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
Wednesday, August 13
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
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
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.
c. BRIC
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Announces 2025 Lineup
May 8, 2025
Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get ready for a season of music, dance and more at the Lena Horne Bandshell! The 2025 BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, kicks off on Saturday, June 7 for a season of free shows, benefit concerts, dance performances, film screenings, and more. The festival, presented in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks, is back for its 47th annual season of bringing communities together for summer fun in Brooklyn’s Backyard.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! is known for its distinct curatorial mix that elevates emerging artists, popular indie talent and showcases legacy artists from all genres and subgenres. This season, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! is paying homage to the the borough’s rich tapestry with the theme “Where Brooklyn Meets… The World.” The theme is a tribute to of global sounds and stories that define Brooklyn’s cultural landscape with a season that showcases the festival’s ongoing commitment to musical discovery and cultural exchange.
“BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park is a beloved flagship event, and a clear sign of summer for our community,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance. “Music and performing arts are a powerful uniting force, and do so much to help keep us thriving in good times and in bad. I’m grateful that Prospect Park is a source of inspiration for artists of all kinds and a haven for our community to come together to enjoy music and performances. The festival has brought a wide range of free music, performances and family programming to Brooklyn’s Backyard and we look forward to an exciting season ahead with the many diverse communities that call Brooklyn home.”
Executive Director of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, Saidah Blount, stated, “The magic of the performing arts lies in their power to move, unite, and inspire. This season, the Lena Horne Bandshell transforms into a global gathering place – where rhythms, stories, and cultures from around the world meet to form Brooklyn’s creative heartbeat. We’re proud to celebrate the diversity and depth of our borough through artists who reflect the many ways music and performance connect us all.”
“Every summer for the last forty-seven years, BRIC has been proud to showcase the best talent from around the world at the Lena Horne Bandshell in our beloved Prospect Park in partnership with our friends at the Prospect Park Alliance,” said Wes Jackson, BRIC President. “In these days and times we are proud to provide a space where communities can come together and enjoy a few moments of respite. For three generations we have remained committed to providing free and low cost programming to all of Brooklyn and New York City. Let’s do it again! See you at the Bandshell.”
“Every year, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! fills Prospect Park with music, energy, and community, demonstrating the power of our public spaces to bring people together,” said Sue Donoghue, NYC Parks Commissioner. “I’m grateful to our partners at BRIC and Prospect Park Alliance for organizing this iconic summertime event, enhancing Brooklyn’s Backyard with free performances by artists from around the world.”
Tickets are available for many of this season’s benefit shows, and the majority of the festival’s performances are free to the public. For more information, check out our BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! page, and for the full line-up, scroll down!
Pinkster, the Dutch word for Pentecost, was historically the sole occasion each year when enslaved Africans in New York could legally gather with their families, engage in music and dance and trade goods. In doing so, enslaved Africans preserved their cultures, established new rituals and transmitted cultural wisdom to Africans stripped from their homelands and families, helping give communities the strength to endure the brutality of slavery. Over time, Pinkster transformed into one of the oldest African cultural festivals in what became the United States. In 1811, however, New York began outlawing this important centuries-old holiday, forcing African New Yorkers to preserve its traditions in private. Revivals of Pinkster have been growing in popularity since the 1970s and Chief Baba Neil Clarke has been a continuous spark, lighting the way for future generations in his work to preserve and continue the tradition.
Born and raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Chief Baba Neil Clarke is a master drummer, performer and culture ambassador who received the Yoruba chieftaincy title, Alufopejo Awo of Osogbo in 2016, in recognition of his cultural preservation efforts. He has toured the world performing with artists such as Randy Weston, Harry Belafonte, Dianne Reeves and Miriam Makeba. Clarke is also a scholar who researches and teaches the history of percussion, and especially the role of the African drum in the Americas. His leadership in Pinkster celebrations spans decades and includes collaborations with institutions like Philipsburg Manor, Weeksville Heritage Center, and many others across the state—several of which still have Pinkster celebrations every year. “I got involved in Pinkster on invitation more than 20 years ago. It was just a drumming gig for me at the time, but it went well, and I kept doing it. Year after year, I learned more about the history of Pinkster through conversations, personal research and being immersed in the tradition,” shares Chief Baba Neil Clarke.
