Author: Laura Robinson

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 events@lefraklakeside.com.
  • Duck Island Café – Hot chocolate, snacks, and cozy comfort food all season long.

Youth Empowerment in Brooklyn’s Backyard

October 13, 2025

This year, a familiar sight graced some of the park’s most beloved community destinations: Brooklyn teens in our Woodlands Youth Crew and Park Youth Representatives have been hard at work caring for our natural areas and engaging our community at Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Audubon Center.

Applying to high school? Learn more about our partner BASE High School and how it supports the next generation of green leaders. Register for an Open House today! 

The Woodlands Youth Crew (WYC) is an essential part of the Alliance’s work to restore and sustain Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest. The program provides teens with training, mentorship and professional experience in environmental conservation and park stewardship. This year’s crew of 20 youth from 15 different local high schools have spent their summer and fall delving into urban gardening and horticulture, including invasive species removal, planting, erosion control, trail work and more to help sustain our park while gaining valuable paid professional experience, networking skills, mentorship and more. 

“I’ve seen this group grow in countless ways throughout the seasons,” shares Alliance Woodlands Youth Crew Program Manager Kendra Srebro. “One of my favorite things to do is to encourage the youth to teach each other. I teach one youth crew member a skill, and then supervise them teaching one of their fellow peers. When they are empowered to teach a skill they not only learn it more thoroughly but also gain confidence. This team has impressed me so much with the attention to detail and the care they’ve put into their work; from caring for our tools to communicating with one another, learning a new restoration technique, and taking on new challenges.”

The team also embarked on field trips, applying their knowledge and skills to a range of real world settings and in a variety of natural landscapes, including the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. “A skill I’ve learned on the Youth Crew is how to remove mugwort and many other invasive plants. It is very rewarding since we can clearly see the difference before and after,” shares Woodlands Youth Crew Member Tian Han. “I learned to identify both invasive and native species, learned to use different types of tools and also teamwork.”

At Lefferts Historic House, a team of three Park Youth Representatives (PYRs) welcomed and guided visitors through the museum, assisted with daily programs, and ensured the smooth day-to-day operation of the site. Beyond their work at the museum, the PYRs were instrumental in helping us deliver community partner programming, including this year’s Pinkster celebration and our recent Pow Wow. 

“Watching the PYRs grow in confidence has been rewarding and inspiring,” shared Public Programs Manager, Riah Kinsey. “This year, our PYRs came from a variety of backgrounds within the African diaspora, with many being recent immigrants from West Africa and the Caribbean. Through our programming, they’ve not only had the opportunity to learn about other cultures within their community, but also about the ways in which their own cultures have contributed to the history of Flatbush and New York at large. It’s great to see the progress they’ve made in speaking confidently about those topics and to observe the thoughtful conversations they have with each other.”

At the Prospect Park Audubon Center, a team of 16 PYRs made a meaningful impact through encouraging visitors to “Be a Park Champion,” guiding parkgoers on how to care for their park with citizen science activities, nature observation, hands-on crafts and stewardship projects. PYRs engaged the community in important environmental topics, including pollinator diversity, pond water health, wildlife adaptation and woodland protection, while fostering a deeper connection to the park’s natural habitats. 

“It has been inspiring to watch the PYRs grow—becoming more confident in asking questions and resourceful in finding answers,” shared Alliance Public Programs Manager Camilla Wilson. “As they discovered this confidence, they became more open and welcoming to visitors. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the energy, curiosity and dedication they bring.”

In August, the WYC and PYRs came together for a career scavenger hunt to explore the breadth and diversity of careers in green spaces. Youth embarked on a search to find and meet with Alliance team members across departments to discuss careers. 

“The Park Youth Representatives and Woodlands Youth Crew are growing into something much bigger than part-time employment,” says Alliance Vice President of Public Programs Maria Carrasco. “These young leaders are gaining skills, confidence and mentorship that connect them to nature, to their community, and to future opportunities in school and careers.”

As part of the Alliance’s Youth Development Initiative, the programs are expanding to offer deeper training, year-round support, and clear pathways into higher education, green careers and civic leadership. The future of PYR and WYC is centered on growth, equity and impact, transforming work opportunities into long-term experiences that prepare Brooklyn teens to thrive as stewards of the park and as leaders. 

