Author: Laura Robinson

Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow

August 18, 2025

Join Prospect Park Alliance, Éenda-Lŭnaapeewáhkiing Collective, which brings together Lunáapeew/Lenape communities who have been displaced across Turtle Island (North America), and American Indian Community House, which promotes the well-being and visibility of the American Indian community, for the Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park. 

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.

Second United Lenape/Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow
Saturday, September 13 + Sunday September 14, 12–6 pm
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park

Pow Wows are gatherings where Lenape/Lunáapeew and neighboring Indigenous nations socialize and celebrate life. Prospect Park hosted formal Pow Wows from 1916 to 1972. Reviving this tradition in Prospect Park provides the Lenape/Lunáapeew an opportunity to celebrate their culture in their homelands and offers Brooklynites of all backgrounds the chance to enjoy the drumming, dancing, singing, art, crafts and foods of the original stewards of this land. 

Lenape grandfather 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 the Pow Wow. Prospect Park Alliance is honored to help continue this important tradition by hosting Lenape and allied Indigenous artists and creators, dancers and drummers, and artisan craft and food vendors in Prospect Park for a weekend of family-friendly culture, learning and fun.

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

The Pow Wow is part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative, which is transforming the 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 Africans who were enslaved by the Lefferts family.

Currently on view at Lefferts in connection 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.

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.

Explore Scenic Trails in Prospect Park

August 10, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks launched the park’s first formal nature trail system in Prospect Park, with five routes through the heart of the park’s 350 acres of woodlands and waterways, including Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest that is home to hundreds of species of native plants and wildlife. In addition, the Old Growth Forest Network, the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth native forests, also designated Prospect Park as Brooklyn’s official Old Growth Forest, which means it is the oldest known forest in Brooklyn. 

Explore these routes and enjoy upcoming tours, family-friendly nature education activities and more: prospectpark.org/trails.

“Getting lost in our woodlands is part of the beauty and magic of Prospect Park,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance, which is responsible for the care of the park’s natural areas. “Since the pandemic, Prospect Park has seen a boom in park visitors exploring these scenic natural areas. While these connections are critical for the health and well-being of our community, it also places this fragile ecosystem at risk. Through this formalized trail system, we welcome the public to enjoy these special places while also protecting wildlife habitats.”  

“Our forests and natural areas are places of relaxation and contemplation. With formalized trails in Prospect Park, we’re making it easier for New Yorkers to unwind from the stresses of urban living and connect with the vibrant natural world that surrounds us, while also protecting the ecology of these wild spaces,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “We’re grateful to our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance, and we’re proud of our shared work to care for Brooklyn’s Backyard for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

The Alliance partnered with NYC Parks to map all trails in the park’s natural areas, including both official paths and visitor-created “desire lines.” With this comprehensive mapping, the Alliance’s dedicated Landscape Management team strategically worked to formalize key trails, inviting parkgoers to explore some of the park’s most scenic locations. Some of the desire lines were formalized, while others were closed through eco-friendly techniques, such as using downed branches to create natural hedges and through the planting of native trees, plants and shrubs. 

“The primary goal of formalizing our trail system is to help our forest remain healthy and vibrant, and invite our community to enjoy these spaces responsibly,” said Leila Mougoui Bakhtiari, Alliance Director of Landscape Management. “The fire we experienced in November 2024, which burned two acres of our woodlands, is a vivid example of just how vulnerable these areas can be. Hundreds of species of native plants and wildlife depend on our forest, and we encourage all who come to experience the park’s natural areas to stay on the designated trails, carry out all that you bring in, and keep dogs on-leash to protect these delicate habitats.” 

Through the dedicated work of the Alliance’s Landscape Management team and volunteers over the past several years, five scenic routes are now ready to welcome visitors: Lullwater Trail, Peninsula Trail, Midwood Loop, Ravine Loop, and  Fallkill Trail, which first opened to the public in 2023. Each paved, wood-chipped, gravel and log-lined route route is clearly marked with signage and specially designed blazes, and a complementary web page includes guided tours of the routes through Bloomberg Connects. 

“It is with pleasure and pride that we welcome Prospect Park into the Old-Growth Forest Network as the forest representative for Kings County. To honor and celebrate this extraordinary forest is to honor and celebrate the extraordinary people who have valued and protected it. We want to recognize Prospect Park Alliance, the NYC Parks’ Natural Resources Group and volunteers as well as all of Prospect Park’s previous stewards and advocates for their work in preserving this special forest for future generations,” said Sarah RobbGrieco, Old-Growth Forest Network’s Northeast Regional Manager.

