named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Brooklyn Banks Restoration
Effort to restore and reopen the historic skateboarding areas known as the Small Banks and Big Banks in partnership with The City, agency partners, and Tony Hawk's The Skatepark Project.
Community Hub and Public Space Activation
Plans to convert The Vaults under the bridge into public use spaces including a community hub, New York Public Library branch, Brooklyn Bridge Museum, and maker space.
Gotham Park Youth Ambassadors
Youth internship program engaging NYC teens in park activation and stewardship, providing stipends and skill-building opportunities in community development and environmental engagement.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 3 activities
- Advocating for public park use of underutilized urban spacesSuccessfully reclaimed the Small Banks, Basketball Courts, and Big Banks areas for public park use through community advocacy, contributing to the development of Gotham Park at the Manhattan landing of the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Reopening and revitalizing public spaces under the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn BridgeReopened nearly four acres of previously inaccessible public space beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, including the first acre of Gotham Park opened on May 24, 2023, and an additional 15,000 square feet on November 18, 2024, with three more acres planned for early 2025. The project operates under the name Gotham Park at 1 Rose Street and involves the restoration of historic areas such as Small Banks and Big Banks.
- Securing funding and advancing development of Gotham ParkSecured funding and advanced the development of a new 9-acre public park at the Manhattan landing of the Brooklyn Bridge, contributing to projected economic benefits of $1.4 billion for surrounding business districts.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting free public events and programs at Gotham ParkReopened the Big Banks site and hosted over 22,000 attendees at free public events and programs in 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to activate and engage the community through open space revitalization.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducting research on health benefits of urban green spacesHighlights research showing that urban green spaces reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma, while improving mental health, sleep quality, and birth weight, supporting the public health rationale for park development.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$489K
Contributions & grants$489K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$267K
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$215K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$238K
Cash$228K
Investments$0
Liabilities$6K
Net assets$232K
Liquid reserves10.2 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2023 · YoY revenue +662.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSA CHANG | PRESIDENT | 65 | $200K |
board members · 8
- BENJAMIN ANDERSON BASHEIN — DIRECTOR
- BRET COLLAZZI — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH LEWINSOHN — BOARD CHAIR
- NANCY KONG — TREASURER
- ROBERT MAGLIARO — DIRECTOR
- SARAH KRAUTHEIM — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN RODRIGUEZ — DIRECTOR
- VICTORIA LEE — SECRETARY
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Agency partners Government — Collaborating on the restoration and reopening of the Brooklyn Banks.
- Bloomberg Associates Partner — Advisory board member organization contributing urban design and public policy expertise.
- Bloomberg L.P. Partner — Advisory board member organization providing financial and strategic support.
- Gotham Park Partner — BROOKLYN BRIDGE MANHATTAN INC collaborates with Gotham Park in efforts to create public green space at the Manhattan landing of the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Madison Square Park Conservancy Partner — Advisory board member organization providing expertise in urban park management.
- New York City Government — Collaborates with New York City agencies to reopen and activate public spaces under the Brooklyn Bridge.
- New York Public Library Partner — Planned partner for the conversion of The Vaults into public use, including a library location.
- Park Row Alliance Partner — Consortium co-founded by Nancy that includes residents, small businesses, and not-for-profits advocating for community interests in the Civic Center District.
- Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Partner — Advisory board member organization offering operational insights for public space management.
- Target ALS Partner — Advisory board member organization providing nonprofit leadership and governance expertise.
- The City Government — Partnering in the effort to restore and reopen the historic skate areas.
- The Green-Wood Cemetery Partner — Advisory board member organization contributing experience in historic public space stewardship.
- Therme Group US Partner — Advisory board member organization contributing expertise in urban wellness and public space design.
- Tony Hawk's The Skatepark Project Partner — Supporting the restoration and reopening of the Small Banks and Big Banks.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adaptive Reuse of Urban Infrastructure for Community Benefitmethodology: adaptive reuse of urban infrastructureBy transforming underutilized urban infrastructure into public parks and green spaces, we create accessible community destinations that foster engagement, wellness, and resilience because repurposed spaces remove barriers to access and activate neglected areas in ways that traditional development cannot.
- Civic Advocacy to Enable Public Space Developmentmethodology: civic_advocacy_and_coalition_buildingBy building coalitions and engaging in targeted advocacy with city agencies and elected officials, we overcome systemic barriers to public space creation because organized civic pressure shifts policy and unlocks resources for hyper-urban parks.
- Community-Led Revitalization to Strengthen Social and Spatial Equitymethodology: community-led revitalizationBy centering community voices in the design and governance of public spaces, we produce more inclusive, resilient, and used spaces because local leadership ensures cultural relevance, long-term stewardship, and equitable access.
- Context-Responsive Design for Inclusive Public Experiencemethodology: context-responsive park designBy tailoring public space design to the unique physical, cultural, and social characteristics of a site, we increase usage and belonging because spaces that reflect local identity and needs attract broader and more sustained community engagement.
- Green Infrastructure as Public Health and Climate Interventionmethodology: green-infrastructure-for-public-healthBy integrating green space into dense urban environments, we improve mental and physical health outcomes and enhance climate resilience because accessible nature reduces stress, mitigates heat, and fosters community wellness as a public health strategy.