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On weekend mornings in Williamsburg, the neighborhood settles into an easy rhythm. Parents gather at the waterfront, locals line up for coffee, and the streets begin to fill with conversations that drift from one block to the next. It is a place shaped by community, and that spirit guided the Brooklyn edition of Walk the Neighborhood.
Square partnered with Joe Gonzales, founder of Brooklyn Stroll Club, and Emory Jones, co-founder of Paper Planes and founder of Bet on Yourself, to bring together fathers, families, and neighbors for a walk that explored care from multiple angles. Care for self, care for family, and care for the places that make daily life feel connected.
As the walk began, Jones shared a simple idea that set the tone for the morning. He said, “Community is everything. When you add to community, it adds to your life in the right way.” That perspective guided each step through Williamsburg, reminding participants that the act of walking together can be a way of investing in the neighborhood.
A Walk Through Williamsburg
The route started at Marsha P. Johnson State Park, where families gathered along the waterfront before moving into the heart of Williamsburg. Strollers and scooters mixed with coffee cups and early morning greetings, creating a space that felt open and familiar.
The first stop was Cantonese-American local favorite, Bonnie’s, where the scent of salt and pepper chicken and Ovaltine waffles filled the restaurant. A trumpet player played outside while children drank lemonade and parents added Polaroids to a growing photo wall. The scene captured what the walk was meant to highlight: the way food, music, and shared time can bring people into the same moment with ease.
Inside Bonnie’s, attendees spoke about what brought them out. One father said, “It’s been fun getting to meet other dads. There are not too many events catered to us, so it’s been good to get out in the neighborhood and try some of the different things that are around here.”
From Bonnie’s, walkers continued to McCarren Parkhouse for the final gathering of the day. Leon’s Bagels served mini bagels and coffee from a custom cart, while a DJ played inside. A custom shoe bar distributed Puma shoes and Square merch, and kids ran across the open space while parents talked nearby. Another attendee captured the mood by saying, “This was the perfect day, to be honest. Walking around Williamsburg, meeting a lot of dads. Everyone is coming from different walks of life, but we are all here with our number one priorities.”
Fatherhood in Focus
The Brooklyn Stroll Club formed around a simple idea. Fathers benefit from time with one another, and neighborhoods benefit when people feel connected. Joe explained his motivation by saying, “I want to break the stereotype on fatherhood, and really paint the picture of what it looks like modern. Let me do something different, like take care of myself and take care of community. How can I serve people better?”
Throughout the walk, conversations about work, balance, and family unfolded naturally. Some dads talked about raising children in the city. Others compared weekend routines or swapped recommendations for local spots. One father, walking with his twins, shared, “It is really fun to be out with a bunch of other dads. It is cool to walk around, get to know folks, and for the twins to meet kids around their age. We got a lot of great pictures and met a lot of cool families and dads.”
Jones offered a perspective that resonated with many who joined. He said, “When you can discipline yourself when you are winning and take a step back, it helps you figure out what is in front of you even more. You have to wake up every single day being a better you. Every single day.”
His words reflected the commitment many parents spoke about. The walk became a reminder that personal growth and community growth often move together.
A Neighborhood That Brings People Together
Williamsburg is a neighborhood shaped by small businesses and shared routines. The Brooklyn walk highlighted that connection by choosing locations that are part of daily life in the community. Bonnie’s and Leon’s Bagels welcomed families with meals that felt both comforting and familiar. Marsha P. Johnson State Park offered space to gather and reflect before the group set off.
The Brooklyn edition of Walk the Neighborhood reflects Square’s ongoing effort to celebrate the sellers and communities that give neighborhoods their identity. By walking together, fathers and families created a moment that felt both personal and collective, rooted in care and connection.
Whether you are a local or a visitor, you can follow the same route and experience what makes Williamsburg feel grounded and welcoming. Each stop offers a chance to meet the people who keep the community moving, one small moment at a time.
See You in the Neighborhood.
