Author: Deborah Kirschner

Governor Hochul Announces $4 Million for Lakeshore

September 25, 2026

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $4 million to support the restoration of Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn. This additional state funding will provide safe, ADA access to residents and park visitors, improve water quality and resilience from flooding and major storms, and provide a haven for wildlife. The total cost of the restoration is $25 million, including funding from New York State, which also includes a $1 million allocation from Senator Zellnor Myrie.

“Prospect Park is a natural wonderland in the heart of Brooklyn and I am proud to support its continued restoration,” Governor Hochul said. “By restoring the shoreline of Prospect Park Lake, we are improving its water quality and natural resiliency, securing safe access to the lake for residents and visitors alike and providing a refuge for local wildlife. I know the importance of clean, safe and accessible parks and natural gathering spaces for communities across the state and Prospect Park is a jewel that everyone will enjoy for generations to come.”

Prospect Park Lake is Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake and home to a wide range of fish, amphibians and birds. This funding will complete the final phases of the Lakeshore Restoration Master Plan, and aims to mitigate stormwater issues that have negatively impacted surrounding communities during major storm events. It will address that degradation by reducing the paved roadway parallel to the Lake at Wellhouse Drive and capturing runoff from the surrounding hills. Additionally, the project includes reconstructing the bridle trail with new stormwater management infrastructure, replacing extensive asphalt with rain gardens that reflect the park’s original horticultural design and installing new site furniture for the public. Dark-sky friendly light poles will be developed as a part of this design.

DASNY President and CEO Robert J Rodriguez said, “DASNY is proud to administer this critical investment in the restoration of Prospect Park Lake, one of Brooklyn’s most treasured public spaces. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to strengthening communities through investments that improve accessibility, environmental resiliency and the quality of life for New Yorkers.”

State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, “Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and I’m proud we are investing in urgently needed improvements. This funding will ensure that future generations of New Yorkers will continue to enjoy Prospect Park’s natural beauty, and that the Lake will be accessible, clean and safe.”

Assemblymember Robert Carroll said, “A huge thanks to Governor Hochul for this critical $4 million investment to restore Prospect Park Lake. As climate change drives increasingly severe storms and unpredictable weather across New York City, our green spaces must serve as our first line of defense. This vital funding will transform Prospect Park Lake into a resilient hub for nature-based stormwater management — protecting surrounding Brooklyn communities from devastating flash flooding while preserving our natural ecosystems. Furthermore, by creating new, ADA-accessible pathways and bridges, this project ensures that Brooklyn’s premier park remains a safe, equitable and resilient sanctuary for the millions of New Yorkers who visit every year.”

Assemblymember Brian A. Cunningham said, “Prospect Park Lake is a place where Brooklyn families can connect with nature close to home. This investment will make the lake more accessible, improve its water quality and help protect it from flooding and severe storms. I thank Governor Hochul for supporting a restoration that will serve residents and wildlife for years to come.”

Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco said, “We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for providing the funding to help us fully realize our Lakeshore restoration. Prospect Park’s 60-acre lake, Brooklyn’s only lake, is not just an important scenic and recreational amenity for our community, but also plays a critical role in environmental resiliency. This restoration will make the park more resilient to the more frequent, severe storms we have experienced due to climate change.”

The park improvements complement Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, which encourages New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings and put their mental and physical health first.

Learn more about the upcoming Bluebelt and Lakeshore restoration.

Summer Movies in the Park Returns!

July 8, 2026


Enjoy Free, Outdoor Movie Screenings Under the Stars in Fort Greene Park and Prospect Park presented by NewYork-Presbyterian

Prospect Park Alliance, Fort Greene Park Conservancy, and Rooftop Films announce Summer Movies in the Park, presented by NewYork-Presbyterian. This free, outdoor movie series in Prospect Park and Fort Greene Park takes place on Wednesday nights this summer, with screenings on August 5 and August 12 in Prospect Park, and August 26 and September 9 in Fort Greene Park.

“NewYork-Presbyterian is proud to support Prospect Park Alliance for another year of Summer Movies in the Park, and the opportunity it creates for neighbors, families and friends to come together and enjoy Brookyln’s public spaces,” said Juan Mejia, President of NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. “Seeing an outdoor movie in the park brings Brooklyn residents together, fostering the social connections that help communities thrive and support overall.”

“Hanging out with friends and family to see an outdoor movie is the best way to cool off on a summer evening. We’re so grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian for supporting the continuation of this popular series in our parks, and to our partners Prospect Park Alliance and Rooftop Films for making it happen,” said Rosamond Fletcher, Executive Director, Fort Greene Park Conservancy.

“There’s no better way to spend a summer night than a movie in the park,” said Morgan Monaco, President, Prospect Park Alliance. “We thank NewYork-Presbyterian for their support of this long-cherished tradition of bringing our community together for free movie nights under the stars in Brooklyn’s Backyard, and are grateful to Fort Greene Park Conservancy and Rooftop Films for their partnership.”

2026 Summer Movies in the Park Lineup
This year’s screenings provide fun entertainment that all ages will enjoy, as well as special anniversary commemorations. All films will begin shortly after sundown, and attendees are welcome to come early to picnic and for pre-movie entertainment. Please note that the movie may be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Attendees will be notified via Eventbrite and the Prospect Park and Fort Greene Park social media channels.

