Calvert Vaux Park - Brooklyn, NY
Calvert Vaux Park: Pet-Friendly Open Space in Brooklyn, NY
Calvert Vaux Park, located at the intersection of Bay 44th St. and Hunter Ave in Brooklyn, NY, offers expansive fields and waterfront trails perfect for families, sports enthusiasts, and dog owners looking for a relaxing day out. Known for its sizable athletic fields and scenic riverfront views, this park provides plenty of open space where locals enjoy people and dog watching, off-leash hours in the meadow during mornings and evenings, and beautiful walking paths along the waterfront. While the park is rich in history and named after the renowned landscape architect Calvert Vaux, it’s especially valued in the community as a dog-friendly park in Brooklyn, NY, with plenty of areas where your four-legged friends can enjoy nature, play, and explore.
The park stands out with its pet-friendly trails, easy parking availability, and natural shade from surrounding trees (though sections have had some tree loss). While maintenance and cleanliness can fluctuate, it remains a popular local spot to walk or relax with your dog. Be aware, however, that amenities like trash bins and grooming can sometimes be lacking, especially during busy periods.
FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the meadow during designated hours in the mornings and evenings.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is some natural shade from trees, although some areas have fewer trees due to recent removals.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are benches and picnic areas available throughout the park for visitors to relax.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is a large parking lot, which makes parking relatively easy in all seasons.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Calvert Vaux Park features waterfront trails and open paths that are dog-friendly for both walking and light hiking.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park features playgrounds and recreational activities for kids, making it great for families.
- Is public transportation available to the park? Yes, the park is accessible by subway and bus, making it convenient for visitors throughout Brooklyn.
Reviews
Please send NYSDOT / Park maintenance team as tires are being blown daily because of this exposed rebar
Please send NYSDOT / Park maintenance team as tires are being blown daily because of this exposed rebar
Very cool place! It’s been cleaned up lately. Made more room to play sports.
Great place to spend a weekend with the family, not only to play ball, but also to enjoy the nature.
Very cool place! It’s been cleaned up lately. Made more room to play sports.
Great place to spend a weekend with the family, not only to play ball, but also to enjoy the nature.
The park is named after famous landscape architect Calvert Vaux (co-designed Central and Prospect Parks along with Olmsted brothers firm). It was built partially on top of landfill debris excavated during construction of Verazzano bridge. Waterfront trails are major attraction of the park for me. You can see the hulls of shipwrecks left from the time when small shipyards dotted shores of Coney Island creek. The park is home to many athletic fields. One of the downsides my winter walk was sights of trash along the trails and shore paths. That’s typical of many other shore parks in NYC with high population density where large slice of urban population feels entitled to leave garbage after themselves. There is a large parking lot so parking is relatively easy in all seasons.
The park is named after famous landscape architect Calvert Vaux (co-designed Central and Prospect Parks along with Olmsted brothers firm). It was built partially on top of landfill debris excavated during construction of Verazzano bridge. Waterfront trails are major attraction of the park for me. You can see the hulls of shipwrecks left from the time when small shipyards dotted shores of Coney Island creek. The park is home to many athletic fields. One of the downsides my winter walk was sights of trash along the trails and shore paths. That’s typical of many other shore parks in NYC with high population density where large slice of urban population feels entitled to leave garbage after themselves. There is a large parking lot so parking is relatively easy in all seasons.
Dear City Park Management, WHAT DID YOU DO!?! Why did you have to cut so many perfectly healthy grown trees?!? I am literally crying looking at the previously gorgeous naturally picturesque park looking so bare now! The growing trash you could care a little about – it is still there piling up at the most scenic spots, but someone thought the trees got to go! I’m speechless. Those trees don’t take a couple of years to grow they need decades to become real, strong, and healthy. I want to know WHY!?!
UPDATE a year later:
THEY CUT MORE TREES, THE GARBAGE IS STILL THERE.
Dear City Park Management, WHAT DID YOU DO!?! Why did you have to cut so many perfectly healthy grown trees?!? I am literally crying looking at the previously gorgeous naturally picturesque park looking so bare now! The growing trash you could care a little about – it is still there piling up at the most scenic spots, but someone thought the trees got to go! I’m speechless. Those trees don’t take a couple of years to grow they need decades to become real, strong, and healthy. I want to know WHY!?!
UPDATE a year later:
THEY CUT MORE TREES, THE GARBAGE IS STILL THERE.
on a state of May 16th of 2024-
This is my first time in this park and compared to other parks in Brooklyn this is probably the most depressing.
Apparently the head of Brooklyn does not have money to spend on staff and the park.
There are no garbage cans. And if there are, they are full of garbage and they have not been removed for a long time, the grass has not been cut, the asphalt has fallen apart, a very sad sight, I did not expect to see this!
on a state of May 16th of 2024-
This is my first time in this park and compared to other parks in Brooklyn this is probably the most depressing.
Apparently the head of Brooklyn does not have money to spend on staff and the park.
There are no garbage cans. And if there are, they are full of garbage and they have not been removed for a long time, the grass has not been cut, the asphalt has fallen apart, a very sad sight, I did not expect to see this!