Background on Prospect Park Natural Areas

Prospect Park is home to 350 acres of natural areas, including meadows, forest and lake in the heart of Brooklyn—essential for the community and the plants and animals who rely on this green haven. Since its founding, Prospect Park Alliance has undertaken an extensive restoration of the park’s natural areas, including the woodland Ravine and the park’s historic watercourse and lake, which suffered from significant erosion and neglect. The Alliance’s work to restore the Park’s woodlands over the past two decades represents a $15 million investment that has encompassed nearly 200 acres of woodlands, and the planting and ongoing care of more than 500,000 trees, plants and shrubs.

For the past 30 years, these natural areas have been and continue to be the primary focus of Prospect Park Alliance’s work. The Alliance’s Landscape Management team includes ecologists, ecological zone gardeners, wildlife and aquatic technicians, an arborist and more who work tirelessly to make the woodlands healthy and resilient to the challenges faced by an urban forest in the era of climate change. Through their management, Brooklynites will have a flourishing forest in their midst for generations to come.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Begins New Chapter

July 10, 2025

With summer in full swing, Prospect Park Alliance is kicking off a new chapter at one of its most popular destinations, the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Following renovations and with new operators in place, the Center will reopen for rollerskating, boating and–for the first time–pickleball, on the weekend of August 2 + 3. 

Join us for a weekend of free events and rink admission to celebrate our new chapter! RSVP to receive the full schedule of events: prospectpark.org/lakeside-celebration.

“The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is one of the most ambitious projects in Prospect Park Alliance’s history,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “Since its opening in 2013, we have served hundreds of thousands of community members each year with dynamic programs and activities. With the selection of new operators, extensive renovations, and the appointment of the first LeFrak Center Director, we are looking at a bright future.”

Following a competitive request-for-proposal process, the Alliance has selected new operators for the LeFrak Center and its cafe: Ekstein Development Group and Purslane, respectively. Ekstein is a local company with a strong track record of running rinks, including City Ice Pavilion and World Ice Arena in Queens, and brings a deep passion for skating and engaging local communities. 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. 

“We are very excited to partner with Prospect Park Alliance to bring a wide range of year-round activities to LeFrak Center for the community,” said Erik Ekstein, President and CEO of Ekstein Development Group. “Lakeside will continue to provide ice skating, ice hockey, roller skating, roller disco, roller hockey, curling and boating in season, with the addition of new activities such as pickleball and yoga. Other sporting and entertainment opportunities for the community will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.”  

“We are excited to bring a refreshed experience to all community members seeking delicious food and drink in this vibrant area of the park,” said Henry Rich, Managing Partner of the Oberon Group. “We also will be partnering with local businesses in Flatbush and beyond to host pop-ups and special events.”

With the Center having surpassed its 10-year mark, the Alliance also has been addressing wear and tear at this heavily used facility. Among the recent renovations are improvements to the Splash Pad, the park’s largest water play area, which operates on the Center’s uncovered rink in the summer months, as well the restrooms and lighting on site. The Alliance has also appointed a LeFrak Center Director and an on-site team that will oversee operations and ensure an excellent visitor experience to keep the rink in a state of good repair. These efforts have been informed by feedback the Alliance has received from the community.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside is the largest and most ambitious project in Prospect Park since its creation over 150 years ago. Learn more about the Center and the Alliance’s work to transform the southeast corner of Prospect Park into a popular scenic and recreational destination.

Alliance Unveils Monuments to Motherhood

April 22, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks have unveiled a new sculpture by artist and activist Molly Gochman at the Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park as part of NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program. A work from the artist’s Monuments to Motherhood series, the fifteen-foot-tall bronze sculpture honors caregiving in all its forms, recognizing those who nurture, sustain, and support their communities—often in ways that go unseen. Across the country, public statuary rarely reflects these essential contributions, and the role of care remains largely overlooked in civic spaces. This sculpture offers a powerful acknowledgment of those whose labor holds society together and stands as a testament to the generations that came before us. The sculpture will be on view near the Grand Army Plaza Entrance for 1 year until May 2026.

