Directions | History

[Looking for the Prospect Park TENNIS CENTER?]

The Tennis House stands on a wooded rise facing the southern end of the Long Meadow. This striking neoclassical structure, designed by Boathouse architects Helmle and Huberty, features a Palladian colonnaded pavilion with a Guastavino tile ceiling. The introduction of these large neoclassical buildings into Prospect Park marked a sharp departure from Olmsted’s preference for minimal, rustic structures; however Olmsted himself chose its hilltop site. 

Built in 1910, it was originally intended as a shelter to accompany a favorite turn-of-the-century pastime, lawn tennis. In the Park’s early years, there were up to 300 lawn tennis courts spread over the Long Meadow, where hundreds engaged in this badminton-like recreation. Although the popularity of the sport faded in the 1920s, the structure’s open-air design achieves an intimacy with the Park that makes it a peaceful stop. From 1978 to 2008, the Tennis House served as headquarters for the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment (BCUE).  Today it houses offices for park landscape management and maintenance staffs.

Click here to learn about the history of the Tennis House.

 

Directions

The Tennis House is located on the edge of the Long Meadow. It is most accessible from the 15th, 9th and 3rd Streets entrances. Walk towards the interior of the Park from any of these entrances along Prospect Park West and cross West Drive to the Long Meadow.

By Public Transportation: (MTA map)
• F or G Train to 15th St./Prospect Park station
• 2 or 3 Train to Grand Army Plaza station
• B-68, B-69 or B-75 Buses to Prospect Park West and 9th St.

By Car:
• From Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges: Take Flatbush Ave. to Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West exit to 9th St.
• From BQE: Take BQE to 38th St. exit. Make left on 4th Ave., then right on 9th St to Prospect Park West.