For Clarke, drumming is more than just music—it is a form of service and deep listening. “To be a drummer is to be of service. You must be able to listen,” he explains. “Being an African drummer is different from being in a drum circle. You are playing a specific rhythm for a ceremony or dance as a trained African drummer as opposed to jamming. That dynamic of listening to other ideas and what is being specifically expressed is very important.” He draws a parallel to New York’s built history: “I live in Bed-Stuy where people walk and gawk at the brownstones and their beauty. But how many are paying attention to the foundations? We take foundations for granted. Pinkster is a historical foundation of previously enslaved people and a historical foundation of the United States.”
Lefferts Historic House hosted its first Pinkster celebration in 1990 and now is in its third consecutive year reviving the Pinkster tradition as part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative, which seeks to re-envision the mission and programming of the Lefferts Historic House museum to focus on exploring the lives, resistance and resilience of the Lenapehoking and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts. The Pinkster celebration at Lefferts Historic House holds deep personal significance for Clarke. “It’s an honor and a privilege for Prospect Park Alliance to consider its importance and embrace Pinkster at Lefferts Historic House,” he says, “It is also a bit humbling. This is something very close to my heart and what I grew up doing. As a teenager we were frequently chased when we gathered to drum. To have an institution acknowledge and celebrate this history means a lot.”
Chief Baba Neil Clarke envisions a future where Pinkster is recognized as a state holiday akin to the Juneteenth national holiday, highlighting its profound significance in both New York and United States history. He emphasizes the importance of active participation, encouraging individuals to engage with the celebration firsthand to fully grasp its essence and contribute to its evolution. He is interested in imagining what Pinkster would look like if it had continued into the 20th century, envisioning African dancers, spoken word, jazz and gospel. “By maintaining the core of the heart and soul of Pinkster, we can then artistically imagine what it would look like if it were to have continued,” shares Clarke. This year, the Alliance continues to host part of the Pinkster tradition, inviting the community to partake in the festivities and deepen their understanding of the historical and cultural importance of Pinkster.
Earth Day is nearly here! Get involved and help Prospect Park Alliance care for Brooklyn’s Backyard—home to Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, only lake and countless species of plants and wildlife. Celebrate your planet this upcoming Earth Day through lending a hand volunteering, joining a birding tour for the BIPOC community, enjoying family friendly nature programs and more.
Outdoor Afro Community Birding Tour: Fallkill Trail Sunday, April 20, 9:30–11:30 am Litchfield Villa, Free, RSVP!
Celebrate Earth Day with Prospect Park Alliance and Outdoor Afro, an organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature, for a community birding tour for the BIPOC community as we explore the newly debuted Fallkill Trail. Observe various bird species and connect with your local community in a shared appreciation for nature and wildlife.
Earth Day in Prospect Park Sunday, April 20, 10 am–1 pm Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free, RSVP!
Join Prospect Park Alliance, Audubon NY, Flatbush Gardener and Prospect Park Zoo this Earth Day for a day of celebrating our planet’s natural beauty and raising awareness about bird species that call it home. Learn about park stewardship and the ways we can all be Park Champions to support these feathered friends through various seasonal activities, hands-on crafts and nature walks to celebrate Earth Day.
Global Youth Service Day in Prospect Park Sunday, April 20, 11–1:30pm Peninsula, Free, Registration Required
Join Prospect Park Alliance to learn the value of service and meet other families and friends in Brooklyn’s Backyard. On this day of giving back brought to you by the Apple TV series, Jane, volunteers will learn about the importance of mulching, composting and decomposition and help restore forest trails in one of Prospect Park’s most scenic areas, the Peninsula. Appropriate for families with youth ages between 4-13.
Sunset Series Tuesday, April 22, 5–7 pm Prospect Park, Free, Registration Required
Join Prospect Park Alliance for a new weekday evening volunteer opportunity. Make the most of longer days in the warmer months and join the Alliance to get outside and lend a hand at locations throughout Brooklyn’s Backyard. Volunteers will help with invasive plant removal, litter pickup and mulching. We will meet at 5:00 pm and wrap up no later than 7:00 PM, which gives you time to get home before dark or enjoy the sunset in the park afterwards! Appropriate for ages 14 and up. Register as an Individual or Register as a Group
Park Pitch In: Earth Day Service Saturday, April 19, 11 am–2 pm Parkside + Ocean Avenue Entrance, Free, Registration Required
This Earth Day, give back to Brooklyn’s Backyard by caring for Prospect Park’s trees. Volunteer with Prospect Park Alliance to support our urban oasis by caring for street trees along the park perimeter, cultivating soil, laying down mulch, and removing litter from the tree beds along Parkside + Ocean Avenue. Appropriate for groups, teens ages 14+ and adults. Register as an Individual or Register as a Group
8 Ways to Welcome Spring
Prospect Park is where Spring comes to life! With the change in season right at our front door, check out 8 activities to welcome the season and explore Prospect Park’s cherished destinations for seasonal fun throughout our 585 acres of meadows, woodlands and waterways. Plus, don’t miss the jam-packed activities open for you and your little ones this spring break!