The installation is accompanied by a season of programming at various sites, including family-friendly events in the spring and summer and a special gathering on Mother’s Day in Prospect Park, designed to engage the public in conversations about motherhood, caregiving, and how we honor our collective histories.

“This work is a monument to all of us, including the millions of people—parents, nurses, childcare workers, home health aides—who perform acts of care every day, often without recognition,” Molly Gochman shared. “It feels deeply resonant to bring this sculpture to Grand Army Plaza, a site of both public commemoration and everyday movement. My hope is that by engaging in dialogue about caregiving, we can illuminate its vital role and celebrate this universal and essential act.”

“Caregiving is truly an act of love—whether it’s tending to the soil to help plants grow, nurturing a little one taking their first steps, or sitting on a bench taking in the sun. We’re honored that Prospect Park is where Brooklynites come to care for themselves and each other—the park is truly a backbone that we all rely on for comfort and connection,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “The park is a natural fit as home to Monuments to Motherhood, as caregiving is embedded in so much of what we do at the Alliance through our work sustaining natural areas, fostering community, providing opportunities for wellness and more. Molly’s work is a powerful addition to Brooklyn’s monument landscape, and a step to ensure monuments reflect and honor the people who shape our communities through care and love.”

“It is so fitting that Monuments to Motherhood is taking its place in Prospect Park. Just as caregivers do, our public greenspaces make communities safer and stronger, helping New Yorkers connect with one another and find inspiration in the great outdoors. In turn, we care for our public parks through stewardship, ensuring these vital living resources remain resilient and healthy for generations to come,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re proud to enhance our public spaces with world-class art installations like this, sparking moments of delight and reflection for New Yorkers and visitors alike. We’re grateful to the artist and our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance for bringing this thought-provoking piece to Brooklyn’s backyard.”

This series emerged from Gochman’s investigation into the public monument landscape, where she sought to challenge some of the prevailing narratives she discovered—dominated mostly by depictions of white men and glorifications of acts of war—and instead create a monument to the immaterial and essential act of care. Through this installation, Gochman continues her work of reshaping commemoration, offering a powerful reflection on caregiving, community and the narratives we choose to elevate in public space.

Gochman created the sculptures in the Monuments to Motherhood series using armatures built from repurposed household items, such as bowls, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil, that symbolize the hidden labor of care. These temporary structures served as the foundation for looping layers of epoxy clay coils, reflecting an interconnected network of relationships and mutual support. She then cast the sculptures at a large scale in bronze, a valuable material chosen for its association with high art and the traditional language of monuments, as well as for its ability to last longer than other metals while still holding the potential for alchemical changes. Participation is a central feature in Gochman’s artistic practice. When visitors touch these sculptures, the natural oils from their hands will, over time, subtly alter the patina. That evolving surface echoes the unpredictable, ongoing, and enduring imprint of care in all of our lives through an act of collective creation.

The Monuments to Motherhood project also includes a podcast series of the same name, exploring themes of caregiving, motherhood, artmaking, and monumentalization. 

The Public Theater Returns to Prospect Park

April 18, 2025

Join Prospect Park Alliance and The Public Theater for the Mobile Unit’s performance of the beloved romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing at one of the most scenic areas in Brooklyn’s Backyard! 

The Public Theater: Much Ado About Nothing
Saturday, June 28 + Sunday, June 29, 6:30 pm – Prospect Park Peninsula
Let us know you’re coming + receive more information!

The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit celebrates its 15th year with a tour across all five boroughs, including two nights of free theater in the heart of Prospect Park. Directed by Rebecca Martínez, this new take on the classic tale of love, deception, and misunderstandings blends Spanish, music, and Shakespeare’s timeless wit. 

All performances take place outdoors at the Prospect Park Peninsula. Chair seating is available but limited, and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP is not required for entry, but recommended to receive details and exciting content about the show.

Molière in the Park Returns to LeFrak Center at Lakeside

April 9, 2025

While LeFrak Center at Lakeside is closed for the seasonal transition to warm weather fun, you won’t want to miss a month of free theater in the heart of Brooklyn’s Backyard!

Join Prospect Park Alliance and Molière in the Park for a free full production of The Imaginary Invalid at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.

