Brooklyn’s Newest Attraction: The Bed-Stuy Aquarium
NEW YORK (AP) — In a surprising turn of events, an urban pond that once thrived under a leaking New York City fire hydrant has been transformed into a vibrant makeshift aquarium. This revival came shortly after the city swiftly covered the pond due to safety concerns.
Resourceful residents of Brooklyn have banded together to create the new habitat using waterproof liners, bath tiles, concrete blocks, and gravel. Enclosed in a tree bed next to the now-repaired hydrant, the community has breathed new life into the area.
On Friday afternoon, around 40 goldfish were spotted swimming in their new surroundings, complete with colorful, faux plants and decorative stones. The construction of this makeshift aquarium took place on Wednesday, and it has quickly become a local curiosity.
Dozens of visitors have flocked to the site, including Pedro Zambrana, a 29-year-old from Barcelona, who commented, “This is so cool,” expressing that visiting the aquarium was a top priority on his agenda during his week-long stay in the city.
A local resident, Devang Shah, who is actively involved in the aquarium’s upkeep, shared plans to incorporate a solar-powered filtration system to replace the current battery-operated one soon. He noted that the setup should also include a heating system as winter approaches, and they are even considering establishing a livestream so that fans worldwide can watch the goldfish.
Known as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium, this unique attraction can be found on Google Maps and boasts its own Instagram and TikTok accounts, which are regularly updated by Shah and other community members.
Shah, 44, expressed some nostalgia for the original setup, mentioning that managing the aquarium had been simpler when it was located under the leaky hydrant. The continuous flow of water from the hydrant had eliminated the need for a filtration system, making maintenance effortless. “They seemed happier over there,” he remarked, gesturing towards the hydrant now encased in a smooth slab of concrete.
As Shah took care of the aquarium—feeding the fish, clearing away leaves, and checking water quality—onlookers observed with interest. This marks the fourth version of this community-driven pond, which first emerged as a result of the hydrant creating a shallow pool in the cracked pavement. Residents initially populated it with goldfish purchased from stores.
Earlier this summer, concerns for the fish’s welfare prompted a community “rescue,” but determined neighbors replenished the pool as they took stewardship of the site. As the aquarium has evolved, it has been adorned with painted benches, colorful decorations, and even a sign resembling an official New York City Parks Department plaque that reads, “BEDSTUY AQUARIUM.”
Stay Updated
For more updates, follow Philip Marcelo on Twitter.