1. Spend Spring Break in Brooklyn’s Backyard
Make the most of Spring Break in Prospect Park with family-friendly fun! This school break from Monday, April 14–Friday, April 17, visit the Prospect Park Audubon Center from 12–4 pm to get hands-on with seed and planting activities, experience an animal encounter and learn about the park’s trees and plants as well as the wildlife that call the park home. Plus, from 12–5 pm, take a spin on the park’s beloved Prospect Park Carousel.
2. Lend a Hand at a Spring Volunteer Event
Explore your park while giving back to the park you love all season long. Join Prospect Park Alliance for Park Pitch-In events on select Saturdays and Sundays to tackle a range of projects from tree care to removing invasive plants and weeds, picking up trash and much more. Check out the Sunset Series on Tuesday evenings from April – August to help with invasive plant removal, litter pickup and mulching to help Brooklyn’s Backyard thrive this season.
3. Go Birdwatching + Experience Spring Migration
Springtime is a peak season to admire the many vibrant feathered friends that pass through Brooklyn’s Backyard during Spring Migration. Prospect Park is located along the Atlantic Flyway, making it ideal for spotting migrating songbirds and more in spring. Make the most of the season with bloom-filled trees to compliment the vibrant species that frequent the park. Learn more about the 250+ bird species that can be spotted in Prospect Park, and join an upcoming Saturday morning Introduction to Birdwatching Walk or First Sunday Outing with the Brooklyn Bird Club.
4. Enjoy Family-Friendly Nature Programs + Pop-Up Audubon Events
Don’t miss family fun at the Audubon Center! Visit the Boathouse for nature programs on Thursdays–Sundays and holidays to get to know the plants and animals that call Brooklyn’s Backyard home through seasonal spring discovery stations, family bird walks and more.
5. Take a Spin on the Historic Carousel
Celebrate the start of spring at opening day of the beloved 1912 Carousel, one of the most popular attractions in Prospect Park. Kick off the season on Friday, March 28, with your little ones to enjoy rides on Thursdays–Sundays and school holidays from 12–5 pm. Plus, the Carousel offers packages for birthday parties for you to plan a celebration your little one will never forget.
6. Enjoy a Spring Bloom Walk
There’s nothing like a walk among spring blossoms in your park. Check out peak destinations to make the most of this season throughout the park. Plus, want to explore the park with a group on a guided route? Don’t miss weekly Wellness Walks on Fridays from 10 am–12 pm to boost your health and wellness on a scenic stroll, and weekly Stroller Walks for parents and caregivers with little ones to explore on Thursdays from 10 am–12 pm.
7. Spring Break Holiday Program
Make the most of Spring Break! Register for the Prospect Park Tennis Center’s Spring Break Holiday Program for intensive group instruction for both adults and youth of all levels of experience from April 14 – April 18 from 1–4 pm. Our accomplished staff of tennis professionals gives players personal attention while they acquire game fundamentals and increase their skill level
8. Honor a Loved One This Arbor Day
Commemorate a loved one and plant community trees at Prospect Park Alliance’s annual Arbor Day planting event on Friday, April 25. The Alliance’s arborist chooses the species and location of the trees, and all donors and their honorees are invited to participate in the tree planting on the morning of Arbor Day. By joining, you will not only help raise critical funds towards our mission to sustain, restore, and advance Prospect Park, but you will also participate in an ideal way to honor and celebrate your loved ones in a communal setting.
c. Grace Jeon / Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg Announces New 2025 Vendors
March 24, 2025
Everyone’s favorite outdoor food market is back in Prospect Park! Kicking off its milestone 15th season on Sunday April 6, Smorgasburg is back in Prospect Park on Breeze Hill every Sunday through October. Presented in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance, this year’s Smorgasburg lineup features over 70 new and returning local vendors spanning culinary traditions, family recipes, viral street snacks and comfort foods reimagined. From pastrami-packed sandwiches to tea blends steeped in tradition, the 2025 class of vendors showcases global flavors, each uniquely crafted for New York’s most beloved open-air food market. Informed by flavors, techniques and stories from around the world, this is food and drink from everywhere, but found only in New York, at Smorgasburg.