Learn more about Youth Employment Programs in Prospect Park.

Youth Employment Programs receive generous support from the Carol and Edmund Blake Foundation, the Gray Foundation, Macy’s and New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

Prospect Park Fall Checklist

Fall has arrived in Prospect Park, and just around the corner is a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow foliage. As the air turns crisp, Prospect Park Alliance has plenty of ideas for how you can celebrate the season in Brooklyn’s Backyard. 

Did you know the park is home to 30,000 trees and miles of woodland trails? Take a Fall foliage walk to truly enjoy the season. Also try your hand in birdwatching as hundreds of thousands of birds will pass through the area on their way south for the winter during fall migration.

Here’s your guide to experiencing the best of fall in our beloved park:

  1. Fall Foliage Walks

Check out Prospect Park Alliance’s favorite walking route for fall foliage destinations this autumn. From vibrant vistas at the Peninsula, colorful hues on Lookout Hill, tall maples and London Planes along the Nethermead and Lullwater, and much more. Don’t miss the peak of fall foliage right around the corner, near the end of October!

  1. Soar Into Fall Migration Season

Fall bird migration is in full swing, and Prospect Park is the place to be. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, Prospect Park is a haven for birds in all seasons, with 200+ species of resident and migratory birds. Autumn is an especially notable time for bird sightings as countless feathered friends embark on their lengthy journey to warmer climates. The park is a crucial rest stop for these species providing a critical haven for migratory birds to fuel up on seeds, berries and insects and find valuable protection as they venture south. Join the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance for Prospect Park Fall Migration Walks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in October.

  1. Volunteer in the Park: Park Pitch-Ins, Fall Fix Ups + Junior Volunteer Corps

Free, RSVP Required

Fall also presents an amazing time to deepen your commitment to Brooklyn’s Backyard by becoming a volunteer. From Park Pitch-in, Fall Fix Up and Junior Volunteer Corps events, the Alliance offers opportunities for all ages to get involved, stay active and enjoy lending a hand in the park during peak fall foliage season.

  1. Explore Nature at the Prospect Park Audubon Center

Learn more about nature with your little ones during free fall nature activities at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse Saturdays and Sundays through November. Make art out of fallen leaves, introduce your child to animals in the Audubon Center’s collection and explore on a fall nature walk to learn more about how the park’s insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes. Plus, enjoy Friday Wellness Walks starting from the Boathouse and strolling through fall park beauty including scenic trails along the Lullwater, Peninsula, Midwood or Waterfall. Want to bring your little, little ones along? Join for Stroller Walks past park waterways and through fall foliage on Thursdays through November.

  1. Enjoy Fall Carousel Rides

Take an autumn ride on Prospect Park’s beloved 1912 Carousel. Open Thursdays–Sundays, and holidays, 12–5 pm through November, this treasured historic attraction features magnificent carved horses, lions, giraffes and deer. You won’t want to miss the final weeks of Carousel fun. Plus, don’t be scared when you see the Carousel haunted on October 25, 26 and 30 + 31! Take a spin on the spooky ride to your favorite Halloween jams at the beloved, magical landmark in the Children’s Corner. 

  1. Explore Scenic Nature Trails

Did you know that Prospect Park is home to Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest? These 250 acres of scenic, natural areas include Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest and countless species of native plants and wildlife. The Alliance’s formal trail system features five routes through the heart of our forest, each with scenic viewpoints. Staying on these paved, wood-chipped, gravel and log-lined routes while exploring the park’s woodlands helps ensure that Brooklyn’s Backyard, including fragile wildlife habitats and native plants can continue to thrive. Make the most of your time in Brooklyn’s Backyard by visiting Fallkill Trail, Lullwater Trail, Peninsula Trail, Midwood Loop and Ravine Loop.

Halloween Fun in Prospect Park

Prospect Park Alliance is gearing up for Halloween fun in Brooklyn’s Backyard with Creepy Crawly Halloween at the Audubon Center and the Haunted Carousel at the beloved historic Carousel! Make the most of the season and don’t miss these fun filled festive events.

