History

The Parade Ground is an example of a traditional urban design element of the 19th century. Parade grounds were long the centerpieces of military architecture, providing large swaths of land for drills and exercises at the center of barracks. As the movement for public parks grew in the face of massive population shifts from rural to urban areas, parade grounds were considered an essential part of densely populated areas.

The original Park proposal located the Parade Ground in what is now the East New York section of Brooklyn. Instead, Park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux identified a large rectangular lot just south of the proposed Park. It was important to them that the Parade Ground not be located in the Park proper for fear that these intensive activities would damage grass and plants and detract from the pastoral aspect of the design. The construction of the Parade Ground, along with a lodge and shelter, was completed in 1869. In 1885, as military use of the site declined, a field sports shelter called Bowling Green Cottage was added.

In 1905, the Parade Ground’s original wood frame shelter was replaced by the Athletic Building, designed by the Park’s design team of Helmle, Huberty and Hudswell, who were also responsible for the Boathouse and the Tennis House. In 1962, the Athletic Building was replaced by a new police precinct and recreation center. 

During the glory days of Brooklyn baseball, the Parade Ground launched the careers of such major league legends as Sandy Koufax, Joe Torre, and Johnny Franco. To view a complete list of pro ballplayers who got their big breaks at the Parade Ground, click here.



                                                                                                                                    Parade Ground, 1928


Restoration
In 1999, the site was considered for the construction of a temporary NY Mets minor league stadium. Amidst community protest and the subsequent plan for the construction of a minor league stadium in Coney Island, the Parade Ground became the focus of a major campaign to raise funds for a complete renovation of its deteriorated ballfields. With over $10 million in funding from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, and additional funds sponsored by several City Council Members, the National Football League, the Starr Foundation and the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, the renovation began in 2001 and was completed in 2004.

After a four-year, $12.5 million reconstruction project designed and managed by the Prospect Park Alliance, the Parade Ground’s 135-year-old historic fields reopened in 2004 for the next generation of Brooklyn’s aspiring athletes. The fabled fields have enjoyed a long history, from hosting wildly popular military displays in the 1870s to the glory days of Brooklyn baseball, when it launched the careers of such major league legends as Sandy Koufax, Joe Torre, and John Franco. Designed with intensive community input, the Parade Ground is once again one of New York City’s premiere sports complexes, serving local high schools, youth soccer leagues, sandlot baseball teams, adult and youth softball leagues, football leagues, and many other community groups.

The new 40-acre Parade Ground features eleven reconstructed athletic fields, including a premiere baseball diamond with a state-of-the-art scoreboard, covered dugouts, bleachers, and night lighting. Also renovated are three additional baseball fields, two softball fields, one football field, one soccer field, and three giant multi-purpose fields. And, with new artificial turf, five of the new fields can be used year-round. The Parade Ground reconstruction also includes basketball and volleyball courts, as well as full-service concessions facilities and new picnic areas, seating, and landscaping.

In October 2001, Bowling Green Cottage was re-opened as the site of the new Prospect Park Youth Center. Members of the Prospect Park Youth Council participated in a three-year renovation, building a facility that provides educational, employment and volunteer opportunities to Brooklyn’s teenagers.

When the renovated Parade Ground opened in 2004, many friends of the Park wrote in to share their wonderful Parade Ground memories. Click here to read their stories.