The Louis Valentino Jr Park-and-Pier in Red Hook offers the closest front-facing view of the Statue of Liberty's towering countenance from anywhere on land in New York.
The verdant waterfront park is named in memory of Brooklyn native, Louis Valentino Jr. Valentino devoted his life to protecting New York inhabitants as a member of the New York City Fire Department. He passed on February 5, 1996 while searching for injured firefighters in a three alarm fire.
The area combines a lovely grass field with a pier that offers fantastic panoramic views of the statue, Manhattan Harbor, and the Manhattan skyline. The waterfront also overlooks the Buttermilk channel, which during the 19th-20th centuries was one of America’s busiest waterways
The park is also home to masterful pieces of street art including giant toy blocks that welcome you to Red Hook and a majestic aquatic painting by Chris Soria, reminiscent of Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” (Keep an eye out for artist Chris Soria at the Erie Basin park where he will be demonstrating some of his artistic skill live!)
The Park-and-Pier is a mostly unknown leisure spot in Brooklyn and is typically occupied by only by local picnickers, fisherman, and Red Hook boaters.
Today however it is the starting point for Field Trip Day! From here you will set out on a path of your own choosing, answering trivia for prizes, finding unexpected wonders along the way, and ending up at Brooklyn Crab for food, drink and mini golf!
Head out of the park toward Barnell St to
1) Share a tasty Key Lime pie from Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies!
2) Head down Ferris St. to Lidgerwood Manufacturing Company for some surprising history on the Panama Canal!