Marine Park is Brooklyn’s largest park — 798 acres including underwater land, with 530 acres of protected grassland and salt marsh — yet most New Yorkers outside the south Brooklyn neighborhood barely know it exists. If you want a real wilderness experience inside city limits without the Prospect Park crowds, this is the resident’s hub for getting in, parking, walking the trails, permitting a field, and running a dog responsibly. Bookmark this page; it is the practical-information hub for one of the most underused parks in NYC.
At a glance: Marine Park, Brooklyn
- Boundaries: Avenue U, Stuart Street, Fillmore Avenue, and East 33rd Street, Brooklyn
- Size: 798 acres total (530 acres of grassland and salt marsh on land); Brooklyn’s largest park
- Designation: Forever Wild preserve — the salt marsh is permanently protected natural area
- Park hours: Open daily, 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (standard NYC Parks hours unless posted otherwise)
- Salt Marsh Nature Center: East 33rd Street & Avenue U — call (718) 421-2021 for current open days and hours before you visit
- Carmine Carro Community Center: Fillmore Avenue side — call (718) 336-0275 for programming and hours
- Issue reporting: NYC 311 (dial 311 or visit nyc.gov/311) for downed trees, broken benches, sanitation, or unleashed-dog complaints
How to get there and where to park
Marine Park sits in southeast Brooklyn between Marine Park (the neighborhood), Mill Basin, and Gerritsen Beach. The park’s primary entrances are along Avenue U at the north, Fillmore Avenue at the northwest near the Carmine Carro Community Center, East 33rd Street at the Salt Marsh Nature Center, and along Stuart Street at the eastern edge.
Driving: The park is reachable via Flatbush Avenue south to Avenue U, or Belt Parkway exits onto Flatbush Avenue. Free street parking is generally available along Avenue U, Fillmore Avenue, Burnett Street, and the residential streets surrounding the park. There is no dedicated NYC Parks parking lot, so plan for street parking and read posted alternate-side rules carefully.
Public transit: The B3 (Avenue U) and B41 (Flatbush Avenue) buses serve the park’s perimeter. The closest subway is the Q line at Avenue U or Kings Highway, then a 15–20 minute walk or a quick bus transfer.
Cycling: The Belt Parkway Greenway connects to the park’s southern edge, and the Avenue U bike lane runs to the northern boundary. Bicycle racks are available near the Nature Center and Community Center.
Restrooms and reliability
Public restrooms are available at the Carmine Carro Community Center on Fillmore Avenue during posted operating hours, and seasonally at the Salt Marsh Nature Center on East 33rd Street near Avenue U. Restrooms inside playground zones operate seasonally — typically April through October — and may be closed during cold months. If you are walking the long perimeter loop with kids, plan a center-of-trip stop at one of these two facilities. Call ahead before relying on either restroom on a weekday during the off-season.
Permits: fields, courts, BBQ, and large groups
Marine Park hosts a wide range of permitted activities — and the Parks Department requires permits for most of them.
- Field and court permits (cricket fields, baseball diamonds, bocce courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, handball courts): required for organized group play. Apply through the NYC Parks Field and Court Permit Request system at nycgovparks.org/permits.
- Special event and large group gatherings (parties of 20+, picnics with amplified sound, organized runs/walks): apply through the NYC Parks Special Events permit page well in advance — typically 21–30 days before the event.
- Filming or commercial photography: handled by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), not the Parks Department directly.
- BBQ and grilling: only permitted in designated barbecue areas. Marine Park does not have widely advertised dedicated BBQ zones — confirm with NYC Parks before bringing a grill.
Each player or group using a field or court must possess a current permit. Showing up without one risks being asked to leave by Park Enforcement Patrol.
Dog rules and off-leash hours
NYC Parks rules apply throughout Marine Park:
- Leash: Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, except in designated dog runs and during off-leash hours in eligible open areas.
- Off-leash hours (citywide where permitted): from park opening until 9:00 a.m., and from 9:00 p.m. until park closing. Outside those windows, all dogs must be leashed.
- Restricted zones: Dogs are prohibited inside playgrounds, on ball fields, on basketball/handball/tennis courts, and in any pool, fountain, or designated bathing area.