Harvest Fest + First Skate Weekend at Lakeside
Friday–Sunday, Oct 24–26 + Oct 31–Nov 2, Free, RSVP!
Registration is Required for all activities except public skate

Fall is here at Lakeside and to celebrate we’re hosting two weekends of fun with our first annual Harvest Festival kicking off October 24 and our first weekend of skating starting November 1! Grab your sweaters, your friends and your family. Enjoy pumpkin picking in our Lakeside pumpkin patch, decorate your very own jack-o-lantern, join free skating, face painting and dress to impress for our costume contests for kids and your puppy companions! Enjoy the crisp autumn air, sip on a seasonal warm drink from Duck Island Café, including hot chocolate, hot cider and local favorite, hot Hibiscus Brew, or grab a bite from a menu of rinkside classics including chili hotdogs and sheet pan pizza. Soak in the festive atmosphere surrounded by pumpkins, costumes, and the magic of the first skate of the season.

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Creepy Crawly Halloween
Saturday, October 25, 10 am-1 pm
Prospect Park Audubon Center

Take a second look at the creatures that give you the creeps, you may find you like them! Participate in fun activities and experiments that will make your spine tingle at Prospect Park Alliance’s Creepy Crawly Halloween.
Owl Pellet Dissection, 10 am-1 pm
Participants will have the opportunity to pick apart owl pellets, masses of undigested parts of food that owl species occasionally regurgitate!
Nature Chef’s Surprise, 11 am – 12 pm
Our nature chef has some tasty treats for you to try that are delicious, nutritious, and crunchy!  Take a nibble and earn a special certificate and boasting button.  Learn how this mystery treat is a sustainable alternative protein source filled with nutritional benefits.
Creepy Crawly Walk, 12-1 pm
Join the Creepy Crawly walk to search for Prospect Park’s creepy residents and explore the park.

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Haunted Carousel
Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, October 26 + Thursday, October 30 + Friday October 31, 12–5 pm
Prospect Park Carousel, $3 per ride; $13 for a book of 5 tickets; Free with Prospect Park Alliance Family Supporter membership or higher.

Don’t be scared when you see the haunted carousel! Take a spin on the spooky ride to your favorite Halloween jams at the beloved Prospect Park Carousel.

Join the Alliance at the Family Supporter  level and your family (up to 4 people) will receive unlimited rides on the Carousel for a full year!

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Spookysburg
Smorgasburg at Prospect Park, Free
Sunday, October 26, 11 am – 6 pm

Enjoy the last Smorgasburg of the season at Breeze Hill in Prospect Park! Enjoy your favorite local food purveyors alongisde a festive prize boo-nanza, arts and crafts, dance performers, roaming characters, face painting and more.

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Spooktober! At Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo, Free with Admission, Prices Vary

Go batty every weekend in October at the Prospect Park Zoo! Visit the tombstones of extinct animals in Sea Lion Court and learn why extinction isn’t inevitable with your help. Our Spooky Trail will show you some of our “spooky” neighbors who come out at night. Discover some Spooky Science and enjoy special live performances. Come in costume and take a photo at one of our beautiful harvest decoration areas.

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Prospect Park Murder Mystery Audio Tour
Gesso App, Free

Enjoy a thrilling murder mystery audio-tour, set in Prospect Park. When a key player goes missing at the marriage ceremony of the summer, reluctant wedding columnist Bobbi Rossetti transforms into an ad hoc investigative reporter on the case. Follow Bobbi through a fictional version of 1920s Prospect Park as she decodes the clues and uncovers a stunning secret in this immersive audio mystery. All you need are headphones and the Gesso mobile app to get started!

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Prospect Park Alliance Brings Hibiscus Brew to Prospect Park

September 17, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance has announced that Hibiscus Brew, a Brooklyn-based cafe, has launched a mobile food and beverage cart at the Bartel Pritchard Entrance to Prospect Park. Now open, the Hibiscus Brew cart, “The Bloom,” offers a full menu of refreshing drinks, smoothies, coffees, teas, pastries, and grab-and-go bites.  The cart is now open during select hours through September and will be open year-round from 7 am – 3 pm daily starting October 1. Visit @hibiscusbrew on Instagram for select September hours.

