Bridge to Paddle Walk - From Manhattan Bridge to Kayaking in Red Hook

Date: Sunday, August 24th, 2025.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to about 4 p.m., with about an hour for the kayaking, including getting ready, 20-30 minutes on the water, and coming out of the water.
Total distance: About 11 miles.
Location: Corner of Canal and Lafayette Streets, at the #6 Canal Street subway station, by the China Buddhist Association.
Bring: Water, sunscreen, hat, lunch (or buy at our lunch stop in Red Hook). Wear clothes that can get wet and dry quickly (for the kayaking).
Restrooms:
-Columbus Park, about 5 blocks from our meeting point, before getting on the Manhattan Bridge (not the cleanest, so you may want to bring a mask, or wait about 40 minutes, until we get to the Brooklyn side of the bridge);
-Several along the way in Brooklyn Bridge Park;
-Pier 6, before exiting Brooklyn Bridge Park (this will be the last restroom until after the kayaking session, about 2 hours later);
-Food Bazaar (former Fairway) by the Red Hook Channel (lunch break);
-Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, for those who want to end the walk there, before boarding the ferry to Wall Street or Bay Ridge.

DETAILS:
We will walk over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park, then through the park along the waterfront and green areas down to Cobble Hill and Red Hook, to Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and a kayaking session with the Red Hook Boaters, then back to Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO, to catch the ferry to Wall Street or Bay Ridge.

About 11 miles, give or take, on flat terrain, moderate pace. About 30 minutes on the water. Several drop-out options along the route, either taking the B61 bus (downtown Brooklyn to Park Slope route) or the ferry at the Red Hook ferry landing in the Atlantic Basin, or at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue landing (to Wall Street or Bay Ridge).

MORE WALK AND KAYAKING DETAILS:
We will walk a few blocks from the meeting point to the first bathroom stop and then get a taste of the hustle and bustle of Chinatown as we walk along Bayard Street to the Manhattan Bridge. After exiting the bridge in Brooklyn, we’ll head to the waterfront and walk the length of Brooklyn Bridge Park to its southern end. There are many photo opportunities and distractions along the way, so our pace will be moderate until we exit the park close to Cobble Hill.

As a special treat in the park, we’ll visit Akua, a striking pavilion by artist Torkwase Dyson at Pier 1. This large, open structure houses an immersive eight-channel soundscape, weaving together voices from Black archives, nature field recordings, and electronic sounds.

When we exit the park, we’ll pick up the pace a bit as we walk down to Red Hook and Louis Valentino, Jr. Park, where the Red Hook Boaters use a small beach to launch their kayaks.

After signing up for the kayaks, we will spend 20–30 minutes on the water. Those of us who don’t want to kayak can hang out on the pier and enjoy the views. And Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie is right there, next to the pier. But note that this is NOT our lunch stop. When we are done kayaking, we will walk over to the Food Bazaar, about 10 minutes away, where we will have lunch and use the restrooms. After lunch, we will walk back to Brooklyn Bridge Park, where we can catch the ferry to Wall Street or Bay Ridge, either at Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue or further north at the DUMBO landing. Drop-off options along the route are several B61 bus stops on Van Brunt Street, to downtown Brooklyn or Park Slope, or the Red Hook ferry terminal in the Atlantic Basin, to Wall Street or Bay Ridge.

Louis Valentino, Jr. Park is a small neighborhood park, with few amenities. There is just a fountain to fill up water bottles. The kayaking volunteers have a table where people sign up for a kayak, and they have waterproof containers for valuables people want to take with them on the boat. The last times we did this walk, we used my large waterproof bag to put in our things and left the bag with the volunteers while we were on the water, without any problems. You can also bring a zip lock bag for your phone and/or small things.

NOTE: The kayaking starts at 1 p.m., but when I went to confirm that the kayaks will be there this coming Sunday, the volunteers asked that we get there beforehand, so that we can help them set up and be on the water by 1 p.m.

IMPORTANTLY: It is unavoidable that you will get wet in the kayak, at least your feet/shoes and pants, so please wear suitable clothes. And I'd recommend to bring a small towel to dry and get the sand off your feet after you got out of the kayak. I will have a few towelettes, but they may not be sufficient for everyone. You will have to sign the Red Hook Boaters liability waiver before getting on the water.

Also note that the kayaking there is not a trip on the river. It is paddling in a safe enclave with great views of the Statue of Liberty. No previous experience is needed.

Hike leader: Brigitte, phone 646-651-3911, on day of walk only.