McCarren Park residents report surge in rats, syringes and overflowing trash
Brooklyn neighbors say public health hazards have increased this summer; city parks officials and a councilman offer contrasting explanations and responses
Residents near McCarren Park in Brooklyn say the greenspace on the Williamsburg–Greenpoint border has been overrun this summer by rats, piles of garbage and discarded hypodermic needles, creating what they describe as a public health hazard for children, pets and other park users.
Complaints to the city’s 311 system about McCarren Park have nearly doubled compared with the same period last year, residents and local officials said, with nearly half the complaints related to loud music at the on‑site McCarren Parkhouse venue and others concerning illegal dumping, homeless encampments, fireworks, maintenance problems, public drinking and overflowing trash receptacles. Several residents recounted finding used syringes in areas where toddlers and dogs play; one couple said their 2‑year‑old dachshund picked up a hypodermic needle and they stopped bringing the dog to the park.
People interviewed described growing piles of garbage around the park’s pool area and along walkways, sometimes in black trash bags that were open and spilling. Residents said the refuse and the smell that accompanies it have coincided with an observable increase in rat sightings. One mother said she saw a rat in broad daylight beneath a stroller while carrying her infant. Another resident said her dog has killed multiple rats in the park this summer.
Some neighbors and commenters on social media blamed transient parties, barbecues and visitors from outside the neighborhood for leaving behind trash. Others attributed broader staffing and budget changes at the Parks Department for the increase in refuse and rodent activity.
City Councilman Lincoln Restler said the Adams administration made "harmful" cuts to seasonal Parks Department staff, reducing those positions by more than 1,600 — roughly 40% — and that those were the workers who helped keep McCarren Park clean. Restler's office said it has allocated $60,000 to purchase and maintain garbage containment solutions at the park, and that it has organized multiple volunteer cleanups. Restler also said his office is forming a Friends of McCarren Park group and is coordinating with local organizations for sustained beautification and maintenance efforts.
A New York City Parks Department representative said in a statement that summers typically bring increased park usage and urged visitors to dispose of trash properly. The department said Parks staff ‘‘work daily to keep our parks and greenspaces free of trash and debris’’ and that trash cans at McCarren Park are emptied at least once a day and more frequently at known hotspots. The statement noted that McCarren Park is among locations receiving additional evening and weekend service through the department’s Second Shift program, which deploys staff to address litter and cleanliness issues in high‑use areas.
To address illegal dumping, Parks recently increased penalties for violations on park property, raising the first‑offense fine from $1,000 to $5,000 and adding a $10,000 fine for subsequent violations within 12 months. The department also pointed to ongoing monitoring of parks and efforts to address litter outside receptacles.
Public‑health advocates and park users warn that rats and discarded needles pose risks: rats can carry pathogens and contribute to unsanitary conditions, and used syringes can transmit bloodborne infections if handled by children or pets. City officials did not provide immediate data tying the reported increase in sightings to a rise in disease incidence, and Parks said it continuously monitors parks for safety and sanitation issues.
Local volunteers and council staff have held cleanups in recent weeks, and residents said they want sustained action from the city to prevent recurring build‑up of trash and to make the park safe for families who use it daily. The presence of more visible refuse and syringes has persuaded some regular users to avoid the park until they see more consistent maintenance and enforcement.
City and council officials said they are continuing to assess and respond to complaints. Residents and neighborhood groups plan further cleanup efforts while pressing for longer‑term staffing and enforcement measures from Parks Department leadership to address both litter and public‑health concerns at the popular Brooklyn park.