Situated between Bay Ridge and Gowanus, its name was taken from the local park built in the area in the 1890s. The area's growth was directly affected by the development of Bush Terminal (32- 41 Streets), a complex of warehouses, factory lofts and piers built in 1890, used to host visiting circuses and wild west shows, and by the establishment of the Brooklyn Army Terminal (58-63 Streets) built in 1919. Today, both are in the midst of major renewal to accommodate the mass of small businesses that are relocating here. The Gowanus area, within Sunset Park, was so named for the Gouwane, the Indian tribe that made its camp around what is now 39 Street and 3 Avenue. The construction of the Gowanus Expressway in 1941, served to separate the industrial and residential areas of the neighborhood. The industry of the area includes light manufacturing, and wholesale meat markets, in addition to the recently established Costco discount warehouse.

• The Brooklyn Army Terminal, completed in 1919, served as a military ocean supply facility. During World War II, over 50 million tons of supplies destined for overseas passed through the terminal.
• Greenwood Cemetery - built in 1838, was meant to be a rural retreat where visitors could ponder death as a natural part of life. The remains of such notables as Margaret Sanger, Horace Greeley and the infamous "Boss" Tweed are buried there. It is a designated New York City historic landmark. One of its most prominent features is its Gothic style front gate that stands at 5 Avenue and 25 Street. Many elaborate and ornate headstones can be found among the more modest.
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help (5 Ave & 59 St) is Brooklyn's largest Roman Catholic Church.
• Noted for its egg-shaped dome atop a lofty 200 foot tower is St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church (42 Street & 4 Avenue).
• The NYC Bus Depot that stands at 5 Avenue and 36 Street was renamed The Jackie Gleason Bus Depot in honor of Mr. Gleason, who portrayed television's most famous Brooklyn Bus Driver, Ralph Kramden, on the long-running television series "The Honeymooners." Prior to his death in 1988, Mr. Gleason was named an honorary member of the Transit Workers Union. Upon Mr. Gleason's demise, New York bus drivers drove with their lights on as a sign of mourning.