Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park)

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Address
90 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Latitude 40.721828
Longitude -73.960258

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Pet Policy

We welcome your dogs to the MPJ Dog Run on Kent Avenue and North 9th Street. Dogs are not permitted in any other area of the park. Please help us by keeping your furry friends limited to the Dog Run.

Park Access

Entrance to Marsha P. Johnson State Park is free and all public programming and amenities are free of charge! There is no public parking inside of the park. The Park is accessible by foot, bicycle, and public transportation, and there is street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.

Park Use Permits

Park Use permits are required for the following:

- Film and photoshoots of any size

- Reserving a picnic area

- Gatherings of 10 or more people

- Hosting an event of any size, including but not limited to birthday parties, catered picnics, classes, engagements, and wedding ceremonies 

Park Rules

Park Rules: 1. Please help us keep the park clean by disposing of litter in refuse cans only. 2. Cyclists, please defer to pedestrians and walk your bike if the park is crowded. 3. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the park. 4. Dogs are allowed in the Dog Run only. 5. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed. 6. Barbecues are permitted on the concrete slabs only. Please only use the hot coal cans for disposal of charcoal. 7. For your safety, swimming and wading are not permitted. 8. Respect our neighbors by refraining from playing loud music. 9. To protect local wildlife, balloons, confetti and kites are not permitted in the park.

On February 1, 2020, the park was renamed in honor of Marsha P Johnson, a transgender woman of color who was a pioneer of the LGBTQ civil rights movement and a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising.

Marsha P. Johnson State Park is a seven-acre waterfront park located along the East River in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. It offers visitors a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline, a delightful play area, and the green space provides many opportunities for recreation and relaxation. As the site of a 19th century shipping dock, visitors to East River may also discover unique historical remnants like old cobblestone streets and railroad tracks embedded in concrete. Historic interpretive signs are provided for your convenience. The park preserves and protects the many natural and historical resources along this beautiful city waterfront. The park is free and open to the public.

In addition to the great views of the East River and Manhattan, the park offers native meadow plantings among the historic rail yard remnants; passive recreation; picnicking and barbecues.

Pet Policy: We welcome your dogs to the MPJ Dog Run on Kent Avenue and North 9th Street. Dogs are not permitted in any other area of the park. Please help us by keeping your furry friends limited to the Dog Run.

Hours of Operation

  • Open 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m daily.
  • Park House Classroom is open Wednesdays & Saturdays from 10:00am-12:00pm & 1:30pm-4:30pm. 
    See Marsha P. Johnson State Park Eventbrite page below for more information on our programming.

Fees & Rates

Entrance to Marsha P. Johnson State Park is free and all public programming and amenities are free of charge. 


  • Park Use Permits
  • Park Use Permits are required for the following:
    - Film and photoshoots of any size 
    - Reserving a picnic area 
    - Gatherings of 10 or more people
    - Hosting an event of any size, including but not limited to birthday parties, catered picnics, classes, engagements, and wedding ceremonies  

    For more information about Film/Photoshoot and Event Permitting, please contact Soleyl Ovalle at Soleyl.Ovalle@parks.ny.gov or call 212-866-3100.
Sat 16 Nov
Green Guardians
Saturday, November 16, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park)
Show some love to our park! Help us take care of our pollinator garden to help protect the biodiversity of the park! Ages 8 and up. Click here to register.
Registration: Required
Wed 27 Nov
Autumn Tales
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park)
Learn about fall by listening to some stories read by our educators. Then celebrate the changing season by making some leaf art! Ages 10 and under. Click here to register.
Registration: Required
Sat 07 Dec
Stargazing
Saturday, December 7, 2024 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park)
Even though there's so much manmade light in NYC, the stars are readily visible —especially in winter. Learn about the winter constellations and gaze at the night sky with us! Click here to register.
Registration: Required
Fri 27 Dec
Space Storytime
Friday, December 27, 2024 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park)
Explore space with our educators through a story and an experiment. Then, build a spacecraft! Click here to register.
Registration: Required

Amenities Information