YSR.

Growing piles of garbage and persistent foul smell at one of Sunset Park’s main entrances have become a source of frustration for residents, who say the conditions have worsened throughout the summer at one of Brooklyn’s busiest public parks. 

Much of the concern centers on the park entrance near Sixth Avenue and 44th Street, where bags of trash are regularly left in a designated collection area before being removed by city crews. Neighbors say the garbage often sits long enough to produce strong odors, attract pests, and leave behind leaking waste that makes the entrance unpleasant to use. 

Residents said that the problem has become especially noticeable during the summer months, with some saying the smell can be overwhelming on hot days. Several neighbors have also raised concerns that the area has effectively become an unofficial dumping site, as household garbage and other refuse are sometimes left alongside park waste. 

City officials say the collection area is intended to temporarily hold bagged trash from busy park weekends and large gatherings until sanitation crews remove it. They maintain that the garbage is regularly collected, though some nearby residents dispute that claim and say trash often remains for extended periods. 

The ongoing complaints have renewed calls for the city to improve how trash is handled at the park, in order to reduce odors and discourage illegal dumping. Others say the current system is no longer keeping up with the amount of waste generated during the busy summer season. 

While city officials say that enclosed dumpsters are expected to arrive at the end of 2026, neighbors say they hope changes are made before conditions deteriorate further, arguing that one of Brooklyn’s most heavily used parks should remain clean, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone throughout the summer.