The Imaginary Invalid, Molière’s last play, was originally written as an immersive Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance and music are intertwined. Gravely ill while writing and performing this play, Molière explores the fear of death and the exploitation it can breed through his infinitely witty dialogue and in-your-face satire. Molière in the Park’s production will feature a new translation by Lucie Tiberghien, as well as original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt and music by cellist Jonathan Akuma Moore. The show is roughly 100 minutes with no intermission.

Learn more and reserve your free tickets here!

Performance Dates:

Thursday, May 8, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 9, 11 am – Student Matinee

Friday, May 9, 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 10, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 pm

Monday, May 12, 7:30 pm – Opening Night Reception at 6 pm + Benefit Show at 7:30 pm, plus a post-show celebration with the cast and crew!

Wednesday, May 14, 11 am – Student Matinee

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 16,  7:30 pm

Saturday, May 17, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 18,  7:30 pm

Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 23,  7:30 pm

Saturday, May 24, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 25, 3:00 pm

Sunday May 25, 7:30 pm

 

About Molière in the Park

Molière in the Park’s (MIP) mission is to promote empathy and unity within the diverse communities in Brooklyn through the arts. MIP offers free opportunities for all to come together in Prospect Park and experience the benefits of theater. MIP’s vision is of a Brooklyn where all communities can benefit equally from access to theater and the Arts.

Alliance Awarded $1.5 Million from Mellon Foundation

March 12, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance has received a $1.5 million Humanities in Place grant from the Mellon Foundation to create new outdoor exhibits for Lefferts Historic House Museum as part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative. This initiative seeks to re-envision the mission and programming at the museum to recognize its role as a site of dispossession and enslavement, and explore the stories of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking whose unceded ancestral lands the house rests upon and the Africans who were enslaved by the Lefferts family.

This grant follows a $275,000 Mellon grant awarded to the Alliance in 2023, which enabled the Alliance to develop the ReImagine Lefferts Interpretive Plan, created in 2024 by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), designers of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. This plan will advance our work to recognize the site’s history, connect with descendant communities and help anchor the narratives of those who have traditionally been silenced.

“ReImagine Lefferts is a critical initiative for Prospect Park Alliance, and we are greatly appreciative of the Mellon Foundation for providing the funding to make this vision possible,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “As the Alliance’s first Black leader, I am honored to be ushering in a new era of recognition and celebration of the stories and histories that have been ignored for centuries. This initiative is an important step of many to help heal deep-seated wounds from our nation’s past. By bringing this interpretive plan to life, we seek to make the museum a place for healing, as well as a forum for thoughtful dialogue and learning for our community, and are grateful for our partners at the Mellon Foundation for their recognition of this essential work and its impact.” 

The interpretive plan is centered on a series of outdoor exhibits that engage park visitors. Upon entrance to the grounds, there will be large-scale panels curated by representatives from nations across the Lenape diaspora and a Dikenga Cosmogram that honors the ancient  wisdom Africans brought with them to the Americas. The plan also features outdoor exhibits about the Lenape creation story, a Freedom-Seeker wall, and spaces for live events and programs that do not shy away from the history of dispossession and enslavement, but emphasize and celebrate the inspirational resilience of descendant communities today and the ways their cultures endure. As a first step in the new interpretation, the Alliance also launched its first artist-in-residence, Adama Delphine Fawundu’s large-scale site-specific installation, Ancestral Whispers in Spring 2024.

“We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for their recognition of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative. With descendent community guidance, we created an amazing new plan to more fully commemorate Brooklyn’s Indigenous and African histories in the landscape. To now take the next step to bring it to life is transformative,” said Dylan Yeats, Ph.D. Prospect Park Alliance Director of Museum Operations and Programs. “One of the most important things we learned throughout the process is the necessity of ongoing partnerships with individuals and organizations already stewarding this living history, and it really is the brilliance, creativity and vision of our community partners that make this initiative a success. We look forward to making this plan a reality thanks to this generous funding.”

The design of the new museum interpretation will begin in the coming months, and the Alliance  looks forward to welcoming the community to the house for a workshop or series of workshops that will inform the design.

Learn more about the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative.

Pinkster Day Celebration in Prosepct Park

Community Writing Workshop: Mapping Black History in Brooklyn

February 3, 2025

Calling all writers and artists! This Black History month, join Prospect Park Alliance partners Voices of Lefferts and GrowHouse for a series of free writing workshops to record and map Black history in Brooklyn to create a collective archive. All genres of writing, as well as visual art, are welcome. Those selected will learn about the history of Black Brooklyn with local experts, work with a writing coach, and have their work published! 