Wednesday, August 5
Shrek 2 (PG)
Prospect Park, North End of Long Meadow at Grand Army Plaza Entrance
RSVP
Enjoy this beloved animated feature starring Shrek and his love, Fiona! Now married, they travel to Fiona’s kingdom, Far Far Away. The catch: her parents are unaware of the curse that struck their daughter and have assumed she married Prince Charming, not a 700-pound ogre with a talking donkey pal.

Wednesday, August 12
Akeelah and the Bee (PG): 20th Anniversary Screening
Prospect Park, North End of Long Meadow at Grand Army Plaza Entrance
RSVP
Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne star in this inspirational movie about an 11-year-old girl from South Central Los Angeles who makes it all the way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, August 26
Space Jam (PG): 30th Anniversary Screening
Fort Greene Park, Central Lawn at Washington Park and Dekalb Avenue Entrance
RSVP
This iconic live-action movie features NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who is recruited by Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, the Tune Squad, for a high-stakes game against an evil theme park owner and his minions, the Monstars, in outer space.

Wednesday, September 9
The Namesake (PG-13): 20th Anniversary Screening
Fort Greene Park, Central Lawn at Washington Park and Dekalb Avenue Entrance
RSVP

Based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, a suburban teenager finds himself caught between his Indian roots and his American birthright as he searches for his own identity: from Calcutta to New York, the family must somehow strike a balance between age-old traditions and modern-day sensibilities as they search for a patch of common ground.

The screening will be preceded by a special Q&A session between the author of The Namesake (Jhumpa Lahiri), the film’s Director (Mira Nair), and lead actor (Kal Penn).

About NewYork-Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems, encompassing 10 hospitals and nearly 350 locations including primary and specialty care clinics and medical groups with world-class doctors from Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine, and an array of telemedicine services.*
A leader in medical education, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is affiliated with two renowned medical schools, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medicine. This collaboration means patients have access to the country’s leading physicians, the full range of medical specialties, latest innovations in care, and research that is developing cures and saving lives.
Founded 255 years ago, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has a long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, from the invention of the Pap test to pioneering the groundbreaking heart valve replacement procedure called TAVR.
NewYork-Presbyterian’s 45,000 employees and affiliated physicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to New Yorkers and patients from across the country and around the world.
For more information, visit www.nyp.org and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.
*In collaboration with physicians from ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian provides care at 450+ locations.

About Fort Greene Park Conservancy
The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is an independent non-profit organization that partners with local communities and NYC Parks to program, maintain, and advocate for the park as a vital space today and for generations to come. We enrich and nurture Fort Greene Park as a public space that puts community first—protecting everyone’s right to belong, organize, and connect with nature. Learn more at fortgreenepark.org.

About Prospect Park Alliance
Prospect Park Alliance is the non-profit organization that sustains, restores and advances Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s Backyard, in partnership with the City of New York. The Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home. Learn more at prospectpark.org.

About Rooftop Films
Rooftop Films is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage and inspire the diverse communities of New York City by showcasing the work of both emerging and established independent filmmakers. In addition to their storied annual Summer Series—now celebrating its 30th year—Rooftop provides grants to alumni via their longstanding Filmmakers Fund, rents equipment at low-cost to artists and fellow nonprofits, and supports a multitude of partner screenings year-round and citywide. At Rooftop Films, we bring underground movies outdoors. For more information, please visit rooftopfilms.com.

7 Ways to Take Care of Prospect Park’s Lake

June 24, 2026

July is Lake Appreciation Month, and Brooklyn’s only Lake needs our help to stay healthy and vibrant. Prospect Park’s 60-acre Lake is home to a wide range of fish, amphibians, birds, and home to a variety of beloved park activities. We’re sharing 6 ways that you can help care for the Prospect Park Lake with each visit to the park.

1. Admire the Wildlife from Afar: We all love to watch the turtles and ducks that live in Prospect Park’s Lake, but please admire them from a respectful distance and do not feed them. When we feed park wildlife, it can attract animals to places they wouldn’t naturally go and can harm these beloved park dwellers’ health.

2. Fish Responsibly: Please protect wildlife habitats for everyone’s enjoyment by following fishing rules. When not disposed of properly, fishing line can entangle birds and other wildlife and result in injury or death. Remember to discard fishing line fragments and hooks in marked fishing line bins or trash cans to keep park wildlife safe.

3. Carry-In and Carry-Out Your Trash: Carry your trash, and anything else you bring into the park, out of the park with you! Dispose of your litter at home where you can recycle and compost it. Ensuring that no trash, debris, or other items are left behind helps keep our Lake healthy and our wildlife safe.

4. Keep Dogs Leashed: Four-legged friends are great park companions. Make sure their visit to the park is positive for the park wildlife and natural areas by following dog-walking rules and safety tips, including the location and time of off-leash areas.

5. Enjoy the Lake from a Rental Boat: Keep in mind that swimming and private boats are never allowed in Prospect Park’s Lake. Approved boats are available to rent at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Following these rules helps keep park-goers as well as the animals and plants of the Lake safe.