We hope you have worked up an appetite this winter because highlights include PIG ME UP’s authentic and modern Thai street food, classic Jamaican comfort food from Coco Bred, made-from-scratch NYC Deli sandwiches from Pastrami Underground, Culto Italiano’s authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, and many more. This year’s Smorgasburg season opens with a remarkable breadth and depth of new vendors. Joining returning favorites, the full, mouth-watering lineup of new vendors coming to Prospect Park is below:
12 Chairs Shuk A beloved Israeli restaurant inspired by the vibrant street food of Tel Aviv, 12 Chairs has been serving great food, warm hospitality, and feel-good vibes for over 20 years—bringing people together over memorable meals and shared moments.
B&E Fish and Chips B & E Chips serves criminally delicious, traditional British beer-battered fish and hand-cut, twice-cooked chips. Created by longtime Smorgasburg vets, Chef Ben Tomaiuolo (Paper Plate, Fedoroffs, Bon Chovie) and Chef Evan Fuchs, B & E Chips brings authentic, mouthwatering flavors to every plateCafecito
Cafecito Social, founded by Gaby Tejada, a Guatemalan mom, celebrates heritage, community, and exceptional coffee. Sourcing rare, ethically produced beans directly from small farms in Guatemala, the café offers a vibrant space to connect and experience the rich flavors and traditions of Gaby’s homeland.
Chocolate on Tap is a dessert brand specializing in premium chocolate-covered strawberries, inspired by a concept discovered in Borough Market, London. With a menu expanded through extensive testing, the brand quickly gained popularity, amassing a strong social media following and securing partnerships with Oishii Berry and Zadig & Voltaire.
Coco Bred reimagines traditional Jamaican cuisine by transforming beloved island meals into soft, handheld coco bread pockets. Blending authentic flavors with a modern twist, Coco Bred offers a convenient and delicious way to experience Jamaican comfort food on the go.
Culto Italiano is a premier catering company specializing in authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas with a modern touch. Founded in 2020 by Corrado Cervelli, it started as a small brick-oven operation and has since grown into a sought-after catering service in New York and New Jersey. Known for its commitment to quality ingredients and traditional techniques, Culto Italiano delivers a memorable dining experience through its artisanal pizzas.
Dragon Lulu is an Asian confection brand specializing in dragon beard candy—a delicate, hand-pulled candy floss wrapped around toasted nuts and freeze-dried fruit. With a focus on tradition and craftsmanship, Dragon Lulu brings this unique, melt-in-your-mouth treat to modern dessert lovers.
Gobi’s Goods A French-Filipino fusion bakery from Gobind Lutero, CEO of Ube donut, blending French baking techniques with traditional Filipino and American flavors, offering modernized pastries and uniquely flavored croissants.
Knot of this World Pretzels Owned & Operated from the same location in Long Island for 75 years, Knot of this World Pretzels serves Long Island’s best soft pretzels (2016-2024), hand-twisted and fresh-baked. A family-owned business, bringing old-fashioned New York-style pretzels to Long Island and beyond.
MARBRÉ A Brooklyn-based pâtisserie, owned by Hafsa Koita, specializing in artisan madeleines, inspired by French tradition and crafted with organic ingredients—perfect for everyday indulgence or elegant gifting.
Musubin’ – Musubin’ is redefining NYC street food with fresh, flavorful Japanese rice balls (onigiri)—a healthy, modern twist on a classic favorite.
Pasta Wheel After a trip to Italy, Shaban Paljevic was inspired and Pasta Wheel was born. The concept offers restaurant-quality pasta on the go—simple, delicious, and made with the finest ingredients for a quick yet elevated dining experience.
Pastrami Underground Louis Addonizio’s personal passion project, Pastrami Underground is dedicated to perfecting the ultimate pastrami. Backed by 40 years in the business—nearly 30 at Mill Basin Kosher Deli—Pastrami Underground delivers a classic, time-honored taste that stands up to the greats.
PIG ME UP is dedicated to providing authentic and modern Thai street food, offering a unique fusion of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and vibrant culinary experiences. Their mission is to bring the essence of Thai street food culture to their customers.
