Shirley Chisolm Recreation Center Opens In East Flatbush

The Shirley Chisolm Recreation Center officially opened on February 9, 2026, bringing a new hub for fitness, learning and community to East Flatbush, Brooklyn. 

Project team members joined city officials and local leaders to celebrate the opening and honor Shirley Chisolm the trailblazing Brooklyn representative for whom the center is named. 

Designed by Studio Gang, the 74,000-square-foot facility includes an indoor pool, gymnasium, walking track and flexible community spaces, along with a welcoming plaza. 

Thornton Tomasetti provided integrated structural, facade, civil and geotechnical engineering services for the fast-tracked design-build project. Key elements include a long-span mass timber roof over the natatorium, prefabricated brick-faced panels that streamlined construction, and integrated stormwater strategies that respond to New York’s latest environmental guidelines. 

The center has achieved LEED Platinum certification and now stands as a resilient, community-focused destination for Brooklyn residents. Read the full project story to explore the engineering and sustainability strategies behind the design.