6. Stay Safe: Please remember that while the Lake is a cherished part of Brooklyn nature, it is not intended for swimming. Please take caution when near any waterbody and only swim at city pools and beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty.

7. Connect with Brooklyn’s Wildlife: The Prospect Park Audubon Center, the nation’s first urban Audubon Center, offers free public programming that connects visitors of all ages with nature. Through hands-on games, family-friendly activities, and interactive Animal Encounters, naturalists teach participants about the park’s diverse ecosystem. Programs like Pop-Up Audubon also bring mobile education and birdwatching checklists directly to areas throughout the park.

Be a Park Champion! The health of Prospect Park as a whole impacts the quality of our Lake and the wildlife who call it home. Learn about the many ways that you can #BeAParkChampion and commit to do your part to keep Brooklyn’s Backyard vibrant and healthy.

Visit our Park Champion page to learn more about our stewardship activities, and take the Park Pledge! 

Risha Gorig The Journey

Art in the Park: Risha Gorig The Journey

March 31, 2026

NYC Parks Art in the Parks program and Prospect Park Alliance, the nonprofit that operates the park in partnership with the City, present The Journey by Risha Gorig. This site-specific installation, on the shoreline of the Prospect Park Lullwater near the park’s historic Boathouse, is on view through August 6, 2026.

Meet the artist and explore the installation at the Prospect Park Alliance Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 19. Learn more and RSVP!

The Journey depicts a flock of neon-pink kinetic birds suspended 15 feet in the air, wings catching and releasing with the wind. The work deploys allegory and ingenious engineering in equal measure, conjuring the act of migration as both literal phenomenon and lived condition.

The installation is a reminder that destination may change, but the search for sanctuary is a universal experience. During spring and fall migration, Prospect Park serves as a critical waypoint along the Atlantic Flyway for over 250 kinds of bird species, and is home to Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest and only lake. It is also “Brooklyn’s Backyard,” welcoming more than 10 million visitors each year. The Boathouse is home to many of the Alliance’s nature exploration programs as the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.

“Bringing thought-provoking public artwork like The Journey to our public parks both enhances our public realm and sparks conversations among New Yorkers. This inventive installation speaks to Prospect Park’s critical role as a habitat for diverse wildlife and invites visitors to reflect on our connections to the natural world,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We’re pleased to work with Risha Gorig and our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance to bring this art to ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard,’ and we look forward to welcoming New Yorkers to visit the installation soon.”

“We are thrilled to partner with our colleagues at NYC Parks to bring Risha’s revelatory work to Prospect Park,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “As both a cultural destination and a haven for nature and wildlife, Prospect Park is the ideal setting for The Journey, and underscores our commitment to art and nature.”

Gorig describes her practice as being drawn to the place where urban landscape and nature converge, and speaks on the fragility of that coexistence. Raised in Munich by a family of artists, she transmutes difficult subject matter through play and curiosity. “Life can be harsh, beautiful, but cruel at times,” says artist Risha Gorig. “Surviving in urban landscapes such as our cities is hard for everybody—animals and humans alike. To find food and shelter and a place to call home is what we all strive for.”

Risha Gorig is a Brooklyn based multi-media artist/composer/and choreographer. She has worked with site specific outdoor projects, performance, dance, and video installations. She combines many of these elements which mix technology with fragility of humanity. She is interested in metaphors of time, death, and life. Gorig has presented site-specific installations in the Flatiron District and Union Square in New York (2025) and solo exhibitions at Galerie De Miguel, Munich, Germany (2001), Foraum, Munich, Germany (1998), and Zeitelvilla, Munich, Germany (1998). Her work has been included in group exhibitions at Space 414 Garden, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY (2009), “Parallel Worlds,” ScalaMATA Exhibition Space, Venice, as part of the Venice Biennale (2009), Marktoberdorf Museum, Germany (2009), Art In Spite Of It All, New York, NY (2008), Apexart, New York, NY (2008), Fulton Park Brooklyn Bridge Group Show, Brooklyn, NY (2000), Fountain, Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn, NY (1999), and Visual Aids, New York, NY (2001), among others. She has performed at Dixon Place, New York, NY (2012), Knitting Factory, New York, NY (2012), The Gowanus Canal Art Space, Brooklyn, NY (2010), Foley Square, Manhattan, NY (2008), Parkside Lounge, New York, NY (2013), and Rawartshow, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY (2013). Learn more about her work at rishagorigart.com.

Rendering: Ocean Avenue Perimeter Restoration, c. Prospect Park Alliance

Ocean Avenue Perimeter Reconstruction Begins

March 20, 2026

NYC DOT, NYC Parks + Prospect Park Alliance Break Ground on Transformative Improvements to Prospect Park East Side Perimeter

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn, Prospect Park Alliance President and NYC Parks Administrator Morgan Monaco, Council Member Rita Joseph and advocates and today broke ground on a transformative project to restore and upgrade the Prospect Park perimeter along Ocean and Parkside Avenues, from Empire Boulevard to Parade Place.

This $15.5 million project, overseen by the Alliance, the nonprofit that operates the park in partnership with the city, will add a sidewalk-grade, two-way protected bike lane along the Ocean Avenue park perimeter, and completely redesign the entrance to Prospect Park at Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue, creating a new pedestrian plaza featuring a monument to Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm. This project extends the improvements to the park’s eastern perimeter begun in 2020 with the restoration of the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, which created two new entrances to the park, the first since the 1940s.