Wakari Tea offers super-premium matcha, globally sourced from the finest tea gardens. Crafted for serenity and indulgence, each blend transforms everyday moments into luxurious experiences. Founded by Jacqueline Rodney, a visionary taste curator and global tea enthusiast, Wakari Tea is the embodiment of a refined and soulful tea experience. Born out of a love for tradition and a passion for exploration, Jacqueline’s journey began in Brooklyn, where she was immersed in the intimate ritual of sharing tea with friends and their families. From mastering the art of chai to uncovering the complex spices and healing properties of ancient ingredients, her path is rooted in a deep respect for global tea traditions often overlooked in the West.
After more than a decade of serving our community, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside will begin a new chapter this spring! Prospect Park Alliance has appointed its first LeFrak Center Director to oversee operations at the Center. The Alliance is also making physical improvements on site to renew this heavily used destination, including the popular Splash Pad; and bringing on board new operators for ice skating, rollerskating and other recreational offerings, as well as for the Center’s cafe.
“The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is one of the largest projects in Prospect Park Alliance’s history,” said Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “We have been able to serve hundreds of thousands of community members each year with dynamic programs and activities, but also had a learning curve on how to ensure the best visitor experience. With the appointment of an Alliance Center Director, renovations to our facilities, and the upcoming selection of new operators, we are looking at a bright future.”
This month, Prospect Park Alliance welcomed Andrew Frey as the first LeFrak Center Director. In this role, he will oversee all operations and ensure the Center is well maintained and welcoming to all community members. Andrew comes to the park with many years experience in rink operations, including the last four ice skating seasons at Wollman Rink in Central Park. He has a personal passion for skating and opening up the sport to those who face barriers to access.
“I grew up playing roller hockey in the streets and schoolyards of Queens because we did not have access to a nearby ice rink,” said the Alliance LeFrak Center Director, Andrew Frey. “I come to this position not only with many years experience in operating local, seasonal rinks, but also as part of the LeFrak Center community. I have played ice hockey at the Center for the past four seasons, and look forward to ensuring we provide a first-rate experience to our community and wider access overall to ice and roller skating for everyone.”
“Prospect Park Alliance has been an integral part of hosting Gotham Roller Derby for many successful seasons as we’ve called LeFrak home for our bouts and practices,” said Gabrialle Landsverk, Head of Coaching at Gotham Roller Derby. “We are looking forward to continuing collaboration to bring skating events and community to the neighborhood.”
In addition to ice skating, roller skating, biking and boating activities, which will remain a core focus at the LeFrak Center, Frey is also interested in bringing more recreational, cultural and community events to the Center. The goal is to expand the offerings while building upon existing beloved events that have found a home at the LeFrak Center, such as Molière in the Park.
“The LeFrak Center has been the beating heart of Molière in the Park since our first season in 2019,” said Lucie Tiberghien, Founding Artistic Director. “We’ve been able to bring free theater productions of the highest professional quality to our beloved Brooklyn, in a splendid and unique setting. Last year, we awarded the Alliance our Shoulder to Shoulder Award for their commitment to building and sustaining communal spaces for people of all socioeconomic, cultural and racial backgrounds. We are thrilled to be able to double down on this commitment with the Alliance and LeFrak Center’s new management team.”
The Alliance also issued separate Requests for Proposals for recreational activities and the cafe, with the hope of making the cafe its own destination in the park, in addition to serving those enjoying the Center’s recreational activities.
“When it comes to the needs expressed by the community, access to high-quality, reasonably priced food and drink nears the top of the list, along with restrooms,” said Emily Krell, Alliance Vice President of Visitor Experience. “We are looking forward to offering a new cafe, along with well-maintained public restrooms and a renovated Splash Pad.”
The Alliance is in the final stages of selecting the new operators, and commencing planning for the summer season. In the meantime, ice skating will conclude the weekend of April 5 and 6, which will then be followed by repairs to the Center, including the Splash Pad, restrooms and other amenities. In May, the Alliance will welcome back Moliere in the Park for free performances, prior to the start of our summer season. More news to come as the transition gets underway.
Prospect Park is home to Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest, over 30,000 trees, and countless native species of plants and wildlife. In November 2024, we all felt how much our cherished woodlands mean to our Brooklyn community when we experienced unprecedented drought conditions and a 2-alarm fire in a core two acres of our beloved woodland Ravine. The fire damaged all three layers of forest in the area, including overstory trees, smaller midstory trees and shrubs, and herbaceous ground cover. Thanks to an outpouring of support from our community, Prospect Park Alliance has kicked off our ongoing work to restore the site of the fire. Read more and see the Alliance’s work in-action below.
