Free Community Boating At Bush Terminal Park

SUNSET PARK – A community rowing and paddling program kicks off at Bush Terminal Park on Saturday, providing locals access to the water while evaluating the possibility of creating a permanent public boating program and community boathouse in Sunset Park.

The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club teamed up with Billion Oyster Project and Sunset Spark to host four free rowing sessions this summer at Bush Terminal Park’s outer lagoon, a protected area that makes for safe rowing conditions for boaters of all levels.

Canoes and kayaks will be available for participants to paddle as well as a 14-foot wooden dory built by 20 students from three Sunset Park public schools. The all-female middle school students learned how to build the watercraft as part of the Brooklyn Oyster Dory Program, a 12-week afterschool program led by Brooklyn Boatworks and the New York Harbor School with support from Billion Oyster Project, Sunset Spark, and Industry City. Along with offering free rides, the dory will be used to support field-science education and oyster restoration in New York Harbor.

The four free public boating sessions will take place at Bush Terminal Park (at the end of 43rd Street) on:

Saturday, July 21, 3pm to 6pm—Cancelled due to rain!
Saturday, August 4, 2pm to 6pm
Thursday, August 9, 3pm to 7pm
Thursday, August 23, 3pm to 7pm