Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club

About Us

The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club

The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing waterfront access and education about our estuary and shoreline neighborhoods. Our organization was founded in 1999 and our homeport is at 165 2nd Street on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. Activities are conducted on the canal and neighboring waterfront communities of Red Hook, Sunset Park and Brooklyn Heights. In addition, our 501(c)3 runs Activity Committees on the Long Island City, Red Hook, and Staten Island shorelines.

The Dredgers work to ensure participants of our programs develop an understanding of the NY & NJ harbor as a resource for recreation and education as well as a waterway for commuters, tourists and movement of goods. As people experience and enjoy our waterway they become advocates for its revitalization. These efforts are proving to be fruitful as recent legislation has provided funding and the EPA Superfund cleanup is underway in part, due to the rise in popularity of paddling on the Gowanus Canal. Help us ensure that as our waterfront is cleaned, accommodations are provided to allow for safe access on and off the water.

All of the Gowanus Dredgers facilities, equipment and funding are used to accommodate and activate the use of our waterfront and to educate the community about our estuary. Our organization runs an array of events throughout the year including casual voyages on the waterway, tours led by volunteer staff, organizing and participating in waterfront festivals, conducting lectures at schools and public forums and advocating in the community and at public meetings. Volunteers in our programs have monitored the health of oysters and sea grass that naturally clean the water. All Dredgers’ activities and workshops are open to the public and membership in the organization is not required to participate in most activities. In addition, our facilities and services are available to the public to launch canoes, rowboats and kayaks.

Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Locations

Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse
165 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

The Boathouse

Our Boathouse is at 165 2nd St, next to the Sponge Park. The Boathouse is home to our monthly art shows, weekly Creeker’s Jamborees and many other community events. 

The Bunker

Our Bunker launch site is located at 2 19th St, behind the Home Depot and next to the new Fed Ex warehouse. Unless specifically noted, ALL water-based activities launch from the Bunker. We host walk-up paddling from the Bunker twice a month, and guided tours as volunteer availability allows. Check out our calendar to see when we’ll be there and please stop on by!

Gowanus Dredgers Bunker
2 19th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232

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