Leif Ericson Park
Interactive Park Map
About the Location
History and Heritage
Leif Ericson Park is a 21-acre green space located in Brooklyn, named after the Norse explorer Leif Ericson. The park was officially dedicated in 1925 to honor the large local Norwegian community in the area.
The park's design was initially planned by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in 1934-35. It incorporates several Norse-themed decorations, including troll statues and columns decorated to resemble the turrets of the famous stave church of Borgund, Norway.
In 1939, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, later King Olav V, dedicated a monument to Leif Ericson at the Fourth Avenue entrance to the park. This monument features two bronze, rune-stone-shaped relief tablets mounted on granite.
Recent Improvements
In 2009, the park underwent a redesign that further emphasized its namesake, incorporating Viking ship-themed play equipment.
The following year, a section of the park known as the "dust bowl" was transformed into a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, complete with misting stations and recreational lights. This area was renamed Quaker Parrot Park at the Dustbowl, in honor of the Argentine birds that had established colonies throughout Brooklyn in the preceding decades.
Facilities and Layout
Leif Ericson Park provides a range of facilities for various activities, including sports, recreation, and relaxation.
The park's layout closely resembles its original 1930s vision, with some modifications to accommodate changing community needs and preferences over time.
