Right here before us stretches Domino Park a testament to Brooklyn’s industrial past and vibrant present. This 5-acre park wasn’t always a place for recreation and relaxation. Time jump back to the mid-19th century. This very spot was home to the Domino Sugar Refinery once the largest in the world.
The Domino Sugar Refinery began its sweet story in 1856. The Havemeyer family grew it to an unmatched size. At its peak the refinery produced 4 million pounds of sugar daily. Imagine the sheer scale of that operation. It was the jewel in the crown of the Domino Sugar empire. It produced 98% of the sugar consumed in the United States.
The factory attracted immigrants from Puerto Rico, Poland, the Dominican Republic and Germany. They came to work and gave their multiethnic presence to Williamsburg.
But as times changed industrial activity declined. The Domino Sugar Refinery closed its doors in 2004. For years the site lay abandoned a relic of a bygone era. But the story doesn’t end there.
In 2010 the New York City Council approved a plan to transform the site. Part of the complex would become a recreational area. This marked the beginning of Domino Park’s reinvention.
Today Domino Park stands as a tribute to the site’s history. Many elements of the old refinery have been repurposed. See those wooden chairs and benches. They were constructed from reclaimed wood from the factory. Notice the large syrup collection tanks. They are displayed as salvaged factory equipment. They pay tribute to the Domino Sugar Refinery history.
James Corner Field Operations also designed the High Line. It took them six years to design Domino Park. Two Trees Management spent roughly $50 million to construct it. The park opened to the public on June 10, 2018.
Domino Park is divided into zones. There is an area dedicated to rest gastronomy and play. The park features a playground, a dog run and courts. The volleyball court pays homage to Williamsburg’s historical Latino population.
The playground named Sweetwater Playground resembles the sugar refining process. Children enter as raw sugar cane. They exit as molasses or sugar cubes. The playground was designed by artist Mark Reigelman.
An elevated walkway extends along the park. Crane tracks house gardens with different plant species. At the southern end water jets create an illuminated fountain display.
Domino Park also considered future storms. Hurricane Sandy struck while the park was under construction in 2012. So the park is located on an elevation well above flood elevation guidelines.
Since opening Domino Park has welcomed millions of visitors. It’s a place where history and recreation intertwine. It is a symbol of Brooklyn’s transformation and resilience.