with the soil or water and the dyes or chemical makeup of these products may have long-term harmful effects on the Park’s ecosystem.

      Furniture of any kind cannot be brought into Brooklyn Bridge Park. These items can damage trees or lawns. If you would like to use tables, chairs, or benches please use the furniture that is installed and managed by Brooklyn Bridge Park available at multiple picnic areas in the Park.

  • Do I need a permit to take photos?

      Permits are required for commercial photo shoots, or for groups larger than 20 people. Learn more about the permitting process on the permits page.

  • How do I submit a public art proposal?

      Please submit a proposal that outlines your project (e.g. renderings, height, weight, length of installation, proposed location, security or electrical needs, etc.) to info@bbp.nyc

  • When do I need a permit?

      Permits must be obtained prior to undertaking regulated activities as defined in the Park Rules and Regulations.

      Generally, permits are required if you want to (this list is not exclusive or exhaustive):

      • bring a group larger than 20 people into the Park;
      • host a wedding ceremony;
      • film or photograph for professional or commercial purposes;
      • rent access to a sports fields or courts

Contact Permits Department

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