Author: Cornershop Creative

c. Fiora Watts

Spring Bloom Guide

April 2, 2026

As the daylight lengthens and the warmer temperatures of spring lure visitors to the park, one quickly notices the first pops of color that dot the winter weathered landscape. The snowdrops (Galanthus spp), crocus (Crocus spp) and Siberian squill (Scillia siberica) begin to emerge at the entrances and hillsides throughout the park. Daffodils (Narcissus) explode with color as the ornamental cherries (Prunus spp) and magnolias (Magnolia spp) buds begin to swell with the promise of bright white, rose and pink flowers. The witch hazel shrubs (Hamamelis spp) with their bright yellow, red and orange flowers have begun to fade as the buds of the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and the native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) brighten the forested edges with their small yellow blooms.  With so much happening it’s easy to overlook some of the more elusive native spring ephemerals that are beginning to appear in the forested natural areas.

This spring, we encourage you to visit our newly highlighted nature trail system, especially the Lower Midwood Trail, where one can walk through the cedar lined mulched trails searching for those rare blooms.

Grand Army Plaza / Long Meadow

Grand Army Plaza is Prospect Park’s formal entrance, and features some of the park’s most impressive architecture, and ornamental flowers and trees. Among them, early-blooming cherry trees and daffodils are the first to arrive, along with colorful tulip displays. April welcomes Eastern redbud and pink-flowering cherry trees that give way to the white Silverbells in May. As summer approaches, watch for the clustered flowers of the bottlebrush buckeye.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside

At Lakeside, the spring blooms attract park visitors and wildlife alike! Park goers who visit the green roof at Lakeside in early spring will be able to catch the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds of Witch Hazel. As April advances, Lakeside receives a fresh coating of delicate white blossoms from the many Serviceberry, Chokeberry, Witch Alder, and Foxglove Beardtongue that are buzzing with activity, as well as blooms of yellow from the Fragrant Sumac and Spicebush. Late spring brings with it a crescendo of flowering dogwoods and dewberries, and those with a keen eye might just spot a few of the subtle, deep purple blossoms of Lakeside’s paw paw trees!

Litchfield Villa

The historic Litchfield Villa is a well-known destination for flower lovers. In April, tulips electrify Carmen’s Garden, located directly in front of the pre-Civil War-era mansion, heralding the arrival of warm weather.

Long Meadow

Passing through the Meadowport or Endale Arch in mid-April, visitors are welcomed by the peach and white bouquet of magnolia and dogwood trees that line the Long Meadow’s north end. The warmer weather brings out lilacs, as well as the hanging flowers of the yellowwood tree.  Later in the season, enjoy the view under the shade of a flowering linden tree, and take in the sweet scent of the oakleaf hydrangea near the Picnic House.

Ravine

Those with a spirit for exploration will enjoy walking the Ravine Trail. Did you spot the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) growing along the Ambergill stream?  Look for spicebush with its clusters of yellow flowers brightening the forested natural area.  Watch the “Rocky Pass” southern slope come alive with newly planted Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), wild geraniums (Geranium maculatum), woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) and the small maroon star shaped flowers of the yellowroot (Zanthoriza simplicissima), all native northeastern species chosen for their ecological benefits in restoring the health and diversity of this fire affected slope.

Midwood Loop

The 0.5 mile Midwood Loop trail loops through the heart of Brooklyn’s last upland, old growth forest. In spring, ephemeral wildflowers bloom along the route in blue, white, yellow, pink and burgundy. As part of Prospect Park’s Forever Wild Preserve, this forest is an oasis for wildlife. Most of the trail loop is a flat, mulched surface defined by rustic cedar rails, with some paved sections. A small, steep segment of the trail provides a view of the watercourse.

Bartel-Pritchard Square

Prospect Park hosts several native wildflower meadows, pollinator focused transitions between the forested natural areas that integrate remnants of former shrub plantings. This area features a variety of springtime blooms and hard to miss the magnolias, weigela (Weigela spp), an ornamental shrub with beautiful trumpet-shaped lavender flowers, followed by the dark maroon blooms of the native Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus). These shrubs anchor the pollinator meadow plantings with early blooms to watch for being wild geranium and the delicate flowers of the eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Plan your visit to Prospect Park.

c. Paul Martinka

Enjoy a Winter Walk

February 18, 2026

One of the best walks on a winter’s day is a route that will take you to Lookout Hill, one of the highest points in Brooklyn, with unparalleled views of the City and beyond. Starting out at the Lincoln Road entrance, cross the drive and follow the path down and to the right under the historic Cleft Ridge Span–a bridge dating back to 1872 and decorated with a rare concrete style known as Beton Coignet. Take the path along the water to the left that leads through the Park’s historic Rustic Arbor (pictured above) and eventually to the Terrace Bridge.

