Hours | Directions | Rules | Permit & Rental

The Nethermead, a rolling meadow located near the center of Prospect Park, is a popular destination for dog walkers, Frisbee players, and large gatherings. Park visitors are often surprised to emerge upon this remote clearing as they are exploring nearby Park attractions, such as the Ravine, the Music Pagoda, and the Audubon Center at the Boathouse. Surrounded on all sides by water and green hills, the Nethermead gives the impression of being deep in the forest.

Enclosing the Nethermead are some of the oldest trees in the Park, along with mature lindens, sweetgums, and young cherry trees. Animal lovers are especially attracted to the Nethermead; bird watchers find the mix of trees perfectly suited to spotting native and migratory birds, while dog walkers appreciate a vibrant off-leash scene during designated hours. The Nethermead also hosts the annual Halloween Haunted Walk & Carnival, among other special events.

Directions

The Nethermead is most accessible from the 16th Street and Prospect Park Southwest entrance, the Bartel-Pritchard Circle entrance (intersection of Prospect Park West and Prospect Park Southwest near 15th Street), the 3rd and 9th Street entrances on Prospect Park West or the Willink entrance (intersection of Ocean and Flatbush Avenues and Empire Boulevard).

By Public Transportation: MTA Maps
• F or G Train to 15th Street-Prospect Park station or 7th Avenue station
• 2 or 3 Train to Grand Army Plaza station
• Q, S or B Train to Prospect Park station
• B68 Bus along Prospect Park Southwest
• B61 Bus along 9th Street to 9th Street/Prospect Park West
• B16 Bus to Ocean Avenue and Empire Boulevard
• B41 Bus along Flatbush Avenue to Grand Army Plaza or Empire Boulevard
• B43 Bus to Ocean Avenue and Empire Boulevard

By Car:
From Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges: Take Flatbush Avenue to Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West exit to 3rd, 9th or 15th Street.

From Brooklyn-Queens Expressway: Take BQE to 38th Street exit, make left on 4th Avenue and right on any street between 14th Street and 3rd Street to Prospect Park West.

Hours

Prospect Park is closed daily from 1 to 5 a.m.

• All sports are prohibited on lawns when wet.
• No cleats are allowed in Prospect Park.
• Cricket is not allowed in Prospect Park for safety reasons. Cricket is allowed at Canarsie Beach and Marine Park. Please call (718) 965-8912 for permits and availability.
• Metal detectors are not allowed on manicured lawns or in wooded areas.
• Sports are prohibited on all lawns in Prospect Park from December 1st through March 31st. The lawns need time to rest and rejuvenate! The Parade Ground has several synthetic fields open during these months. Please call (718) 965-8973 for permits and availability.
• The Long Meadow Ballfields are available for organized sports on a seasonal basis:
  • April through Labor Day : baseball and softball only
  • September through November: soccer only
• Volleyball, frisbee, football, and rugby are allowed on the Nethermead.

Permit & Rental
Gatherings of 20 or more people in the Park are required to obtain permits from the Special Events Office 21to 30 days in advance. Please call (718) 965-8944 or click here for more information.