Marsha P. Johnson State Park

North of Domino Park, this state-run stretch of waterfront faces Manhattan and bears the name of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans activist and figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. New York renamed the former East River State Park in 2020; the change places political memory in a landscape that still carries traces of its past as a shipping terminal and pier. There are lawns, benches, a playground and paths, but the simplest scene is often the best: sit by the water and watch the light change across the skyline.

Visitors praise the open views, relative calm and value of a free riverfront park; other comments point to limited shade in some areas and strict dog rules. Dogs are not allowed in most of the park, though a designated dog run sits on Kent Avenue. That rule, along with the ban on swimming and the permit requirement for larger gatherings, is useful to know before planning a family visit or picnic.

The entrance is at 90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is free; visitors can walk, cycle or use public transport, as there is no public parking inside. The park classroom opens only on selected days and hours, so do not assume it will be available on a spontaneous visit. This stop is especially meaningful for travellers who want to connect the East River landscape with the story of an activist who challenged violence and exclusion.