Past the bridge is an important memorial of the Revolutionary War: the Maryland Monument. Designed by Stanford White in 1894, the monument pays tribute to the brave soldiers of the Maryland Regiment who lost their lives during the Battle of Brooklyn, fending off the British as George Washington led his troops to safety across the East River. The stairs beyond the monument will take you to the top of Lookout Hill.

Lookout Hill was of particular interest to the Park’s designers Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who envisioned the site offering sweeping panoramic views of New York Harbor and the Catskills. The sapling trees that dotted the hillside eventually grew into towering maples that obscure the views in winter. After enjoying the view, walk back past the Maryland Monument toward the Wellhouse.

Designed by Calvert Vaux, the Wellhouse was a marvel of technology at its completion in the 1870s. Drawing from one of the largest manmade wells in the world, it was the heart of the mechanical water system that flowed through every stream and waterfall in Prospect Park. Curiosity brought thousands of tourists to the site, which led to the construction of Terrace Bridge to accommodate the carriage traffic. Prospect Park Alliance completed the conversion the Wellhouse into an eco-friendly comfort station.

From the Wellhouse, complete your walk by continuing west and heading across the Park drive to Vanderbilt Playground, or extend it by continuing around Brooklyn’s only Lake and head to the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, where you can enjoy a hot drink at Duck Island Cafe & Bar and try ice skating, curling and more.

Post pictures of your walk on social media with #prospectpark, and enjoy!

Brittany Buongiorno

A Guide to Winter Activities in Prospect Park

February 11, 2026

It’s New York City’s coldest, snowiest winter in years. The Winter Olympics are heating up in Milan. What better time to embrace the cold-weather activities Prospect Park has to offer? Channel your inner Olympian and with one of these fun, frosty winter games.

Watch the Winter Olympics at Duck Island Cafe & Bar
Serving seasonal food and drinks every day of the week, Duck Island’s rinkside cafe at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers more than just a place to warm up this winter. From February 6-22, the cafe has added daily screenings of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to the menu. Stop by on February 15 from 3-5 pm to sip a special hot chocolate and support the USA Men’s Hockey team as they take on Germany with a special big-screen viewing party.

Ice Skating
Strap on a pair of skates: the ice skating season at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is in full swing! Come with friends for public skate laps around the two rinks, or sharpen your skills at our Olympic Skate Clinics, offered on February 16-20 from 9 am-12 pm. These clinics are open to all ages and skill levels. Just learning? We offer learn to skate programs for both adults and children. Interested in working on your figure skating? Sign up for a Freestyle practice session. Plus, take advantage of free skating for Prospect Park Alliance members and $5 discount skating for the general public every Monday.

Sledding
When the city gets more than a few inches of snow, head to the Park to be among the multitudes that get a rush from sliding down our steep slopes. Bring a sled, toboggan or whatever your preference and check out a list of our top sledding spots in Prospect Park.

Curling
Ready for a round of… curling? Believe it or not, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is home to the official Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club, which offers classes and tournaments. This sport, best known as an event in the Winter Olympics, is played in teams by players wearing shoes with grippers. Learn more about curling at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Figure Skating 
In addition to regular ice-skating, figure skating has found a home at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Figure skaters are encouraged to take to the ice in freestyle sessions, classes or during one of the shows, such as the Ice Spectacular, taking place Sunday, December 18. Learn more about figure skating at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Cross-Country Skiing 
While not an “official” sport, cross-country skiing enthusiasts can’t wait for enough snow to strap on their skis and head out with smooth strides into the Park. Expanses like Long Meadow and the Nethermead are excellent locations to bring this traditionally rural pastime into city parks.