Hibiscus Brew’s island-inspired wellness food and beverage menu is rooted in Jamaican flavors and hand crafted in Brooklyn. Whether you’re grabbing a post-run smoothie, in search of a refreshing sorrel drink or a tropical juice for your walk through the park, the Hibiscus Brew cart is a new favorite wellness stop in Brooklyn’s Backyard.

Hibiscus Brew joins other food amenities that the Alliance has brought to the park in recent years, including Duck Island Cafe, Poetica Coffee, Purslane Cafe, Winner in the Park, King David Tacos, Lark by the Park, Smorgasburg and more. Learn more about all food destinations in the park at prospectpark.org/food.

“Prospect Park Alliance is dedicated to bringing healthy and affordable food options to Brooklyn’s Backyard, and Hibiscus Brew is a vibrant and beloved local staple of our community. I am especially proud to welcome this Black-owned, female-founded sustainable business, which will be an exciting addition to the food and drink offerings in Prospect Park and will help fuel all in our community to be their happiest and healthiest selves,” said Morgan Monaco, Prospect Park Alliance President.

“We at Hibiscus Brew always aim to create joy through food. Just like spending time in Prospect Park, food has the power to uplift your mood, body, and soul. We are honored to partner with Prospect Park Alliance to help Brooklynites prioritize joy in their lives through nourishing food and drink options. Our core principles revolve around the well-being of both ourselves and the environment. Quality and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do, and joining the park’s vibrant community is a perfect match,” said Allison Dunn, Owner and Founder, Hibiscus Brew.

Learn more about food options at prospectpark.org/food.

Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow

September 9, 2025

Join Prospect Park Alliance, the Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective (EL Collective), and American Indian Community House for the Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 from 12–7 pm + September 14, from 12–5 pm. 

The first Pow Wow held in Prospect Park since 1972, and the second ever Lenape Pow Wow in New York City, this free, two-day public event welcomes the original Indigenous Lenape peoples who were forced to relocate across the continent back to their ancestral homelands to reunite and share their cultures with Brooklynites today. Join the weekend of family friendly fun, culture, art and learning with Indigenous dancers, drummers, and artisan craft and food vendors.

Free, RSVP Today!

Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow
Saturday, September 13, 12–7 pm + Sunday September 14, 12–5 pm
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park

Lenape/Lunáapeew 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. Pow Wows are gatherings where Lenape/Lunáapeew and neighboring Indigenous nations socialize and celebrate life. Prospect Park hosted intertribal Pow Wows from 1916 to 1972. EL Collective Founder George Stonefish organized the First United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow at the Park Avenue Armory in 2018. In 2024, Prospect Park Alliance held a culture fair with the American Indian House and EL Collective as a precursor to this year’s Pow Wow. 

“Reviving the Pow Wow tradition in Prospect Park provides the Lenape/Lunáapeew who were forced to relocate across the continent back to their ancestral homelands to reunite and celebrate, and offers Brooklynites of all backgrounds the chance to immerse themselves in the cultures of the original stewards of this land,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains the park in partnership with the City. “This historic event is a crucial step in healing deep-seated wounds from our nation’s past and ensuring that all in our community see themselves in our programming. We are grateful to our partners, EL Collective and the American Indian Community House, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, for making this celebration possible.”

“New York’s Lenape heritage continues to have a profound effect on our city today, and I’m thrilled to see this rich legacy celebrated and honored,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “My agency is proud to support this remarkable event welcoming back the Lenape people to their ancestral homelands. It gives us all the opportunity to engage with and celebrate their rich culture through the artists, creators, performers, crafts and foods that will be included in the festivities. This first Pow Wow held in Prospect Park since 1972 also creates an especially meaningful moment for us to come together as we reflect on the 400th anniversary of our city’s founding as New Amsterdam.”