“Having safe access to Prospect Park is a priority for everyone who calls Brooklyn home. Families from across the city walk and bike to Brooklyn’s backyard, and with so much foot traffic, the park’s adjacent streets must be calm and focused on people,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Since we’ve removed private vehicles from Prospect Park in 2018, the results have been transformative—and allow us to deliver a brand-new pedestrian-friendly entrance at Ocean and Parkside with a new monument honoring Brooklyn’s own Shirley Chisholm.”

“Across the five boroughs, our public parks and greenways form a vital living infrastructure network, helping New Yorkers connect with nature and travel safely throughout the city. This project is an example of how investing in our parks makes our city healthier, more welcoming, and more accessible,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “I’m grateful to our partners at NYC DOT, DCLA, and the Prospect Park Alliance for their collaboration as we work to improve ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’ for all New Yorkers.”

“Given the success of our restoration of the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, we are thrilled to be partnering with the NYC DOT on the restoration of the Ocean Avenue perimeter, including the new protected bike lane, as well as with the DCLA to bring this landmark monument to Shirley Chisholm to our Parkside entrance,” said Morgan Monaco, Prospect Park Alliance president and NYC Parks administrator.

“Upgrading the entrance to Prospect Park at Ocean and Parkside Avenues is an investment for Brooklyn communities,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Prospect Park is our backyard, and every Brooklynite deserves to access it safely and with pride. Honoring Shirley Chisholm at this gateway is a powerful reminder of the legacy rooted right here in our borough. Thank you to the Mayor’s Office, NYC Parks, NYC DOT, and the Prospect Park Alliance for working with the community and making sure this vision reflects the people it serves.”

“This groundbreaking marks a powerful investment in the future of our city. I am proud to have invested $1.6 million to help transform the perimeter of Prospect Park into a safer, more accessible space for pedestrians, cyclists, and families. Investing in infrastructure, especially around our parks, is an investment in public health, safety, and the well-being of our communities,” said Council Member Rita Joseph. “This project not only enhances connectivity and equity along Ocean and Parkside Avenues, but also honors the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn trailblazer whose impact continues to inspire us all. This is what it looks like when we build a city that prioritizes people, celebrates history, and creates spaces where everyone belongs.”

Perimeter Restoration + Protected Bike Lane
The project will restore the park perimeter along Ocean and Parkside Avenues from Empire Boulevard to Parade Place, and includes the installation of a two-way, sidewalk-grade protected bike lane along the park side of Ocean Avenue, where there is currently no cycling infrastructure. The lane will provide a critical link to the parking-protected bike lanes already in place along Flatbush and Parkside avenues and will connect to the Prospect Park Drive, a popular recreational destination. The perimeter restoration will feature reconstructed sidewalks bordered by an allée of trees, and new historic lighting, seating, and trash cans. Future improvements along Parkside Avenue will take place through $1 million in funding from Council Member Rita Joseph, who also allocated funding for the restoration of a pergola at the entrance.

New Plaza and Public Art
The perimeter restoration will establish a new plaza at the entrance of Prospect Park at Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue, and new bike connections between the two streets and the Park Drive. The redesigned space will formally close the park entrance to motorized vehicle traffic–-reflecting that non-essential vehicles were banned from the park in 2018–-allowing for the creation of the new plaza. As part of the next phase of the project, the city will install a new public artwork in the space, a monument honoring Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born daughter of immigrant parents from Barbados and Guyana, who became the first African American woman to serve in Congress as well as run for U.S. President. The Alliance will also be transforming a disused building near the entrance into the Shirley Chisholm Pavilion, which will feature restrooms and exhibit panels, and is funded through the New York City Council and Assembly Member Brian Cunningham. This project is currently in the design phase, and is slated for construction in 2027.

The project includes $8.2 million in funding from NYC DOT, $1.25 million from the Department of Cultural Affairs, and $1 million from NYC Parks. The Brooklyn Borough President’s office has contributed $3.5 million, and City Council District 40 has contributed $1.6 million.

The project will take about 18 months to complete. Prospect Park Alliance will implement the restoration in six, 800-foot phases, beginning at the Empire Boulevard terminus at Ocean Avenue and also in tandem at Parkside Avenue, with the pedestrian plaza at the Parkside Avenue entrance and new monument as the final phase.

Learn more about this project.

Vale Restoration Begins

March 16, 2026

A new era is underway for the northeast corner of Prospect Park!

New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson, NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Chief Infrastructure Officer Joshua Kraus, and Prospect Park Alliance Board Chair Iris Weinshall and President Morgan Monaco today joined members of the community to break ground on the restoration of the Vale in the northeast corner of Prospect Park.

Funded by the Office of the Mayor, this $37.5 million, 8-acre project is the single largest capital allocation to Prospect Park since Lakeside in 2010-13. It is the result of an extensive outreach and design process that engaged thousands of local community members over several years. The Prospect Park Alliance’s award-winning team of architects and landscape architects have designed a space for nature exploration, intergenerational gathering, and quiet reflection.

Learn more about the project on our Vale webpage.

“Thousands of voices have contributed to the future of this beloved green space, and I am so grateful to the hard-working teams at NYC Parks, EDC, and Prospect Park Alliance for ensuring the Vale continues to carry the histories and hopes of New Yorkers,” said New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The new Vale will be more accessible, better maintained, and designed with families in mind. I can’t wait for Brooklynites like me and visitors alike to enjoy all this restoration project will have to offer.”

“When we invest in our public spaces, New Yorkers notice. This project demonstrates our commitment to giving New Yorkers of all ages free and accessible places to enjoy the natural world and escape the hustle of the city,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We’re proud to work with our partners at NYCEDC and the Prospect Park Alliance to continue to improve ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’ for all to enjoy.”

“New York City’s public spaces are treasured across the five boroughs, and it is a priority to ensure that these natural spaces remain resilient and reflective of the communities they serve,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “NYCEDC is thrilled to work with our partners at NYC Parks and the Prospect Park Alliance to officially commence the restoration of one of Brooklyn’s most beloved slices of nature, preserving it for generations of New Yorkers to enjoy.”

“Prospect Park Alliance has an award-winning track record of historic restoration and woodland preservation,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco, “This design is reflective of the talent of our team, the deep engagement with our community, and the future we hope to steward in Prospect Park. We are delighted to move forward bringing this vision into reality.”

The Vale restoration, the first in more than 50 years, transforms two key landscapes: the historic Children’s Pool (a decorative water feature) and a former rose garden. The project will also include 3 acres of woodland restoration that will continue an important pollinator corridor across the park. This work is supported by a $300,000, three-year New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Community Reforestation grant.

The restoration of the Children’s Pool will bring back historic details while improving wildlife habitat through new plantings and bird-friendly features. The former rose garden, which features three disused concrete basins, will be transformed into three connected landscapes that respect the park’s historic design while restoring the woodland landscape. The project will also add new amenities, including: a pollinator garden and planted arbor; a children’s nature exploration area; a picnicking lawn and a small pavilion with composting restrooms and a shaded terrace.

The restoration of the Vale is expected to be completed in 2027. This project is the centerpiece of several capital improvements that have been achieved in recent years in this corner of the park. This includes the Flatbush Avenue Perimeter restoration with two new entrances to the park, the first in the park since the 1940s; the restoration of surrounding woodland areas severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy; the restoration of the pathways and lighting to the area; the award-winning restoration of Endale Arch; and the award-winning restoration of the Grand Army Plaza Berms and Memorial Arch.

The Vale restoration project surpasses the City’s goals for minority-owned and women-owned businesses and enterprises (M/WBEs) with a construction team that is 35% M/WBEs.

“Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and the restoration of the Vale will bring new life to a space where generations of Brooklynites have gathered and made memories together,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m grateful to the Mayor’s Office for investing in this beloved green space, and to NYC Parks, NYCEDC, and Prospect Park Alliance for partnering with the community and centering Brooklynites’ voices in this new vision for the Vale.”

“Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and I’m proud to represent it in the State Senate,” said New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “Restoring the Vale is an exciting project that will expand and improve areas for recreation, solitude and enjoying nature, and I’m grateful to the Prospect Park Alliance and my partners in city government for making this restoration a reality.”

“The restoration of the Vale is going to make this area of the park more accessible, engaging, and functional, while also respecting the grace and beauty of the original Olmsted and Vaux design. The next generation of Brooklynites, among them my own young children, will greatly benefit from our stewardship. I look forward to visiting this renewed park destination with my family,” said New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll.

“I’m proud to represent Prospect Park, one of Brooklyn’s most treasured public spaces, alongside my colleagues Council Members Hanif and Joseph. Investments like the restoration of the Vale help ensure the park continues to serve generations of New Yorkers,” said New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson. “This project reflects what our communities have been asking for: accessible green space where neighbors can spend time outdoors and enjoy the park. I’m grateful to Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Parks, and NYCEDC for their partnership in bringing this long-awaited restoration to life and for engaging thousands of community members in shaping its future.”

“The restoration of the Vale in Prospect Park is an investment in Brooklyn families, our shared green spaces, and the health of our urban ecosystem,” said New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif. “I’m grateful to Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Parks, and NYCEDC for their partnership in bringing this historic landscape back to life as a place for nature exploration, reflection, and gathering. This project reflects what our neighbors asked for: greener, more accessible spaces where people of all ages can connect with nature right here in Brooklyn.”

“I’m proud to represent Prospect Park, one of Brooklyn’s most treasured public spaces, alongside my colleagues Council Members Hanif and Joseph. Investments like the restoration of the Vale help ensure the park continues to serve generations of New Yorkers,” said NYC Council Member Crystal Hudson. “This project reflects what our communities have been asking for: accessible green space where neighbors can spend time outdoors and enjoy the park. I’m grateful to Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Parks, and NYCEDC for their partnership in bringing this long-awaited restoration to life and for engaging thousands of community members in shaping its future.”

“Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and I’m proud to represent it in the State Senate,” said NY State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “Restoring the Vale is an exciting project that will expand and improve areas for recreation, solitude and enjoying nature, and I’m grateful to the Prospect Park Alliance and my partners in city government for making this restoration a reality.”

Background on the Vale Restoration
The Prospect Park Vale was originally designed as a Children’s Playground and home to the park’s first carousel. At the turn of the 20th century, it became a formal rose garden. In the late 1960’s, after decades of decline, the City removed the flower beds and attempted to restore the fountains, which quickly became nonfunctional. Today, Alliance and Parks staff maintain the area, and restoration will improve its accessibility, infrastructure and habitat value.

In 2017, the Alliance launched intensive community outreach to create a vision for the Vale. Since this landscape changed several times over its history, it was not beholden to landmark regulations at the same level as areas of the park that still retain their original design. This process engaged more than 2,000 community members and generated more than 3,000 ideas. This outreach identified the primary desires of the community: to preserve and enhance the woodland nature of this area of the park; provide a space for all ages to come together for reflection and passive activities, such as nature appreciation or the arts; and to improve the space to make it more accessible and functional. In 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio allocated $40 million in city funding to realize plans for the Vale.

Learn more about the history and design details of the Vale restoration.

Nature Play’s New Era

December 4, 2025

When Superstorm Sandy arrived in Brooklyn on October 29, 2012, the winds caused widespread destruction in Prospect Park. The storm felled over 500 trees throughout the park, including towering, century-old heritage trees. This devastation was turned into innovation when a handful of these downed trees found new life as the Donald and Barbara Zucker Natural Exploration Area. The Alliance’s team of architects and landscape designers created the park’s first natural play area in the park, where tree trunks, boulders and other elements of nature took center stage and imaginations ran wild. The Exploration Area, designed to inspire creativity and play, was an instantly beloved destination for families in the park.

After more than a decade of community love, Zucker will be closing in the coming months as the Alliance begins reconstruction of the surrounding Vale landscapes. Due to the incredible response to this nature play area, the Vale will include a new Natural Exploration Area when it opens to the public in 2028. 

“The Zucker Natural Exploration Area was always intended as a temporary installation, and to evolve and change over time as branches and logs eroded and children manipulated the play elements,” said Prospect Park Alliance Vice President of Capital and Landscape Management Christian Zimmerman. 

Informed by robust community feedback, the design of the Vale’s new Natural Exploration Area is inspired by the guiding vision of Zucker. “The essence of what makes Zucker Natural Exploration Area so special is kids’ ability to create their own play experience and enjoy truly unprescribed play. The new play area maintains a lot of the soul of that original Zucker design,” shares Prospect Park Alliance Landscape Architect Jillian Pagano.

Texture and sensory activity are core to the new play area’s design, which features natural materials that can be found in the park or ones reminiscent of the park’s natural areas, including the signature upside-down tree currently found at the Zucker Natural Exploration Area, an engineered wood fiber “mulch,” a sand area, boulders set into the landscape, wood decking and a water play area featuring a hand pump, as well as ADA accessible play elements to ensure opportunities for all children. The play area will feature a central tree to provide a large canopy of shade once fully grown, and a miniature pollinator meadow with native plantings to offer kids the chance to get to know pollinator insects up close. 

“The new Natural Exploration Area will honor the legacy of the Zucker Natural Exploration Area, but is designed for longevity to enable countless families to enjoy for generations to come,” shares Jillian.

When the Zucker Natural Exploration Area closes in early 2026, visit our Things to Do with Kids webpage to explore the park’s seven playgrounds and in the summer months, Splash Pad, the park’s largest water play area.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park

November 6, 2025

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Prospect Park Alliance, in partnership with Brooklyn Org and the Brooklyn Public Library, will present Brooklyn’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. The event will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist who will perform live music at 10 pm before the fireworks begin. Enjoy this free beloved community event at Grand Army Plaza at midnight on Wednesday, December 31.

RSVP for New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park: prospectpark.org/nye

This 45-year tradition of celebrating the new year in Prospect Park will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10 pm. Fireworks will begin at midnight to light up the skies above Brooklyn’s Backyard.

“There’s no place better to ring in the new year than at Prospect Park,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Every year, neighbors from all over the city head to Grand Army Plaza to enjoy this time-honored Brooklyn tradition, and I couldn’t be more grateful to Prospect Park Alliance, Brooklyn Org, and Brooklyn Public Library for making the celebration possible. Bring your friends and family to welcome in 2026 and enjoy a spectacularly bright and colorful show!”

“Celebrating the New Year in Prospect Park is a beloved tradition, and we’re excited to welcome New Yorkers to Brooklyn’s Backyard to ring in 2026!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “We’re grateful to the team at the Prospect Park Alliance for hosting this cherished celebration and continuing the tradition of fireworks at midnight, and to Borough President Antonio Reynoso for his sponsorship and consistent support. We look forward to seeing you at the park to welcome the new year and celebrate another great year for Brooklyn!”

“New Year’s Eve in Prospect Park is a beloved, decades-long tradition and celebration near to the hearts of so many Brooklynites,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “We thank the Borough President, Brooklyn Org and the Brooklyn Public Library for their generous support of this spectacular event. It is a special moment for our Brooklyn community to gather together in Brooklyn’s Backyard and ring in the new year with vibrant local entertainment and a gorgeous fireworks display.”