Hockey 
Grab your pucks and pads! You can get into the game at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside with clinics, open hockey sessions, and (new this season!) Youth and Adult league play. Don’t know how to skate, but want to score a goal? Try Broomball Friday nights at Lakeside, played in sneakers on ice. Learn more about hockey at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

A Walk in the Park
There is no easier way to enjoy the serene and snowy season than with a walk in Prospect Park, no special skates, sticks, pads or gear required. Wander through the Park’s 585-acres, or let our curated Winter Walk guide your way on a tour up Lookout Hill, with views only available during this time of year. Learn more about the Winter Walk. 

Indoor Tennis
Snow and ice not quite your scene? Don’t worry; the Prospect Park Tennis Center has got you covered with heated indoor courts through mid-May. Participate in a variety of classes and leagues, or simply book a court to use with a friend. The Center will also offer special holiday programs during the Winter Recess. Learn more about the Tennis Center.

c. Elif Altinbasak

Prospect Park Alliance Celebrates Black History Month

Happy Black History Month! Prospect Park Alliance is celebrating this important heritage month by making a path through history in Prospect Park.

The Drummer’s Grove—A Prospect Park Tradition
In the 1960s, an Afro-Caribbean community emerged just east of Prospect Park in the neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush and Crown Heights. In 1968, some of these “Little Caribbean” residents began to meet weekly at the southeastern corner of Prospect Park for a drum circle. Calling themselves the Congo Square Drummers, they came together in Prospect Park “to rehearse, and just to play and rejoice,” says Abiodun McCray, one of the group’s founders. Recalling African ancestors who brought their musical traditions to the West Indies in the 17th century, this was a way for the Congo Square Drummers to celebrate community and remember home in the midst of the African Diaspora.

Over the years, the drum circle grew, and in 1997 Prospect Park Alliance added seating to the area and gave it the name of Drummer’s Grove as a part of a renovation of the Parkside and Ocean Avenue Entrance. In 2021, the Alliance renewed the area with new seating carved from park trees and additional benches. Today the beat goes on in Drummer’s Grove, and it continues to be a place where anyone can stop by on a Sunday during the warmer months to play, dance, or simply enjoy the music.

Above photo courtesy of Elif Altinbasak. See a video of the Prospect Park Drummer’s Circle in full swing on YouTube, courtesy of Humberto Middleton.

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The Sacred History of Gran Bwa
Did you know that Gran Bwa, a sacred Haitian gathering spot, is located next to Prospect Park Lake?
As a part of the 20th-century wave of West Indian immigrants to Brooklyn, many Haitians settled in the neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush and Crown Heights. Deenps Bazile, one of these Haitian immigrants, was walking through Prospect Park in the 1980s when he felt spirits instructing him to carve a tree trunk next to the Lake. Bazile sculpted a large human head, two small human faces, a lion and a legba (a Haitian Vodou spirit) in the tree stump. This sculpture sparked the use of the area by the Haitian community, and it came to be named after Gran Bwa, the Haitian Vodou spirit associated with trees, plants and herbs. Although the sculpture is no longer in the park, its site continues to be an important gathering spot for the Haitian community.

The largest celebration at Gran Bwa, called Bwa Kayiman, happens annually in August. At this ceremony, participants memorialize the Haitian revolution—which propelled it to become the first black nation to attain independence from their enslavers—and nourish Haitian Vodou spirits. Says Makini Armand, “Gran Bwa is a place to experience the healing power of nature and community, for us to restore ourselves through experiences that bond us with one another and with the natural community around us… it’s an important part of our cultural background to keep families together, and preserve the Haitian heritage and keep the culture alive.”

Photo via Prospect Park Alliance Archives. See a video of the annual celebration in Prospect Park, courtesy of CityLore on YouTube.

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Shirley Chisholm, Brooklyn’s Hometown Hero
A local hero, Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn to Barbadian parents. She spent her childhood in Barbados but returned to Brooklyn at age ten and lived much of her life in Crown Heights, to the northeast of Prospect Park and blocks away from the site of the historic Weeksville village. Chisholm was the first black Congresswoman in U.S. history, and both a leader and an advocate for residents of Brooklyn and the country at large. Her notable achievements in Congress included working to expand access to food stamps, helping to pass Title IX and extending minimum wage requirements to domestic workers. In 1972, Representative Chisholm became the first Black major-party candidate to run for President of the United States. True to her famous slogan, “unbought and unbossed,” Chisholm refused to abandon the interests of her constituents, no matter what establishment politicians did to intimidate her or mitigate her efforts.

