In 1993, the Brooklyn Waterfront Trail was identified as a priority route in the Department of City Planning's Greenway Plan for New York City, which outlined a vision for a citywide 350-mile network of greenways. The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway project area now spans 14 miles of Brooklyn waterfront.

When completed, it will provide a human scale connection between numerous waterfront communities now divided by highways and transit infrastructure. Benefits will include more waterfront access, better quality of life, healthier lifestyles, more diverse transportation options, and increased economic development, as more people find Brooklyn a desirable place to live or relocate their business.

The proposed Greenway will stretch from Sunset Park to Newtown Creek in Greenpoint. Within the 14 mile Greenway will be the Brooklyn Bridge Park and other large-scale redevelopments. In addition to the planning for the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation has focused on the planning and redevelopment initiative to help guide the future of Brooklyn Piers 7-12. On May 31, 2006, ownership of Piers 1, 2, 3, and part of Pier 5 was transferred from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC), a significant step in the completion of the project. A map of the greenway is linked on the right.

This development is closely interlinked with:
Sunset Park Waterfront Vision Plan & Bush Terminal Piers Park
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Brooklyn Navy Yard
Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning