Pineapple Ride, a proud Partner of Bensonhurst Park
We are proud to share that Pineapple Ride is now an official Partner of Bensonhurst Park, known to many neighbors as Cropsey Park. Since 2014 and the very first Pineapple Ride, this park has served as our de facto headquarters. Long before we formally became a bike club or began inviting friends to tune up their bikes. Long before the three cofounders would regularly meet near the chess tables to map out routes, share ideas, and dream about what Pineapple Ride could become. We were just a bunch of kids playing in the park during the 90s. It’s been over 30 days since we set foot in this park, we now have kids of our own that play here.
Bensonhurst Park is a cherished greenspace with a significant waterfront presence in southern Brooklyn. Bisected by the Belt Parkway, it functions both as a neighborhood gathering place and a rare urban refuge for families, cyclists, and neighbors of all ages. While NYC Parks classifies it as a Level D park, to our community it is one of the area’s most vital shared spaces. It is a place where memories are made, children learn to ride their first bikes, and neighbors reconnect with nature.
As a park partner, Pineapple Ride will continue advancing our mission to foster a welcoming and safe cycling culture in southern Brooklyn by:
Hosting community events and clean-ups that bring neighbors together
Advocating for improvements that make the park safer, greener, and more accessible
Strengthening connections with local families, schools, and businesses
Adding permanent composting and mulching
Establishing and maintaining a “Little Free Library”
This past autumn marked the first of many programs we will host in partnership with NYC Parks. On Friday, October 17, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, we collaborated with NYC Parks Forestry Programs to conduct a Tree Census at Bensonhurst Park. Volunteers learned how to identify and measure trees, assess their health, and contribute meaningful data to the citywide effort to care for New York City’s urban forest. Looking ahead to spring 2026, we hope to help host two additional Tree Census events, one at Bath Beach Park and another at Benson Park.
This partnership is about more than a single organization. It is about putting down roots in Bensonhurst Park and working alongside everyone who cares about its future. Our long-term vision is to help build a dedicated conservancy for Bensonhurst Park, one that can steward the park’s waterfront, landscapes, and public spaces with care, consistency, and community leadership. Together, we are committed to nurturing this space so it can thrive for generations to come.
We will continue hosting It’s My Park events and will clean the park’s waterfront each time we activate Open Streets or host street programming at 9100 Bay Parkway.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming volunteer days, rides, and new ways to get involved. Let’s keep building Bensonhurst Park into a true community hub. Message us today to join in.