These free community workshops will take place every other Saturday from February 22 through May 31 from 3-5 pm at sites throughout Brooklyn, including Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park. 

Sign Up Today: prospectpark.org/mapping-black-history

Space is limited! Sign up by February 14. Participants will be selected and notified by February 18. Questions? Contact info@voicesoflefferts.org

Mapping Black History in Brooklyn marks the 400th anniversary of New York’s founding as “New Amsterdam,” which also marked the occupation of Lenapehoking, the native land of the Lenape, and the enslavement of Africans by the Dutch. This project builds on a Black History and Heritage Corridor established last year by GrowHouse. 

In addition to Lefferts, the workshops will delve into history at the Flatbush African Burial Ground, Center for Brooklyn History and Weeksville Heritage Center. Participants will explore a trove of archives, artifacts and research with experts and public historians, and selected writers will also work with a dedicated writing coach. This community effort will produce new interpretive signage at Black historic and contemporary sites, and will include publishing two special issues of Voices of Lefferts and producing a podcast series.

Writers and artists from across the borough with of all levels of experience are invited to share their stories, reflect on where we’re headed as a nation and to build an archive to combat the erasure of history by those aiming to turn back the clock on the study of history, civil rights, voting rights, reproductive rights and more. Organizers are also looking for community members to conduct oral histories, and volunteers who are willing to share their time, talents and skills on this timely and important project. 

Plus, Calling Young Brooklyn Visual Artists!

GrowHouse’s second annual Youth Design Competition for visual artists ages 15-24 kicks off on Monday, February 10! This is a chance for emerging creatives to showcase their work on signs all over Brooklyn, gain mentorship from professional artists and designers, and compete for a $1,000 cash prize.

Keep an eye out for more details to come in the coming weeks for passionate young artists who want to make an impact through design. Interested? Sign up for updates from GrowHouse to stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

Celebrate Black History Month in Prospect Park

Celebrate Black History Month in Prospect Park! Join Prospect Park Alliance and our partners at the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness for family-friendly events in Brooklyn’s Backyard to honor Black history, create community artwork centered on peace, hear about the actual history of Black History Month and celebrate the legacy of Black trailblazers in Brooklyn.

Peace Over Prejudice: Black History Month
Sunday, February 16, 2–5 pm
Lefferts Historic House, Free, RSVP!

Join Prospect Park Alliance and the 67th Precinct Clergy Council for an afternoon of painting, history, food and community at Lefferts Historic House. This unique spin on the traditional “sip and paint” invites our community to contribute to a collective artwork, blending creativity and community-building, while standing against hate and recognizing Black history. 

Shirley Chisholm Superhero Cape and Resiliency Workshops
Sunday, February 23, 12–4 pm, Resiliency Workshop Begins at 2 pm
Lefferts Historic House, Free, RSVP!

Join Prospect Park Alliance, the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness at Lefferts Historic House for a family-friendly event for all ages to create and showcase superhero capes inspired by the legacy of Shirley Chisholm and participate in an all-ages workshop beginning at 2 pm on Cultivating Resilience Through Self-Compassion.

Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm was a superhero and so are you! Bring scraps of fabric or use of fabric provided to decorate your own superhero cape, inspired by Chisholm and her legacy as a beacon of perseverance and dedication in Brooklyn and far beyond. As a leader and an advocate for residents of Brooklyn and the country at large, Chisholm made a profound impact fighting for equality for all.

At 2 pm, join the interactive all-ages community workshop, Cultivating Resilience Through Self-Compassion, designed to help you navigate fear and uncertainty. Through guided activities tailored for all age groups, you will map the physiological signs of stress and joy in your body, identifying what triggers these feelings and what restores balance. By recognizing these cues, you’ll learn how to “breathe life” into the practices that bring peace and resilience. This workshop starts at 2 pm and lasts 90 minutes.

These events are part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative to re-envision the mission and programming of the Lefferts Historic House Museum in Prospect Park to focus on exploring the lives, resistance and resilience of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking, whose unceded ancestral lands the park and house rests upon, and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. By focusing on stories of resistance, resilience, empowerment and joy, while also recognizing the legacies of dispossession, enslavement and oppression, the Alliance seeks to create a safe space for engaging with our collective past as well as contemporary issues affecting our communities today.