Prospect Park Alliance is honored to welcome a monument to Shirley Chisholm to the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to the park —a location where the Alliance is undertaking a significant restoration as part of the work to improve the park’s eastern perimeter. After an open call for submissions and public feedback, artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous were selected to design the park’s new monument—the first to be commissioned as part of the She Built NYC program, which seeks to expand representation of women in the City’s public art collection. The monument is slated to be installed in the coming year, and the Alliance is also created a new pavilion at the entrance that will include community gathering space, public restrooms and exhibit panels on Chisholm’s life and accomplishments. The pavilion is currently in the design phase, and slated to break ground in 2027.

Photo: a still from “Chisholm ‘72” from Realside Productions.

ReImagine Lefferts

In 2021, the Alliance launched the ReImagine Lefferts initiative, funded through a Humanities in Place grant from the Mellon Foundation. The initiative seeks to re-envision the mission and programming of the museum to focus on exploring the lives, resistance and resilience of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking, whose unceded ancestral lands the park and house rests upon, and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. By focusing on stories of resistance, resilience, empowerment and joy, while also recognizing the legacies of dispossession, enslavement and oppression, the Alliance seeks to create a safe space for engaging with our collective past as well as contemporary issues affecting our communities today. To date, the Alliance has identified 25 people enslaved at the house between its 1783 construction and the 1827 abolition of slavery in New York. In 2024, the Alliance commissioned artist Adama Delphine Fawundu to create a site-specific installation inspired by this research, encompassing 25 fabric banners that transform the house’s Flatbush Avenue facade, honoring the heroism of these Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. Each spring through fall, the Alliance offers a range of cultural programs and exhibits that honors these histories. Visit our Lefferts web page for more information.  

Photo: Adama Delphine Fawundu: Ancestral Whispers, 2024. Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

Free Summer Meals in Prospect Park

July 8, 2025

Fuel up this summer in Prospect Park! Did you know that eating healthy foods can increase your lifespan, reduce risks of chronic disease and even boost your mood and support mental health? For the second year in a row, Brooklyn’s Backyard is a home to a free, summer meal truck.

Youth ages 18 and under can enjoy free meals in Prospect Park this summer! Every day from June 27 through August 29, free meals will be distributed by the NYC Department of Education in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance at the Parkside and Ocean Avenue Entrance to Prospect Park. Visit the NYC DOE meals truck from 10 am–4 pm on weekdays and 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

View the Food Truck Menu.

Learn more about free summer meals.

MANJE ETE GRATIS
Pou tout moun ki gen 18 tan – anba.
KOTE
Lari kwa nan Parkside Ave ak
lanmè Avwa
DAT yo
27 jen rive 29 out
7 Jou nan semèn nan
Pa gen sèvis 4 jiyè
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM jou lasemèn
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wann

COMIDAS DE VERANO GRATIS
Para todos los menores de 18 años.
UBICACIÓN
Cruce las calles de Parkside Ave y
Avenida del Océano
FECHAS
Del 27 de junio al 29 de agosto
7 días de la semana
Sin servicio el 4 de julio
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM De lunes a viernes
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Fines de semana

New Video Exhibit: Voices of Lunáapeew/Lenape

July 2, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance and the Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective (EL Collective), which brings together Lunáapeew/Lenape communities who have been displaced across Turtle Island (North America), present Eelunaapéewi Ehaptoonáakanal: Voices of Lunáapeew/Lenape, an exhibit on view at Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park celebrating 400 years of Indigenous resilience. The exhibit features video interviews with Lunáapeew/Lenape knowledge-keepers and culture bearers about their relationships to their ancestral homelands.

Join an opening celebration on Saturday, July 12, from 2–5 pm.

Free, RSVP: prospectpark.org/voices-of-lenape.

The exhibition is part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative, which is transforming the museum to explore the lives, resistance and resilience of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking, whose unceded ancestral lands the park and house rests upon, and Africans who were enslaved by the Lefferts family.

In addition to the exhibit, the Alliance, EL Collective and the American-Indian Community House will be hosting the Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park on September 13 and 14, 2025. Pow Wows are gatherings where Lenape/Lunáapeew and neighboring Indigenous nations socialize and celebrate life. Prospect Park hosted formal Pow Wows from 1916 to 1972. In 2018, the Park Avenue Armory hosted the First United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow. Reviving this tradition in the park will offer all Lenape/Lunáapeew an opportunity to celebrate their culture in their homelands and offer Brooklynites of all backgrounds the chance to enjoy the drumming, dancing, singing, art, crafts and foods of the original stewards of this land. In 2024, Prospect Park Alliance held a culture fair with the American Indian House and EL Collective as a precursor to the Pow Wow.