If you’ve taken a stroll through the paved paths of the Ravine in recent weeks, you may have spotted Prospect Park Alliance’s Landscape Management team in-action, working to stabilize the area using biodegradable mesh. Stabilizing the area is the first step of a multi-year restoration project developed by the Alliance’s team of ecologists, forestry technicians and arborists in collaboration with our partners at NYC Parks. “In recent weeks, parkgoers may have seen brown mesh and tubes of compressed straw covering the steeply sloped Ravine hill. This biodegradable mesh is made from plants and helps hold the soil in place and prevent erosion, and will eventually allow us to plant here” shares Prospect Park Alliance Landscape Manager, Hannah Sassoon. “The Ravine, one of the first sites of the restoration work the Alliance began in early 1990s, is a part of the “Forever Wild” area of Prospect Park, a designation that means it has rare and important native species of plants and animals.”
“The recent fire in the core of our beloved woodland Ravine highlighted the vulnerability of our city’s treasured green spaces. As extreme weather events become more common, the role of our parks in building climate resilience is more vital than ever before,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support that has enabled Prospect Park Alliance to begin long-term work to restore this cherished area of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Our woodlands are a destination for respite, healing and exploration, and we thank our community for supporting the Alliance’s work to ensure that these natural areas will be sustained for generations to come.”
Prospect Park Alliance’s Landscape Management team unrolling biodegradable mesh at the site of the fire.
The team is now kicking off work to seed and plant the area with the three layers of flora needed for a diverse and healthy forest: native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. These native species include Elymus hystrix (bottlebrush grass), Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beardtongue), Amelanchier canadensis (serviceberry), five different species of oak and much more. The Alliance’s work to restore this area will continue over many seasons, with dedicated care and monitoring to ensure the Ravine’s long-term health and resilience. The Alliance looks forward to volunteers joining the efforts to restore this site in the seasons to come.
March is Women’s History Month! Prospect Park Alliance is celebrating the indelible impact women have had in Prospect Park and throughout our Brooklyn community, including the powerful legacy of Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm. A fierce advocate for civil rights, Shirley Chisholm’s inspiring legacy is one of hope for women and the Black community in Brooklyn and beyond.
Chisholm was born 1924 to Barbadian parents in Brooklyn. After spending her childhood in Barbados, she returned to Brooklyn at age ten, living much of her life in Crown Heights, to the northeast of Prospect Park and blocks away from historic Weeksville. Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn Girls’ High and later from Brooklyn College. She initially worked as a nursery school teacher in Brooklyn and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education. By 1960, she was a consultant to the New York City Division of Daycare. Even before her time in congress, Shirley fought for racial and gender equality, joining local chapters of the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League, and the Democratic Party Club in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Chisholm was a leader and an advocate for residents of Brooklyn and the country at large.
In 1968, Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Her standout achievements in Congress included working to expand access to food stamps, extending minimum wage requirements to domestic workers, and helping to pass Title IX, the landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits any sex-based discrimination in any government-funded school or education program. Chisholm introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation and championed racial and gender equality throughout her time in congress. She was one of the founding members of the Black Caucus as well as one of the founding members of the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971, and became the first Black woman and second woman ever to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee in 1977.
c. Pictorial Parade: Getty Images
Shirley Chisolm was one of the most visible and powerful members of Congress by 1972. That same year, 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. As Chisholm once said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.”
During Chisholm’s quest for the 1972 Democratic Party presidential nomination, she was blocked from participating in televised primary debates, and after taking legal action, was permitted to make just one speech. Her resilience prevailed and earned her the nickname “Fighting Shirley” after Chisholm entered 12 primaries and garnered 152 of the delegates’ votes despite the extensive discrimination she faced. Chisholm retired from Congress in 1983. She taught at Mount Holyoke College and co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women. Chisholm’s legacy lives on in her hometown of Brooklyn and far beyond, as she remains a national symbol of triumph and a true catalyst for change.
Two tributes to Chisholm and her legacy are coming to Brooklyn’s Backyard in the coming years. The Shirley Chisholm monument, commissioned through the She Built NYC Initiative through funding from the NYC Mayor’s office, will pay homage to Chisholm Plus, the Shirley Chisholm Pavillion made possible through funding from NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and the Brooklyn Delegation, led by Council Members Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph, Shahana Hanif and former Council Majority Leader, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, will transform a former maintenance building into a space that honors Chisholm’s impact and complements the new monument.
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