Brownsville Playground

Hegeman Ave., Linden Blvd. bet. Powell St. and Mother Gaston Blvd.

Brooklyn

Directions via Google Maps

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

The Brownsville Recreation Center takes its name from the neighborhood that it serves. Brownsville, bounded by Eastern Parkway, Van Sinderen Avenue to the east, Linden Boulevard to the south, and Rockaway Parkway to the west, was first developed in 1865 by Charles S. Brown. Brown purchased a section of farm and meadowland and built 250 frame houses, hoping to lure the working class from lower Manhattan and western sections of Brooklyn to his modestly priced homes. Brown was certain that he would not be able to convince the bourgeoisie to relocate in “Brownsville,” as the area was to be called, because it was downwind of the odors from the marshes and bone-boiling factories of Jamaica Bay.

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No natural areas present at this site.

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Know Before You Go

Indoor Pools
Brownsville Recreation Center Pool
The indoor pool is closed at this location.
Recreation Centers
Brownsville Recreation Center
Brownsville Recreation Center is open with limited access due to construction. The Golden Age side of the building is open, while the main side of the building is closed. There will be no access to the indoor pool and gymnasium at this time. Visit our Capital Tracker page for updates on this project.