Lunáapeew/Lenape means human beings or, more specifically, “the ones who came from thought,” and is the name of the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral homelands encompassed what is today Brooklyn and the surrounding region. Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing, “the land of the Lunáapeew,” holds the stories of a civilization rich with a deep understanding of the delicate balance and mutual relationships necessary to nurture and sustain a healthy world.

“We are a nation who has been scattered to the winds because of the greed of not just the Dutch, but also the English after that and so forth, who chased us and massacred us for our land,” said George Stonefish, co-founder, Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective, and ReImagine Lefferts advisor. “I want people to understand who the Lenape were and are, and the things we’ve given to modern culture that aren’t acknowledged.”

This video installation features Lunáapeew/Lenape knowledge-keepers and culture bearers who are members of the EL Collective. Interviewees discuss their histories, experiences and feelings about their homelands. They also celebrate the resilience of their communities, which remain committed to stewarding their cultures and their homelands despite 400 years of violent displacement and colonization.

“We are honored to join our partners at the Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective to share with our community the history, resistance and resilience of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking, as well as the enduring art, culture and stories of the Lenapehoking today,” said Morgan Monaco, Prospect Park Alliance President. “This exhibit and our upcoming Pow Wow are an important step in healing deep-seated wounds from our nation’s past and ensuring that all in our community see themselves represented, welcomed and celebrated here in Prospect Park.”

“New Yorkers are deeply interested in the original people of this land,” said Dylan Yeats Ph.D., Prospect Park Alliance Director of Museum Programs and Operations. “This free and accessible exhibit offers audiences a chance to hear directly from the Lunáapeew or Lenape themselves about their histories, cultures, experiences and opinions.”

This exhibition complements the other core ReImagine Lefferts history and art exhibits including Ancestral Whispers, a site-specific work by Adama Delphine Fawundu on the house’s Flatbush Avenue porch which honors the heroism and lives of the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family, and also interpretive profiles of the 25 enslaved Africans discovered to date through original research and scholarship.

About Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective
The Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective is establishing a partnership with all Delaware/ Munsee-Delaware/Lenni-Lenape/Lenape/Lunáapeew (Lunáapeew) communities in various projects that involve the Lunáapeew Nation that have been displaced across Turtle Island (North America). The Lunáapeew are the original inhabitants of Manahahtaanung, “At the place we’re gathering wood to make bows,” what is now an area that includes the five boroughs of New York City, large portions of the states of New York, southern Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. It is our hope these projects will allow us to unite in a way that allows for sharing of knowledge and an understanding of each community’s unique history of displacement. Learn more at lunaapeewahkiing.com.

Photo Caption (l to r): Chief Urie Ridgeway, Leadership, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; Cory Ridgeway, Director, EL Collective; Brent Stonefish, Co-Founder, EL Collective; George Stonefish, Co-Founder, EL Collective.

Grand Army Plaza Arch is Restored

June 5, 2025

On June 5, NYC Parks and Prospect Park Alliance held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the iconic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn’s most significant monumental public artwork. Through $8.9 million in Mayoral funding, the Alliance restored the Arch and the surrounding plaza and landscaped berms.

It is the first significant restoration of this Brooklyn icon in nearly 50 years, and included replacing the roof and reinforcing the historic structure, as well as repointing its beautiful granite stonework to remove years of build-up, staining and spalling; repairing interior elements, including decorative bronze and cast-iron spiral staircases and entrance gates; and designing new, energy-efficient lighting to better showcase the historic elements of the arch and its statuary. In addition, during the Arch’s restoration, the NYC Parks Citywide Monuments Conservation Program cleaned and restored the Arch’s monumental statuary. The project recently received a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the Landmarks Conservancy, its highest honor for excellence in preservation.

NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers will be holding special tours of the Arch on Saturday, June 28. Register for the lottery: prospectpark.org/arch-tour.

“The Grand Army Plaza Arch stands not only as a gateway to Prospect Park, but as a powerful symbol of Brooklyn’s history, resilience, and pride,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our administration is dedicated to revitalizing public spaces like the Grand Army Plaza Arch and ensuring that New Yorkers continue to have access to green space throughout the city. This restoration demonstrates our city’s commitment to preserving the landmarks that shape our identity and inspire future generations. Today, we honor the past while building a better, more beautiful future for all New Yorkers.”

