Yesterday crews broke ground on Pier 3, the latest addition to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The first section of the 85-acre park, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), broke ground eight years ago. Since then, the New York–based firm has transformed a disused bulk cargo shipping and storage complex along the East River into a wildly successful park of sloping meadows, basketball courts and playgrounds, a kayak launch, and a marina.

At a groundbreaking ceremony for the $26 million dollar pier, pictured above, attendees included firm principal Michael van Valkenburgh, outgoing Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation president Regina Myer, and local officials. The day marked another important milestone: Brooklyn Bridge Park’s near-completion. As of now, the 1.3-mile-long park is 90 percent under construction or complete.

“Breaking ground on Pier 3 marks a landmark achievement: The final major stage of construction to get underway at Brooklyn Bridge Park,” Myer said, in a statement. “A decade ago, our 85 acres were still a barren stretch of industrial wasteland. Today, 330,000 visitors enjoy our waterfront every week and now they’ll have Pier 3—a beautiful central lawn and a fabulous play space that will transform this five acre concrete platform.”

Map of Brooklyn Bridge Park. (Courtesy Michael van Valkenburgh Associates)

The central feature of Pier 3 is its great lawn, ringed with trees and traced with walkways. The other programs—an all-ages “play labyrinth” and an events space—are organized around the main grassy expanse.

Construction on the project is expected to be complete in 2018.

Pier 3 plan. (Courtesy MVVA)

Pier 3 plan with topography. (Courtesy MVVA)