The Lakeside Center is envisioned as a year-round destination for recreation, events, and Park programming.   Plans call for two new state-of-the-art ice-skating rinks to replace the outdated Wollman Rink, built in 1961, which is well beyond its industry-standard lifespan.

The current open air ice skating rink is open less than four months a year, and can operate only in good weather, while frequent failures of outdated equipment cause disruptions and delays in service. The new Lakeside Center will replace the skating rink with a new four-season facility, expanding the skating season to five months. Two rinks will accommodate hockey and figure skating during the winter season, and warm weather activities include water features and roller-skating.

Lakeside is designed not just for skaters, but for all visitors who want to get closer to nature and explore the edge of Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. While the current rink cuts visitors off from the edge of scenic Prospect Lake, Lakeside will bring visitors right to the lake shore by restoring and expanding a curving pedestrian terrace, which will provide direct access to the boat dock, making the Lake more accessible for recreational boating and catch-and-release fishing.


Lakeside in Winter

Lakeside in Summer

Pending funding, construction on Lakeside is expected to begin in 2009 and be completed by late 2011. If you are interested in supporting Lakeside at Prospect Park, please contact Caledonia Kearns at (718) 965-8985 or via email.