“For decades, the Grand Army Plaza Arch has welcomed visitors to Brooklyn’s Backyard while paying tribute to the New Yorkers who gave their lives in the Civil War. Now, thanks to our partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance, this Brooklyn icon has gotten a major facelift, restoring the beautiful statuary and artwork to its original glory,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “By caring for the monuments, statues, and artworks that enhance our public spaces, we’re not just preserving our history – we are communicating to New Yorkers that they deserve the best from their public realm. Parks is proud to maintain over 800 monuments citywide, and we look forward to further partnerships with both the public and private sectors to continue our work as stewards for the city’s outdoor museum.”

“The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza is a Brooklyn icon and now once again a shining jewel of the borough. We are so grateful to the Mayor’s Office for providing the funding so that the Alliance could restore the Arch to its original glory, and ensure that it serves as an essential civic space for our community for generations to come,” said Morgan Monaco, Prospect Park Alliance President and Park Administrator. “While triumphal arches typically recognize great military victories and generals, this arch is dedicated to the rank and file, honoring the young men of Brooklyn who lost their lives defending the union in the Civil War. This makes the arch a true monument of the people, welcoming all into Prospect Park and signifying that this is a place where all in our community are celebrated and seen.”

“The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch has long stood as one of Brooklyn’s most powerful, historical, and iconic symbols,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This restoration not only brings new life to one of our borough’s most treasured monuments but also revitalizes the heart of Grand Army Plaza for generations of Brooklynites to come. Thanks to Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks for their hard work maintaining this historic landmark.”

“I’m thrilled that the restoration of the Grand Army Plaza Arch is now complete, and deeply grateful to the Prospect Park Alliance and the Parks Department for delivering this project on time for the surrounding community and the entire borough of Brooklyn,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This arch is more than a landmark. It’s a gateway to Brooklyn’s Backyard and a powerful tribute to a turning point in American history, reflecting the values we continue to cherish today. I’m especially proud that this restoration was recognized with the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, the highest honor for preservation efforts from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Brooklyn deserves nothing less.”

“The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is an iconic portal to one of the city’s most beautiful parks — one that deserves to stand in its full glory. For many, this historic arch represents the heart and soul of Brooklyn past, present, and future,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “Thanks to the Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks, New Yorkers will visit the park and admire this landmark for generations to come.”

“The Arch is more than just the gateway to Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park—it’s an iconic symbol of Brooklyn’s greatness and of what we can accomplish when we work together,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “Public works like the Arch are a part of our history and our collective heritage, and New Yorkers deserve beautiful, well-maintained public spaces that both honor that history and meet our needs today. This restoration does exactly that, and ensures the Arch will stand proudly as we walk together into the future. Thanks to the Parks Department, the Prospect Park Alliance for this crucial, powerful work.”

“It’s wonderful to see this restoration of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza. Thanks to the Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Parks, and all who collaborated for their work on this project,” said Assemblymember Robert Carroll. “The Arch is an iconic historic monument and maintaining and enhancing our public spaces is essential to what makes Brooklyn and New York City great.”

“The restoration of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is a powerful tribute to Brooklyn’s enduring commitment to history, beauty, and public space. This investment ensures that one of our borough’s most iconic and cherished landmarks, a true staple of Brooklyn life, will continue to inspire generations to come. As a proud Brooklynite, I’m grateful to see this monument restored with such care and vision. I commend the Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Parks, and all partners involved for their dedication to preserving the legacy of Grand Army Plaza,” said Assemblymember Brian Cunningham.

“The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is one of the most powerful symbols of Brooklyn’s commitment to freedom and racial equality,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “I’m thankful to the NYC Parks Department and Prospect Park Alliance for their dedication in overseeing the restoration of this incredible monument and maintaining Grand Army Plaza as a vital community hub.”

Background on the Arch and Grand Army Plaza Restoration

Famed Prospect Park architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed Grand Army Plaza as the grand entrance to Prospect Park at the time of the park’s creation in 1867. In 1892, the plaza became the site of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch, dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives defending the Union during the Civil War. 

