Brooklyn Children’s Museum Arrives in Brooklyn Bridge Park

brooklyn childrens museum spark annex open brooklyn bridge park

Photo by Susan De Vries

The highly anticipated spinoff of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum will debut Saturday in Dumbo at 1 John Street in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The annex, called Spark, is the 117-year-old Crown Heights institution’s first permanent presence outside its original location.

The 1,850-square-feet venue is expected to attract 50,000 visitors from near and far in its first year, opening up the museum to a wider audience. It will also provide a welcome resource for young families living nearby.

“We’re proud that some of Brooklyn’s most venerable cultural institutions now call the park home and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the borough and the city to Spark,” said Brooklyn Bridge Park President Regina Myer.

brooklyn childrens museum spark annex open brooklyn bridge park

Photo by Pavel Bendov

Spark will focus on indoor and outdoor learning and play spaces for children ages six months to six years. The first exhibit will be Brooklyn Block Lab, an early childhood block play workshop that’s been popular at the Crown Heights location.

There will be daily classes, space for birthday parties, and free admission on Thursday afternoons. The outpost is also planning to partner with several nearby schools, including the recently rezoned P.S. 307 in Vinegar Hill.

brooklyn childrens museum spark annex open brooklyn bridge park

Photo by Pavel Bendov

The developer and architect of the condos at 1 John Street, Alloy and Monadnock Development, donated and designed the space and materials for the annex.

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