Entrance to the Shirley Chisholm State Park The Shirley Chisholm State Park, named after the Brooklyn native and one of the college’s most famous alumnae, opened in the summer of 2019 in East New York. At 130 feet above sea level at its highest point, and built on just over 400 acres of repurposed land, it is New York City’s largest state park. “Throughout my career, I’ve looked to Shirley Chisholm as a role model and a strong woman who fought for her community,” said New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul at the opening of the new park in July. “It is an appropriate recognition to name this park for a congresswoman and presidential candidate who spent her time in office working to move Brooklyn and our nation forward.” More than 35,000 trees and shrubs, and native grasses, make up a coastal meadow, woodland, and wetland ecosystem that has the added bonus of preventing erosion and boosting sustainability. The park, with hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, fishing piers, and guided bird walks, is open from 9 a.m. to dusk, 365 days a year.