The arch was designed by American architect John H. Duncan, who also designed Grant’s Tomb. At the time it was considered Brooklyn’s Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris. The arch is adorned with three bronze statuary ensembles by the Brooklyn-born Beaux Arts sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies, who was also a highly accomplished painter and portraitist. The arch also includes statuary by artists Philip Martiny and William Rudolf O’Donovan, as well as equestrian bas-reliefs by famed American artist Thomas Eakins. It is one of New York City’s three major triumphal arches.

The arch was landmarked in 1975, when the structure was in such severe disrepair that the statue on top of the arch, the quadriga of Columbia, literally fell from her chariot. In 1976, the City undertook a comprehensive restoration. The fall of the quadriga became the symbol of the greater need for support for Prospect Park, which led to the founding of the group that would become Prospect Park Alliance. 

To restore the Arch, the Alliance’s in-house team of award-winning architects conducted significant research to uncover the historic design. Original blueprints were lost to time, requiring the Alliance to create a detailed scan of the inner structure using radar and magnetic investigation. Through these scans, and physical surveys and drawings from previous restorations, the Alliance embarked on a comprehensive restoration. This included reinforcing the historic structure with new steel beams and creating a new internal drainage system. After laboratory testing, the team determined the composition of the stonework mortar, Rosendale cement from the namesake town in upstate New York, and utilized this in the restoration. In addition, cracked and broken stonework was replaced to match the existing stone from a quarry near the original source in Maine. On the interior, bronze and cast-iron spiral staircases and entrance gates were carefully disassembled for restoration: original elements were meticulously cleaned, missing elements recreated, and then the renewed piece was reassembled on site. 

The Alliance also restored the landscaped berms that frame the plaza on its east, west and north sides. This work included removing invasive plants, trees and shrubs; and planting 194 native trees, as well as new plants and shrubs that provide interest and color throughout the seasons. The Alliance also replaced a chain link fence with low, decorative steel fencing. At the plaza, the Alliance restored the broken bluestone and granite paving around Bailey Fountain and the John F. Kennedy Memorial and added a new ADA-accessible curb cut at the north entrance to the plaza.

Learn more about Capital Projects + improvements underway in Prospect Park.

Scenic Lullwater Viewing Platform Restored

June 4, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance recently finished the restoration of one of the most scenic lookouts in Brooklyn’s Backyard, known as the Lullwater viewing platform. From this vantage point, park goers can view the picturesque Lullwater and Boathouse, as well as the breathtaking Binnen Falls. It is an ideal place to spot some of the many birds, turtles and other wildlife that call Prospect Park home.

“The Lullwater viewing platform was originally built in 2002 and is situated at the base of the Binnen Falls,” said Christian Zimmerman, Vice President of Capital and Landscape Management. Although not an original design by Prospect Park creators Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the platform was built in the same rustic style that the two famed landscape architects utilized throughout the park. Before the iconic Boathouse we see today was completed in 1905, the location of the viewing platform was the end point of a boat landing and a shelter for ice skaters to warm up when ice skating was permitted on the Lake. “The boat landing and shelter was one of the best spots to view Binnen Falls and look out over the Lullwater, which was what inspired the creation of the new viewing platform in 2002,” said Zimmerman.

The Lullwater viewing platform is one of three rustic structures that was built in Prospect Park in the early 2000s. All are tucked away in the woodlands along the watercourse or Lake, providing Brooklynites a scenic escape in nature. The second can be found above the Binnen Falls in the area called the Lily Pond and the third can be found behind a cove when walking South from the Boathouse or southeast from the Nethermead towards the Lullwater.

Archival images of the boatlanding and ice warming house on the Lullwater. c. Prospect Park Archives/Bob Levine Collection, Prospect Park Archives

Rustic structures generally have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years depending on how much wear and tear they experience. Having hit the 23-year mark, the platform was due for restoration to bring back this beloved lookout to its original glory. “We built the platform from Atlantic Eastern cedar and standard pine decking. The joints are connected by smaller pieces of wood that lock into each other instead of nails or other hardware to keep the natural, rustic appearance,” explained Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, pictured above (right), and the Alliance’s Design and Construction team designed the platform (left) to provide Brooklynites one of the most scenic viewpoints in Brooklyn’s Backyard. c. Prospect Park Alliance

This restoration was made possible thanks to Prospect Park Alliance’s ReNew Prospect Park initiative, which deploys private funds to serve our Brooklyn community in light of reduced city resources and increased use of the park. Through this initiative, the Alliance is able to complete a range of essential maintenance projects across the park to improve the daily visitor experience in the park.