“We are thrilled to join our partners at Prospect Park Alliance, American Indian Community House and the City in our work to bring together our Lenape communities from across Turtle Island,” said George Stonefish, Founder of EL Collective, which brings together Lenape/Lunáapeew communities who have been displaced across Turtle Island (North America). “This Pow Wow serves as an educational message to the broader community, and a social and cultural message for us, the Lenape people. We want all to leave the Pow Wow with a deeper understanding about why we as contemporary Native Americans still follow our culture, practice our dances and share our songs today.”

“This event holds significant cultural and historical importance, serving as a vibrant celebration of the rich traditions, heritage, and enduring spirit of the Lenape/Lunáapeew people,” said Patricia Tarrant, Executive Director of American Indian Community House. “The Pow Wow not only fosters cultural awareness and appreciation but also brings together diverse communities in the spirit of unity and respect. Events like this provide an invaluable platform for both education and cultural exchange. We commend the organizers, participants, and supporters of the Pow Wow for their dedication and hard work in showcasing and honoring these traditions. It is through such gatherings that we can build stronger, more inclusive communities that recognize and cherish the contributions of Native American cultures to our shared history.”

“We’re proud to welcome the Lenape Pow Wow back to New York City and Prospect Park! Great public parks have the power to bring people together, build connections, and foster community, so it’s so appropriate that ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’ will host this celebration of Lenape/Lunáapeewand heritage and culture,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “We look forward to welcoming everybody to this great event, reviving the tradition of formal Pow Wows in Prospect Park.”

The Pow Wow is part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative, which is transforming the park’s Lefferts Historic House 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 the Africans who were enslaved by the Lefferts family. On view at Lefferts in conjunction with the Pow Wow is Eelunaapéewi Ehaptoonáakanal: Voices of Lunáapeew/ Lenape, an exhibit celebrating 400 years of Indigenous resilience. Featuring video interviews with Lunáapeew/Lenape knowledge-keepers and culture bearers about their relationships to their ancestral homelands, including those with the EL Collective.

“New Yorkers are deeply interested in the original peoples of this land and their heritage, culture and art,” said Dylan Yeats Ph.D., Prospect Park Alliance’s Lefferts Historic House museum director. “Prospect Park Alliance seeks to welcome the original peoples of this land to the park and support their efforts to preserve and share their traditions. This Pow Wow will be very special since Lenape from across the continent will be reconnecting with their lands and each other. It is a real privilege and honor for Brooklynites to be able to host and participate in this historic event, which will also be incredibly fun.”

This Pow Wow is presented with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and ally sponsorship from Middle Church.

c.Elizabeth Keegin Colley

City of Forest Day in Prospect Park

September 8, 2025

Join Prospect Park Alliance at the fourth annual City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 4 in Prospect Park. Presented by Forest for All NYC in partnership with the Parks and Open Space Partners – NYC Coalition and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Forest Day is a day of activities across the city to raise awareness of the importance of the New York City urban forest, and the essential role New Yorkers play every day in caring for the “lungs” of our city. Prospect Park Alliance presents an array of activities to raise awareness and celebrate Brooklyn’s last remaining forest including nature education programming, a volunteer opportunity and more!

Check out the full list of 50+ events happening across New York City!

Prospect Park Events:

Park Pitch In: City of Forest Day
Saturday, October 4, 11 am–2 pm
Dog Beach, Free, Registration Required
Join Prospect Park Alliance for a Park Pitch In volunteer event on City of Forest Day a citywide effort to raise awareness and celebrate New York City’s urban forest! Prospect Park Alliance volunteers will plant nearly 400 trees and shrubs as well as perform weeding and tree bed care to restore Prospect Park’s beloved landscape. Appropriate for groups, teens and adults.

Canceled: Nature Exploration: City of Forest Day

Please note that Nature Exploration canceled on Saturday, October 4 , 10 am–1 pm. Thank you for your understanding and we hope you will join us for another City of Forest Day event.

Audubon Center, Free
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education activities to learn about and celebrate New York City’s urban forest!
Leaf Art, 10–12 pm: Let’s have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
Animal Encounter, 11 am–12 pm: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 11 am.
Fall Nature Walk, 12–1 pm: Join us as we discover the wonders of nature! Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes. Plus, you’ll learn how to protect trees from pests. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 12 pm.

