The Brooklyn Heights Promenade (also called the Esplanade) is a 1,826-foot-long platform and pedestrian walkway cantilevered over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (Interstate 278) in Brooklyn Heights. With views of Lower Manhattan's skyline and the New York Harbor, it came about as the unplanned byproduct of competing proposals for the highway’s route that were resolved in the midst of World War II. Actual construction came after the war. As a structure constructed over a roadway, the Promenade is owned by the NYCDOT and is not considered a park; however, NYC Parks maintains the entire Promenade. The Promenade runs between the Brooklyn Bridge and the ramp north of Atlantic Avenue. The walkway itself is curtailed at both ends. Due to the area's topography, the Promenade is four stories; from top to bottom, they are the walkway, eastbound I-278, westbound I-278, and Furman Street. It has appeared in the movies Annie Hall and Moonstruck, among others. This pedestrian walkway offers spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a favorite destination for joggers, walkers, and rollerbladers, but it also offers a quiet atmosphere for those who prefer to just sit, chat, and enjoy the view. The Promenade is lined with grand town houses and mansions, and is part of Brooklyn’s first Historic Preservation District.