Learn more about Prospect Park Alliance’s recent Re:New Prospect Park improvements.

Caribpolitan, Andrea Pippins for I AM CARIBBEING

Caribbean American Heritage Month in Prospect Park

May 23, 2025

This June, Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month in Prospect Park! Join Prospect Park Alliance with JouvayFest Collective, BUSH WO/MAN Conversations Project, 2J + Friends, Maple Street Afterschool, Brooklyn Book Bodega, I AM CaribBEING and more to kick off a month of celebration in Brooklyn’s Backyard. Enjoy Caribbean music, food, dance, history, film and much more during this cultural celebration for Brooklynites of all ages.

Celebrating the film “The Big Drum, From Carriacou to Bklyn”
Sunday, June 8, 2–6 pm
Lefferts Historic House, Free, RSVP!
In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, join JouvayFest Collective, BUSH WO/MAN Conversations Project, 2J & Friends and Prospect Park Alliance as we spotlight the Big Drum Festival from Carriacou—a vibrant expression of African heritage in the Caribbean. Explore the historical connections and cultural legacies of music, dance and tradition preserved through generations.

Boxitects in the Park
Sunday, June 22, 2–5 pm
Prospect Park Boathouse, Free, RSVP!
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Maple Street Afterschool for an uplifting community event to celebrate Caribbean heritage, community, literacy and play! Enjoy a story session reading Boxitects, the story of Meg, a brilliant and creative boxitect who creates extraordinary things out of ordinary cardboard boxes. Plus, celebrate Caribbean Heritage month! Enjoy Caribbean makers stations, art projects, movement workshops, vibrant storytelling and more. Free books will also be provided by the Brooklyn Book Bodega.

One Love Fest
Sunday, June 29, 11–7 pm
Prospect Park Boathouse, Free, RSVP!
One Love Fest is back for year 4, and I AM CaribBEING and Prospect Park Alliance are bringing the best of Caribbean culture to the Boathouse in Prospect Park. Get ready for live music that’ll keep you moving, dance workshops and performances that are full of flavor. You’ll find Caribbean vendors, makers, and some of the best island food in Brooklyn! It’s fun for all, so come along and let’s vibe together! Come through & celebrate Caribbean vibes like never before.

Movie Nights in Prospect Park Return for 2025

May 15, 2025

Spend your summer nights in Prospect Park with Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn, the free, outdoor movie series presented by Paramount+, BK Mag, and BSE Global in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Prospect Park Alliance.

“There’s no better way to spend a summer night than a movie in the park,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m so thrilled Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn are returning for yet another year with an exciting lineup of movies at some of Brooklyn’s most iconic public spaces. A major thank you to BK Mag, BSE Global and Paramount+, as well as Prospect Park Alliance, Fort Greene Park Conservancy, McCarren Park, and Alliance for Coney Island for ensuring this summer staple only gets sweeter with time.”

“We are grateful to Borough President Reynoso for continuing this long-cherished tradition of bringing our community together for free movie nights under the stars in Brooklyn’s backyard, and to Paramount+, BSE Global and BK Mag for their support of this truly beloved summer series,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains, restores and advances Prospect Park.

Prospect Park Movie Lineup:

Mean Girls
Wednesday, July 30
Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.
RSVP

The Smurfs
Wednesday, August 6
When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world into New York City.
RSVP

Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Rescheduled Date: Tuesday, August 26
Taking refuge on Earth, when Sonic uses his incredible speed and accidentally knocks out the power in part of the United States, he catches the attention of Dr. Robotnik and must stop him from using his unique power for world domination.
RSVP

Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade – Canceled due to inclement weather
Wednesday, August 20
In 1938, after his father goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against the Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.
RSVP

Miss Congeniality
Wednesday, August 27
Gracie Hart, a tomboyish detective, is forced to infiltrate the Miss United States beauty pageant as a contestant after her department learns that the event is under threat from an anonymous bomber.
RSVP

This event series is free and open to the public, and RSVPs are not required for entry.

The films will begin shortly after sundown at the north end of the Prospect Park Long Meadow, located nearest to the Grand Army Plaza entrance and Third Street  Entrance.

Please note that the movie may be cancelled in the case of inclement weather.