Fort Greene Park Service Hub: Everything You Need to Know

Fort Greene Park service guide for Brooklyn residents: address, hours, ranger contact, restrooms, parking, permits, dog off-leash rules (before 9am/after 9pm), seasonal schedule, and 311 contacts—verified from NYC Parks official sources.

Fort Greene Park is one of Brooklyn’s oldest and most beloved green spaces—a 30-acre hilltop park in the heart of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. Whether you’re bringing a dog before 9am, planning a birthday picnic, or looking for ranger-led nature programs, this guide covers every service you need to make the most of the park.

Address & Entrances

Fort Greene Park is bounded by Myrtle Avenue (north), DeKalb Avenue (south), Washington Park Street (east), and St. Edwards Street (west), Brooklyn, NY 11205.

Main pedestrian entrances are at the corners of Myrtle Ave & Washington Park, DeKalb Ave & Washington Park, and Myrtle Ave & St. Edwards St. The Visitors Center entrance is near the top of the hill off Washington Park Street.

Park Hours

Fort Greene Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Visitors Center at the top of the hill is open seven days a week, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (hours extend later seasonally).

Ranger Contact & Visitors Center

A full-time Urban Park Ranger is stationed at the Visitors Center at the crest of the hill. Rangers host free family-friendly nature and history programming, including Friday “Meet the Rangers” sessions and periodic tours of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument.

Visitors Center: (718) 722-3218
Park Director (David Barker): david.barker@parks.nyc.gov
Fort Greene Park Conservancy: info@fortgreenepark.org | (201) 614-3643
Maintenance / non-emergency issues: Call 311 or nyc.gov/311

Restrooms

Two restroom locations in Fort Greene Park:

Visitors Center restrooms — top of the hill, open during Visitors Center hours (8:00 am–4:00 pm). Filtered water station also available.
Myrtle/St. Edwards playground restrooms — northeast corner of the park near the Myrtle Ave entrance at St. Edwards St. Includes accessible restrooms.

Outside Visitors Center hours, the playground restroom is your best option. Plan ahead for early morning or evening visits.

Parking

Fort Greene Park has no on-site parking lot. Street parking is available on Myrtle Avenue, DeKalb Avenue, Washington Park Street, and St. Edwards Street. Check posted street cleaning signs. Paid garages are available near Flatbush Avenue and Downtown Brooklyn, roughly a 10-minute walk.

By subway: B, D, N, Q, R to DeKalb Ave (5-minute walk north to the park). C to Lafayette Ave (one block south). G to Fulton St (10-minute walk west).

Permits: Events & Reservations

Any gathering of 20 or more people—or any event reserving a specific area—requires a NYC Parks Special Event Permit.

How to Apply

Apply online at nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/parks
Non-refundable fee: $25
Minimum lead time: 30 days (apply earlier during high season May–September)
Not accepted within 21 days of the event date
No permits issued on Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day proper
Fundraising or paid ticketed events are not permitted in Fort Greene Park

Event Size Thresholds

20–100 attendees: Standard borough permit
100–500 attendees: Standard borough permit, additional documentation may be required
500+ attendees: NYC Parks Citywide Special Events Office required; insurance, FDNY/NYPD permits, private clean-up crew required

Amplified Sound

Any sound system louder than a small portable speaker requires a separate Amplified Sound Permit. Approved for public-facing events only—not for birthday parties, private BBQs, or company picnics. Contact the Brooklyn Permit Office at (718) 965-6993.

Tennis Court Reservations

From the first Sunday of April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving, playing tennis at Fort Greene requires an NYC Parks tennis permit. Court scheduling is managed through the Fort Greene Tennis Association signup system.

BBQ & Picnic Areas

Barbecues are permitted along Myrtle Avenue between St. Edwards Street and North Portland Avenue. Bring your own grill. Picnic blankets are welcome throughout the park except in playgrounds and courts. No permit needed for groups under 20.

Dog Rules & Off-Leash Hours

Fort Greene Park does not have a dedicated fenced dog run. Due to the park’s historic landmark status, a fenced dog run cannot be installed under current NYC Parks requirements. All off-leash activity happens on open lawn areas during permitted hours.

Off-Leash Hours (Year-Round)

Morning: Park opening until 9:00 am
Evening: 9:00 pm until park closing

Between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm, all dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet. $100 fine for leash violations during on-leash hours.

Dog Rules

Pick up after your dog—required by law ($1,000 fine)
Dogs not permitted in playgrounds or tennis courts
No digging in garden beds or lawns; fill holes with soil from the park’s soil boxes
Do not bring dogs in heat to the park, even on-leash
Stay within sight of your off-leash dog at all times
Carry proof of current rabies vaccination and NYC dog license

Seasonal Schedule

Spring (April–May): South half of Central Lawn closed early April to late May for reseeding. Outdoor programs and volunteer days resume in March.
Summer (June–August): Peak programming season. Visitor Center open later seasonally. Apply for permits well in advance.
Fall (September–November): West Lawn closed late September to mid-November. Myrtle Lawn closed mid-October to late November.
Winter (December–February): Visitor Center open 8am–4pm. Off-leash hours apply year-round. Volunteer events include Mulchfest.

Tennis permits are valid from the first Sunday of April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Accessibility

Fort Greene Park has paved pathways throughout, including accessible routes to the Visitors Center and Prison Ship Martyrs Monument area. The Myrtle/St. Edwards playground includes accessible restrooms and accessible play elements. The main ramp approach from Washington Park Street is the most accessible route to the hilltop. Report accessibility issues by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/311.

Reporting Issues: 311 & Parks Contacts

Maintenance, broken equipment, safety: Call 311 or nyc.gov/311
Park Director: david.barker@parks.nyc.gov
Fort Greene Park Conservancy: info@fortgreenepark.org | (201) 614-3643
Visitors Center & Rangers: (718) 722-3218
Brooklyn Permit Office: (718) 965-6993

Fort Greene Park Conservancy

The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is the nonprofit partner that maintains, programs, and advocates for the park alongside NYC Parks. All Conservancy-led programs are free. Follow @fortgreenepark on Instagram for day-of updates and park news.