Work on the bridge connecting Squibb Park to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier One is underway, but instead of a summer opening, it is now scheduled to be completed by the fall.

The bridge’s design comes from MacArthur Genius Award winning engineer, Ted Zoli, and uses timber as its main material.

The 396-foot-long bridge will specifically be made with Robinia pseudoacacia, or black locust, which is a tree found widely in the Southeast and also in mid-Atlantic and Northeast forests.

It will be supported by concrete pillars and suspended by steel cables.

The bridge is set to “zig-zag” through a small thicket of oaks, between buildings and will be elevated 30 feet over Furman Street.

In addition to a pool, and a soccer field at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Picnic Peninsula is also taking shape. The vision of transforming the space into a vibrant area containing picnic tables, barbecues, a concession, and play equipment, will be coming to fruition in the near future.

“The Pier 5 Picnic Peninsula is visibly taking shape outside our windows. Meanwhile, the Squibb Park Bridge is also being constructed off-site, ensuring that we will have improved access to the park from Brooklyn Heights,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. “We are thrilled to see the progress on these unique amenities, and look forward to opening both to the public in the late fall.”

(Lisa A. Fraser)