Prospect Park Tree Count
Saturday, October 4, 11am-1pm
Picnic House in Prospect Park, Registration Required
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025 and celebrate City of Forest Day! At each event you will receive a tote bag with all the materials needed to count trees. Next, we’ll provide a 20-minute training session that includes the basics of tree identification and how to measure and assess each tree. Using our Tree Census app, you’ll split up into different zones within the park to start counting trees! After completing your first training event, you are welcome to continue counting trees on your own in smaller parks across the city.

Free Fall Wellness Events in Brooklyn’s Backyard

Autumn wellness opportunities are in full swing in Brooklyn’s Backyard! Don’t miss out on exploring some of the park’s most scenic destinations each week while prioritizing your health and wellness all season long.

Learn more about Health and Wellness in Brooklyn’s Backyard.

Women’s Health + Wellness Meet-Up + Meditation Series
Friday, September 26, + Friday, October 3 9:30–10:30 am
10th Avenue Lawn, Free, RSVP
Join Tell Every Amazing Lady® and Prospect Park Alliance for a wellness meet-up and discussion on the natural changes of health in a woman’s lifespan. Join a group discussion of the changes that women face from puberty to menopause and beyond, and enjoy a guided meditation led by a licensed physical therapist focused on wellness for all life stages.

Prospect Park Wellness Walks
Fridays, September–December 19, 10–11 am
Audubon Center, Free, RSVP
Join Prospect Park Alliance at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for an uplifting and energizing morning walk including scenic trails along the Lullwater, Peninsula, Midwood or Waterfall. Please note, this walk leaves promptly at 10 am from the Prospect Park Audubon Center.

Prospect Park Stroller Walks
Thursdays, September–December 18, 10 am–11 am
Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free, RSVP
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds.

Sexual Health Mobile Medical Unit
Mondays, Parkside + Ocean Avenue Entrance, Thursdays, Grand Army Plaza, 10 am–3 pm
Free
Prospect Park Alliance is collaborating with NewYork-Presbyterian to offer comprehensive sexual health services in Brooklyn’s backyard at Grand Army Plaza every Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm and every Monday at the Willink Entrance from 10 am to 3 pm. The NewYork-Presbyterian Sexual Health Mobile Medical Unit is a safe, inclusive space for people to receive high-quality sexual health services.

Dance Fitness with Shape Up NYC at the Boathouse
Saturdays in September, 10–11 am
Boathouse, Free
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Shape-up NYC for a fun-filled dance fitness zumba class at the Boathouse! Zumba is a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system.

Open House New York in Prospect Park

Mark your calendar! Registration for Open House New York begins Friday, October 3 for events city-wide including exciting happenings in Brooklyn’s Backyard. Join Prospect Park Alliance for a tour of the Prospect Park Vale with an inside look at the upcoming restoration to make it more welcoming and accessible to all Brooklyn residents. Plus, join the Alliance and the NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers for an inside look at the Soldiers’ + Sailors’ Memorial Arch, which was recently restored by Prospect Park Alliance.

Save the date! Registration begins on Monday October 3:

OHNY: Re-Envisioning the Prospect Park Vale
Saturday, October 18, 11 am-12 pm + 12 – 1 pm
Registration coming soon!

Join Jillian Pagano, Landscape Architect II, and Deborah Kirschner, Vice President of External Relations, at Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit that sustains Prospect Park in partnership with the City, to learn about the upcoming restoration of the Prospect Park Vale in the northeast corner of the park. Learn about the Alliance’s plans to transform the Vale, an important woodland landscape that serves as a critical habitat to birds and other wildlife, and the extensive community outreach and engagement efforts that led to a new vision for this lesser-known park landscape to make it more welcoming and accessible to all Brooklyn residents. The former Rose Garden has served many functions since the park opened in 1867. It was originally a Children’s Playground, complete with the Park’s first, horse-driven carousel, and then became a formal Rose Garden, with three pools with goldfish and lilies, at the turn of the 19th century as part of the City Beautiful movement. In its heyday, children would line the pond banks and race miniature toy boats. In the 1890s, the renowned firm of McKim, Mead and White replaced the pond’s soft edge with a formal marble and granite balustrade.

