Commodore Barry Park

Commodore Barry Park is an 10.39-acre park at the intersection of Flushing Avenue, Navy Street, and Park Avenue in Fort Greene, adjacent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The park is named for Commodore John Barry, an Irish-born naval officer considered the Father of the American Navy for his service during the Revolutionary War.

Barry commanded several American warships during the Revolution and is credited with winning the first naval battle of the war. He later served as the senior officer of the United States Navy under President George Washington. His connection to naval service makes him a fitting namesake for a park next to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard, which borders the park, was one of the most important naval shipbuilding facilities in American history, producing vessels from the Civil War through World War II. The yard is now a thriving industrial park housing hundreds of small businesses and manufacturers.

The park features a large swimming pool (one of the WPA-era pools built under Robert Moses in 1936), basketball courts, handball courts, a running track, and playgrounds. The pool is one of the most popular summer attractions in Fort Greene, drawing swimmers from across the neighborhood.

Commodore Barry Park serves the diverse Fort Greene and Clinton Hill communities with athletic facilities and green space that complement the more passive character of nearby Fort Greene Park. Its location near the Navy Yard connects it to the industrial heritage that has defined this part of Brooklyn for over two centuries.