“Nothing is more Brooklyn than ringing in the New Year with neighbors in Prospect Park,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “We’re proud to join the Borough President, the Prospect Park Alliance and the Brooklyn Public Library to bring light and joy to the first moments of 2026 and celebrate another year living in the greatest borough on the planet.”

“Just like turning the pages of a new book, the ritual of turning the calendar to a new year is a moment filled with hope and possibility. We are excited to welcome in 2026 with our next-door neighbors in Prospect Park and wish all New Yorkers peace, prosperity and the joy of a great read,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library.

About Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
Antonio Reynoso is Brooklyn’s 20th Borough President. A lifelong Brooklynite, he is the first Latino to hold the office in the borough and the first Dominican to be elected Borough President citywide. Previously, Borough President Reynoso served as City Council Representative for Council District 34, representing portions of Bushwick, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and Ridgewood, Queens. More about Borough President Reynoso and his vision for a Brooklyn for all at brooklynbp.nyc.gov.

About Prospect Park Alliance
Prospect Park Alliance is the non-profit organization that sustains, restores and advances Prospect Park, “Brooklyn’s Backyard,” in partnership with the City. The Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the Park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home. The Alliance cares for the woodlands and natural areas, restores the park’s buildings and landscapes, creates innovative park destinations, and provides free or low-cost volunteer, education and recreation programs.  Learn more at prospectpark.org.  

About Brooklyn Org

Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn — your partner and platform for local giving where everyone has a part to play in creating change from the ground up. Since 2009, we have moved over $130 million to nonprofits in partnership with generous Brooklynites, through our community-powered grantmaking and Donor Advised Funds. Our network of changemakers — Brooklynites, Brooklyn backers, businesses, and broader believers in equity and justice — is powered by a shared vision of making our borough a beacon for the world. See what’s possible when Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn at brooklyn.org. 

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

A Bright Future For Brooklyn Nature

October 30, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance has announced that the Leon Levy Foundation has made a transformational $10 million gift to the Alliance to support its work to sustain, restore and advance Prospect Park and its 350 acres of natural areas, including Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest and only lake. The Shelby White and Leon Levy Woodlands Endowment will endow four new Ecological Zone Gardeners in Prospect Park. Currently the Alliance has seven gardeners to care for the park’s 526 acres. The Shelby White Leon Levy Ecological Zone Gardeners will work in two key areas of the park, including the woodland Ravine and Lakeside, the 26 acres in the southeast corner of the park that surrounds a portion of the park’s 60-acre lake. 

Prospect Park Alliance Board Chair Iris Weinshall, Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco,  Shelby White, Founding Trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Kim Council announce the Shelby White and Leon Levy Woodlands Endowment.


The gift was announced as the park nears the one-year anniversary of a devastating two-acre, two-alarm fire in the Ravine in November 2024. This fall, Alliance staff and volunteers will plant nearly 3,000 plants and shrubs to re-green this area, which had been completely decimated by the fire. These native woodland species include Pennsylvania Sedge, Wild Geranium, Woodland Phlox, Christmas Fern, American Witch Hazel, American Holly, Fragrant Sumac, Carolina Rose and Flowering Raspberry.

Prospect Park Alliance’s Ecological Zone Gardeners and volunteers planting nearly 3,000 new plants and shrubs to re-green the area of our woodland Ravine that was devastated by the November 2024 fire.

“Shelby is a Brooklyn hero: her support of the park and a range of Brooklyn cultural organizations has transformed our borough, and reflects her strong ethos of philanthropy to the causes she holds dear,” said Morgan Monaco, President, Prospect Park Alliance. “Through the Leon Levy Foundation we have been able to achieve so much, and this gift will ensure our care of Brooklyn Nature thrives for many years to come.

Shelby White, Founding Trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, said, “Prospect Park was my childhood playground. We are delighted that this endowment gift will help ensure that generations of children will continue to experience the wonder and natural beauty of Brooklyn’s magnificent park.” 

“Our natural spaces provide New Yorkers with a place to escape the hustle of urban life and connect with nature and the great outdoors. Thanks to this additional funding, Prospect Park’s forest and lake will benefit from the care of more gardeners, keeping these places resilient and healthy for the benefit of all New Yorkers and the park’s natural ecosystems,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “I’m grateful to our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance for their work helping us care for Brooklyn’s Backyard.”

“Prospect Park is one of our greatest public treasures, and I am proud to represent it in the State Senate. While my colleagues and I advocate for the Prospect Park Alliance in Albany, incredible partners like Shelby White and the Leon Levy Foundation stand tall as defenders and benefactors of our green spaces. We are so grateful to them for this transformational gift to our park and the communities that cherish it,” said State Senator Zellnor Myrie.

“This incredibly generous $10 million grant from the Leon Levy Foundation will help sustain and enhance the natural areas of Prospect Park. This grant will allow future generations to experience that “antidote” to the stresses of city life that was envisioned by Olmsted and Vaux,” said Assemblymember Robert Carroll.