- Salt marsh and Forever Wild zones: Keep dogs on leash and on the trail to protect ground-nesting birds and fragile vegetation.
- Pick up after your dog — waste containers are placed throughout the park.
To report an unleashed dog or a dog-bite incident, call 311 or file a complaint through nyc.gov/311. Park Enforcement Patrol can issue summonses.
Trails, salt marsh, and what to actually do here
Marine Park’s standout feature is its Salt Marsh Nature Trail, which loops the protected wetland on the east side of the park. The trail is mostly flat, accessible, and roughly 1.5 miles depending on which spurs you take. Watch for migratory shorebirds, ospreys, and — in spring and fall — surprising songbird diversity. The trail is open dawn to dusk.
Other amenities include cricket fields, baseball diamonds, bocce courts, a golf course (managed separately), playgrounds (including the accessible PS 278 Playground), bike greenways, and a canoe/kayak launch at Gerritsen Inlet. The Nature Center hosts free Urban Park Ranger programming year-round.
Accessibility
The Carmine Carro Community Center is fully accessible. The Salt Marsh Nature Trail is largely flat and accessible at its main entrance and observation platforms, though some side spurs onto unpaved natural surfaces are not. PS 278 Playground includes accessible play elements: ground-level features, ramps, mobility transfer systems, and accessible swings for children under 5. NYC Parks has placed accessible-entrance signage at all parks to direct visitors with disabilities to the nearest accessible entry point.
Seasonal schedule and what changes through the year
The park itself stays open year-round, but several services shift seasonally:
- Spring (March–May): Salt marsh wakes up, migratory birds peak, fields open for permit play, Nature Center programming ramps up.
- Summer (June–August): Full recreational programming, all playgrounds and restrooms operational, Urban Park Rangers run weekly events.
- Fall (September–November): Migratory bird viewing returns, foliage along the upland trails, lighter crowds.
- Winter (December–February): Quiet season, salt marsh trail still open, Nature Center hours reduced (call before visiting), seasonal restrooms typically closed.
Contact and ranger services
- NYC Parks general inquiries: Contact through nycgovparks.org/contact-parks
- Salt Marsh Nature Center / Urban Park Rangers (Brooklyn): (718) 421-2021
- Carmine Carro Community Center: (718) 336-0275
- NYC 311 — for any park condition issue, sanitation, or dog complaint
- Park Enforcement Patrol — request via 311 for in-park enforcement issues
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of Marine Park, Brooklyn?
Marine Park is bounded by Avenue U, Stuart Street, Fillmore Avenue, and East 33rd Street in Brooklyn. The Salt Marsh Nature Center is located at East 33rd Street and Avenue U. The Carmine Carro Community Center is on Fillmore Avenue.
How big is Marine Park?
Marine Park covers 798 acres including underwater area, with approximately 530 acres of protected grassland and salt marsh on land. It is Brooklyn’s largest park.
Do I need a permit to play on the fields at Marine Park?
Yes. Each group of players using a field or court at Marine Park must purchase and possess a permit. Apply at nycgovparks.org/permits through the Field and Court Permit Request system.
What are the off-leash dog hours at Marine Park?
Off-leash hours run from park opening until 9:00 a.m. and from 9:00 p.m. until park closing, citywide where designated. Outside those windows, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Is there parking at Marine Park?
There is no dedicated NYC Parks parking lot. Free street parking is available along Avenue U, Fillmore Avenue, Burnett Street, and surrounding residential streets. Read alternate-side parking signs carefully.
How do I report a problem at Marine Park?
Call NYC 311 or visit nyc.gov/311 to report sanitation issues, broken benches, downed trees, unleashed dogs, or other park condition problems.
Is Marine Park accessible?
Yes. The Carmine Carro Community Center and the main Salt Marsh Nature Trail entrance are accessible, and PS 278 Playground includes accessible play elements. Accessible-entrance signage is posted at park entries.
Where is the Salt Marsh Nature Center?
The Salt Marsh Nature Center sits at East 33rd Street and Avenue U on the eastern edge of Marine Park. Call (718) 421-2021 for current open days and hours before visiting.
