Community

Over the last few centuries, Brooklyn has churned out famous poets, rappers, filmmakers and dancers, including Walt Whitman, Spike Lee and Biggie Smalls. This cultural synergy is as active as ever in Brooklyn, particularly in the Brooklyn Cultural District neighboring Pacific Park. Here artists converge to make music, art, dance, and performances at 50 different cultural institutions including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BRIC Arts Media, Theater for a New Audience, and the Mark Morris Dance Group.

From the transformation of 585 acres of forest and rocky farmland in 1866, emerged a permanent green haven for Brooklyn in Prospect Park. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux , Prospect Park is home to the Prospect Park Zoo, ice skating at the Lefrak Center, 3.35 miles of running paths surrounded by nature, and the annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! performances at the Bandshell.

At Brooklyn’s Botanical Gardens, visit the cherry blossoms at the first sight of spring, the Rose garden in June, or the Shakespeare garden featuring over 80 plants mentioned in the Bard’s poems. For a more active flower enthusiast, there is daily programming for blossoming gardeners, bouquet-making classes, and activities for kids of all ages.

One of the oldest art museums in the country, the McKim, Mead and White designed Brooklyn Museum is home to a diverse and extensive collection. Whether visiting mummified personalities or the latest Brooklyn artists, the Museum has been engaging and educating art enthusiasts since 1895.

Professional sports have come back to Brooklyn at Barclays Center where the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders now play. This iconic music and entertainment destination has hosted some of the City’s premier performances including Jay Z, Beyonce, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Madonna. Walk around the corner to catch some of the best shows in New York City while rooting for our new hometown teams.

On August 15, 2015, multimedia artist Mike Perry and nine of Brooklyn's visionary artists created 10 colorful murals in one day. The installation, known as Pacific Park Arts, transformed an 820-foot construction wall on Dean Street between Vanderbilt and Carlton Avenues into works of art, enlivening the neighborhood with their creativity. The installation was part of a free block-party-style celebration hosted by Greenland Forest City Partners. Mike Perry also created a custom map of Pacific Park and the surrounding Brooklyn neighborhood including landmarks.