Let the Sunshine In: How BCS Creates Quality Outdoor Time For Brooklynites

Access to public space is extremely important to our well-being. Studies have shown that engaging in outdoor physical activity and social interaction increases brain activity, boosts self-esteem, and reduces stress, particularly when individuals are in nature. In fact, spending quality time outdoors not only lowers anxiety levels but can even have a genetic effect, thus impacting future generations.

While nearly 85% of New Yorkers live within walking distance of a park, this does not necessarily mean that they are reaping the benefits of outdoor activities. In low-income areas, in particular, neighborhood parks and other recreational spaces often lack adequate funding, proper maintenance, and safety measures. 

In outreach conducted by NYC’s Department of Health, participants throughout the city expressed concerns about the availability of green and recreational spaces. “It’s not enough that there are structures like parks and sidewalks,” said one resident who was interviewed. “There needs to be upkeep, it needs to be clean for people to actually want to access the parks and sidewalks to keep their health maintained.”

An Independent Budget Office (IBO) report found that lower-income Brooklyn neighborhoods, such as Bensonhurst and Borough Park, have less than five square feet of park space per person, whereas more affluent areas, like Park Slope and Greenpoint, have over 100. Furthermore, outdoor spaces in high-income areas of the city do not face the same challenges of upkeep as those in areas with higher poverty rates and/or higher density.

“In order to make our city work for all of us, we have to be clear about the ways that our public space has not worked for far too many New Yorkers for far too long,” said Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at Transportation Alternatives. “Decades of planning and policies have led to severe environmental and public health abuses of Black and brown communities across our city.”

BCS Clubhouse members at Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farms, 2023

NYC’s leaders have made efforts in recent years to make outdoor activity more accessible to all New Yorkers, creating new programs such as the Community Park Initiative (CPI) and Parks Without Borders (PWB) and investing large sums of money into park cleanup. While these actions are a step in the right direction, there is still much to be done around the city. 

Data released last year showed that almost half of NYC’s population lives in “environmental justice areas,” which are areas experiencing disproportionate environmental issues due to social inequalities. Low-income neighborhoods—especially those that are majority people of color—experience more pollution and are more likely to see their outdoor spaces tainted by waste. 

BCS is committed to giving Brooklynites opportunities to spend quality time outdoors, especially those living in areas that lack adequate public spaces. Pam Guigli, director of the BCS Greater Heights Clubhouse, notes that outdoor activities are a vital part of the Clubhouse’s programming due to their significant impact on members’ mental health. 

Greater Heights team-building day at Saratoga Park, 2021

“We like to take advantage of the surrounding parks, like Saratoga Park and Herbert Von King, where we plan barbecues and visits,” Guigli says. Clubhouse members are also invited to participate in a walking group, monthly softball games, and gardening at the nearby Cooper Street Community Garden. 

This summer, the Clubhouse will treat members to beach days at Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and Rockaway Beach. The staff is also planning a fishing trip to the Canarsie Pier and a special field trip to the Amboy Community Garden World Rhythm Festival in August.

Other BCS programs are equally committed to getting Brooklynites outside. “I believe people find learning more interactive when doing activities outdoors,” says Bryan Guevara, director of the Prospect Plaza Community Center. Prospect Plaza itself provides Brownsville families with numerous recreational opportunities and facilities, including a playground and basketball courts. There are also green spaces and benches outside the building where members can meet up, socialize, or host major events. 

Guevara says he hopes to take community members to the Queens Night Market during the warmer months this year, a large, family-friendly open-air night market featuring food and art vendors. Furthermore, he plans to encourage members to become more involved in local gardening initiatives.   

“Brooklyn has plenty of community gardens where you can grow your own veggies and connect with like-minded people,” Guevara says. “These could be a great place for our small business entrepreneurs to connect with the community.” 

Prospect Plaza playground opening, 2019

BCS has also integrated the outdoors into cross-program initiatives such as our Step Up for Brooklyn Walkathon, which brings together BCS staff, program members, and volunteers in beautiful Prospect Park. We also participate in the annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest each August, encouraging our community to spend the day soaking up the sun and waves. 

New York City’s inequity in accessible outdoor spaces and activities is a problem that BCS cannot solve alone; however, we are proud of the strides we have made to help Brooklynites get active and spend quality time in nature. Our efforts, combined with initiatives by other nonprofits around the city, are paving the way for a more inclusive and welcoming approach to urban design. 

GrowNYC, for example, has established over 170 community gardens throughout the city, many of which are located in public housing developments, churches, daycares, and senior centers. Meanwhile, the city’s Design Trust for Public Space transforms NYC’s public spaces into communal dining rooms with their Public Space Potlucks series and has partnered with CUNY to help students from underrepresented backgrounds pursue careers in urban planning, design, and preservation.

Together, we can transform the way New Yorkers connect with each other and the natural world.