“As a fan and nearby resident, Prospect Park’s forest needs protection and preservation so that all Brooklynites and visitors can benefit from the greenspace all year, every year,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “As climate change continues to disrupt our city’s ecosystems, investing in the protection of Brooklyn’s only remaining forest is critical to preparing New York for a new reality of more frequent droughts and wildfires. In this era of climate crisis, true resiliency means building back stronger after events like the 2024 wildfire and ensuring our communities can be safe and enjoy the park for generations to come.”

“I’m so grateful to the Leon Levy Foundation for supporting the Prospect Park Alliance as they work to preserve the park’s ecosystems,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “For generations, Prospect Park has given Brooklynites a place to relax, gather, and connect with the incredible wildlife that thrives right here in our borough. With this generous gift, Brooklynites will be able to enjoy the park’s forest and lakeside for years to come.”

“Prospect Park is the heart of our borough, and today we’re celebrating an incredible investment in its future,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “The Shelby White and Leon Levy Endowment ensures that our woodlands, meadows, and lakesides will continue to thrive under the care of dedicated Ecological Zone Gardeners. After the loss we experienced in last year’s woodland fire, this commitment to restoration and stewardship is a powerful reminder of Brooklyn’s resilience and our shared responsibility to protect our natural spaces.”

This is the second transformational gift from the Leon Levy Foundation. In 2008, the foundation provided $10 million to renew the shoreline of the Lake to create the Shelby White and Leon Levy Esplanade and Chaim Baier Music Island at Lakeside. This project restored park creators Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s historic plan for the lake, and through extensive research, returned the lakeshore to its original design. The White Levy Esplanade features walkways and picnic areas, with newly placed boulders, native trees, shrubs and aquatic plants. In addition, five acres of the Lake were excavated to recreate Baier Music Island, which serves as a wildlife habitat. In 2007, the Foundation made its first grant to the Alliance to support the care of the park’s 30,000 trees. Through this funding, the Alliance was able to jumpstart its work in sustaining a healthy forest by pruning hundreds of trees across the park: work that had faced a critical backlog due to a lack of City funding. This financial support provided the seeding that has grown into the Alliance’s natural areas care program, which forms the backbone of the Alliance’s work in Prospect Park.

Celebrate Halloween + Kick Off Ice Skating Season at Lakeside

October 14, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance kicks off the new season at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside with a Fall Harvest Festival and Halloween Celebration on the weekends of Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26, and Friday, October 31, through Sunday, November 2, 2025. On November 1 through November 2, also enjoy the first skate of the season with free skate admission, free skating mini lessons, as well as hockey, stick n’puck, and figure skating sessions! 

Join us for our Harvest Fest + Halloween Ice Skating Celebration! Learn More + RSVP: prospectpark.org/harvest. 

After serving the community for more than a decade, this year Prospect Park Alliance relaunched the Center after extensive renovations and with new operators in place for the rinks and the cafe, Ekstein Development Group and Purslane. Ekstein is the operator of beloved city rinks including City Ice Pavilion and World Ice Arena in Queens. Purslane, part of the Oberon Group, is known for their thoughtful, seasonal food, and also partners with the Alliance at the historic Prospect Park Boathouse, where it operates the Purslane Cafe. 

The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is Brooklyn’s premier skating destination, with 30,000 square feet of pristine skating surface on connected covered and open-air rinks, with scenic views of the 60-acre Prospect Park Lake. Enjoy time on the ice with new skate programs and a fleet of hundreds of new skates. Duck Island Cafe & Bar keeps you warm with seasonal beverages including hot chocolate, hot cider and a local favorite, hot Hibiscus Brew from popular Flatbush-based cafe, Hibiscus Brew. Plus, don’t miss new rinkside classics including chili hotdogs and sheet pan pizza.

Harvest Festival + First Skate Weekend

Enjoy two weekends of Fall and Halloween fun, plus the start of the ice skating season, with a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, as well as Halloween costume contests, arts and crafts, face painting, and on November 1 + 2, free admission to our skating rinks with special clinics and classes for figure skating, hockey, stick n’puck, and much more! Visit prospectpark.org/harvest to learn more and RSVP.

Pre-registration is required for all skating activities aside from Public Skate. 

Ice Skating Season at Lakeside

Plus, enjoy a full season of ice skating with daily skate sessions, and lessons and leagues for all ages and skill levels. Visit prospectpark.org/lakeside for more information and to register today!

  • Public Skating – Come skate with us! Enjoy skating on our covered and open air rinks daily.
  • Learn to Skate – With three semesters to choose from and classes for all ages, everyone is a skater at Lakeside!
  • Youth Hockey Programs – Have you ever wanted to learn to play from the NY Rangers and the NY Islanders? Well now you can with the NY Rangers Rookie League and the NY Islanders Learn to Play at Lakeside!
  • Adult Hockey Leagues & Pick-Up – From Open Hockey, Stick N’ Puck, Learn to Play, Women’s leagues and more we have everything a player could need.
  • Figure Skating Freestyle Sessions – Ice time for experienced skaters of all ages at pre-free skate level or higher. Work on your jumps, spins, and routines with your couch or on your own! Check out our schedule.
  • Birthday Parties & Private Rentals – Celebrate your party the Lakeside way, from parties, galas and corporate events and more we have everything you need to bring your vision to life. Check out our party packages or contact us at [email protected].
  • Duck Island Café – Hot chocolate, snacks, and cozy comfort food all season long.