This tour will be led on pedestrian pathways but closed toed shoes would be recommended, particularly if there are rainy conditions. The area is not ADA-accessible. It will be fully outdoors.

Please note there will be two hour-long tours: 10:00 am – 11:00 am and 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

OHNY: Re-Envisioning the Prospect Park Vale
Saturday, October 18, 10 am-2 pm
Registration coming soon!

Enjoy an inside look at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park! Join the NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers to tour the American Civil War monument, which has been recently restored by the Prospect Park Alliance. Visitors will learn about the exterior and interior restoration, and ascend three flights of stairs inside the arch to view the “Trophy Room” above the archway. Tours will delve into the history of the arch, the Brooklynites commemorated who served during the Civil War, and the work to preserve the memorial for future generations.

Ticketed tours will be held every 30 minutes from 10 am-2 pm.

Soil Superfood: Biochar Helps Landscapes Thrive

August 13, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance’s Design and Construction team is constantly innovating to sustain, restore and advance Brooklyn’s Backyard: whether making a green park greener, crafting award-winning designs, and most recently, implementing a new method to boost the health of the park’s soil. In Fall of 2024, you may have spotted the Alliance at work on an innovative technique to help the park’s soil thrive around the newly restored path near the Garfield Entrance to Prospect Park. The team added an organic type of charcoal, called “biochar,” to the area to boost the impact of the team’s work to “decompact” soil and help the landscape thrive. Biochar acts as a nutrient-rich soil superfood which allows the soil to become more porous and facilitates the absorption of oxygen and nutrients. In just 9 months since first adding biochar to the area, the site has already seen improvements with stormwater management, soil enhancement and tree health.

Trees near the Garfield entrance before decompaction in Fall 2024, left. The same area with lush grass and leafed-out trees in Summer 2025, right.

As millions of park-goers explore Brooklyn’s backyard each year, soil can become compacted, which can prevent trees from absorbing retaining the water and nutrients that they need. This area had become compacted over time, so upon completing the path restoration, the team set to “decompact” the ground with the special addition of biochar. “Without damaging roots, we use an air-powered tool to create pockets in the root area of the tree. This creates a void that can be filled with compost, or in this case, top soil mixed with biochar,” says Prospect Park Alliance Construction Supervisor, Mathew Hall. “This gives the tree’s roots the chance to grow longer, wider and even laterally.”

“Biochar is a very fine type of charcoal created from heating leaves, branches, and other natural matter at a really high temperature without oxygen,” explained Prospect Park Alliance Landscape Architect, Jillian Pagano. “An example of how this organic charcoal could occur naturally is after a forest fire, where natural debris could smolder on the ground beneath a layer of ash without oxygen. At that high of a temperature, all of the gases and nutrients released become locked into a solid that naturally decomposes into soil and enhances the soil’s ability to retain water.” This makes biochar an excellent addition to newly planted landscapes in areas where the soil needs some extra support to remain healthy.

Alliance Construction Supervisor, Mathew Hall (left), and Alliance Landscape Architect, Jillian Pagano (right) share about the early signs of widespread benefits of Biochar in the park.

Thanks to the porous makeup of biochar, the area is now set up to better retain storm water and the team has already observed a decrease in rain water pooling. “By incorporating biochar instead of the usual soil mixture, our goal is to create more longevity in the decompaction process throughout the park,” says Hall. Pagano adds, “If success is seen in the long term–in 5 years as opposed to just 1 year–then we can look to other projects where adding biochar to the decompaction process could create more nutrients and water retention capabilities in the soil.”

Since the initial addition of biochar to this area, the Alliance’s Landscape Management team has planted witchhazel, winterberry, azaleas and spicebush shrubs, some of which first bloomed in spring and are continuing to thrive this summer. The grass has returned to the area and trees have leafed out–a sign of health all around!

Interested in lending a hand to Prospect Park Alliance on projects like these? The best way to help is by remembering to Be a Park Champion. Staying on paths, respecting fencing, keeping dogs on leash outside of designated hours and areas, and cycling only on the park drive helps keep the park’s soil healthy for our landscapes to thrive.

Learn more about the projects the Prospect Park Alliance Design and Construction team is working on to advance our park.