Adventure Collective
Urban Ecology Cycling at Brooklyn Navy Yard - New York City

Urban Ecology Cycling at Brooklyn Navy Yard

Brooklyneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels, including casual riders and families.

Overview

Discover Brooklyn's rich maritime history and ecological innovations on a guided bike tour through the Navy Yard. Perfect for urban adventurers seeking eco-friendly fun!

Bike Tour
Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn Navy Yard: Urban Ecology Bicycle Tour

Bicycle (not provided) • Select Sundays, 10:30am

Select participants and date

Adventure Photos

Brooklyn Navy Yard: Urban Ecology Bicycle Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

About

Discover the natural world in the midst a thriving urban industrial park on this 2-hour tour of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where we will explore New York City’s waterways, terrestrial ecosystems and urban farms. At the stunning 65,000-square-foot Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, we will learn how they produce thousands of pounds of vegetables annually – as well as honey and eggs – and are a national leader in the development of rooftop and urban farming techniques. Descending to the bank of the East River, we will visit an oyster restoration project led by students from the New York Harbor School and will discuss the improving health of the city’s waterways, and the challenges that remain. We will also explore planned and unplanned natural landscapes of the Yard, including the landscape architecture surrounding BLDG 92, identifying native and exotic plant species along the way. Finally, we will visit the Naval Cemetery Landscape, a former military cemetery that is now a publicly-accessible green space and part of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. This tour will reveal that the natural world truly is all around us, even in the heart of the city.


Highlights

  • 2-hour guided bicycle tour with frequent stops to explore sites more closely
  • Visit the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm
  • See an oyster restoration project being carried out by local high school students
  • Visit the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's new park at the former Brooklyn Naval Hospital Cemetery
  • Learn about sustainable landscaping and how to identify common native and invasive plant species
  • All tours offered on behalf of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92

Public Tour Schedule

  • Select weekends at 1pm, April-November

  • This tour lasts 2 hours


Bicycles

  • All participants must provide their own bicycles and we strongly recommend that all participants where safety helmets during the tour. Visit our website for information on nearby bicycle rental shops.

Know Before You Go

  • Tours proceed rain or shine and will not be cancelled or rescheduled due to inclement weather unless such weather constitutes a dangerous situation, in which case Turnstile Tours will contact all tour attendees.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
  • We will cycle approximately 5 miles on this tour.
  • Cancellations: We cannot reschedule or refund tickets that are canceled within 24 hours of the tour start time. If you cancel more than 24 hours before the tour, we can offer you a credit to reschedule for a future tour.

Adventure Tips

Stay Hydrated

Bring water to stay refreshed during the ride, especially in warm weather.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Use sneakers or bike shoes for optimal comfort and pedal efficiency.

Protect Your Skin

Apply sunscreen and wear a hat or sunglasses for sun protection.

Check Equipment

Ensure your bike is in good working order before the tour begins.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Ospreys
  • Urban foxes

History

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a major military shipbuilding site from the Civil War through World War II, now transformed into a hub for sustainable industry.

Conservation

The Yard implements various green initiatives, including stormwater management and habitat restoration, to promote urban environmental health.

Select participants and date

Adventure Hotspots in New York City

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Helmet

Essential

Protects your head and ensures safety during the ride.

Water Bottle

Essential

Keeps you hydrated throughout the tour.

Sunscreen

Essential

Prevents sunburn on sunny days.

summer specific

Comfortable Clothing

Essential

Wear breathable layers suited to the weather conditions.

spring;summer;fall specific