Community Visioning Sessions: Lincoln Road and Third Street Playground Restorations
September 20, 2023
Help Prospect Park Alliance envision the future of the Lincoln Road and Third Street Playgrounds. Both playgrounds are being restored through $3 million each in funding from Borough President Antonio Reynoso and the City, respectively. Your survey responses will help inform the design of the restored playgrounds, which will go into reconstruction in 2025.
Earlier in the month, Prospect Park Alliance held a series of workshops to engage our community in envisioning the future of the Lincoln Road Playground and the Third Street Playground.
Lincoln Road Playground Community Visioning Sessions
In-Park Workshop
Tuesday, October 10, 3-6 pm
Third Street Playground
In-Park Workshop
Sunday, October 15, 10 am-2 pm
Third Street Playground
c. Caroline Ourso
City of Forest Day in Prospect Park
Join Prospect Park Alliance at the second annual City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 14 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 forest including nature education programming and a volunteer opportunity in Brooklyn’s Backyard.
Park Pitch In: City of Forest Day 11:00 am – 2:00 pm 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 over 100 native trees to restore Prospect Park’s beloved landscape, which has seen the loss of a significant number of ash trees since 2017 due to Emerald Ash Borer, a deadly wood-boring beetle. Tree planting and other greening opportunities will be focused on the park entrance on Flatbush Avenue near Empire Boulevard, adjacent to the park’s Children’s Corner, and the surrounding park perimeter. This event is suitable for groups, teens and adults.
Park Pitch In: City of Forest Day is made possible thanks to funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Urban and Community Forestry Program, NYS Environmental Protection Fund and the USDA Forest Service.
City of Forest Day: Nature Exploration 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Free, no advance registration necessary
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Audubon New York for nature exploration activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center on City of Forest Day, a citywide effort to raise awareness and celebrate New York City’s urban forest. Prospect Park is home to over 30,000 trees of more than 175 species. Each of these trees is an important part of our thriving wildlife habitat and home to many species of mammals, birds and bugs.
Morning Bird Walk, 9 – 10:30 am: Join Audubon New York for a bird walk starting and ending at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 9:00 am. Binoculars will be provided but attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars if you have them.
Nature Around Us, 10 am – 1 pm: Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home. Learn how to use the iNaturalist App and identify species throughout our park ecosystem, view a trailer of a new documentary Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut, and more. Plus, visit the Audubon New York table from 10:30 am – 12 pm to learn more about birds and how to help them thrive.
Animal Encounter, 11 am – 12 pm: Join Prospect Park Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 11 am.
Family Nature Walk, 12 – 1 pm: Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 12 pm.
c. Martin Seck
September is Tree Appreciation Month!
September 6, 2023
September has arrived and Prospect Park Alliance is ringing in Tree Appreciation Month!
Be a Park Champion and help us extend our Summer of Stewardship into the fall. Prospect Park is home to over 30,000 trees of over 175 varieties—and each plays an essential role in keeping our human and wildlife communities healthy and happy. Take a look at some of the ways you can help celebrate and support the beloved trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard this season:
Remember to #BeAParkChampion: While the park’s trees may appear big and strong, like all living things they are susceptible to injury and disease. With over 10 million visitors in the park each year, the trees in Prospect Park need all of our support. Please do not hang hammocks or decorations from our trees, and avoid climbing or breaking branches. Remember to also stay on designated paths in the woodlands to protect fragile wildlife habitats to help our trees thrive for generations to come!
Fall Volunteering in the Park:Want to take a hands-on approach to caring for the park and its trees? Prospect Park Alliance has a full slate of fall volunteer opportunities. From our weekend Park Pitch In events to Junior Volunteer Corps for kids and families, there are many ways to lend a hand in your park. Plus, mark your calendars for City of Forest Day to celebrate NYC’s urban forest on Saturday, October 14!
Soar Into Fall Migration:Wonder what makes Prospect Park the best bed and breakfast in town for migrating birds in the fall months? Learn about the trees that provide birds with essential fuel and protection as they make their journey to warmer climates and learn about bird watching opportunities with the Brooklyn Bird Club.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Nature: Get active outdoors in Prospect Park by taking part in one of the many free wellness opportunities offered this fall, from nature walks for adults ages 60+ and a fun-filled pop dance class, there is something for everyone to get active this 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 thanks to the 585 acres of green space and 30,000 trees of more than 175 species which allow migratory birds to fuel up on seeds, berries and insects and find valuable protection as they venture south.
As Prospect Park Alliance embarks on Tree Appreciation Month, we’re celebrating the park’s plentiful native trees and the many ways they support the park’s bird population and keep our ecosystem healthy. “Prospect Park’s plentiful Oak trees, Hackberry trees, Eastern Black Cherry trees and Dogwood trees and even a few Willow trees are some of the most essential tree species for migratory birds during this time of year,” shares Prospect Park Alliance’s Senior Forest Ecologist, Howard Goldstein. “These trees support a huge amount of bustling insect and invertebrate life which create the best restaurant in town for migrating birds looking to grab a bite.”
Northern parula c. Tom Stephenson/Brooklyn Bird Club
One can’t-miss area for those looking to spot these traveling birds in the coming months is Esdale Bridge overlooking Ambergill Falls in the Ravine in Prospect Park. “It’s got everything the birds need: a forest full of native species alongside a water source makes this a valuable migratory haven,” shares Goldstein. “We see plentiful Warblers in the area feeding off of the insects and invertebrates they find in these vegetation areas.”
Fall warblers spotted in Prospect Park. c. Tom Stephenson / Brooklyn Bird Club
Another must-visit destination for birders is the Butterfly Meadow located onLookout Hill. The open meadow surrounded by forest in a hilly area of the park makes it an ideal stop for migrating birds. Since the mid-1960’s, volunteers from the Brooklyn Bird Club have collaborated with Prospect Park Alliance to maintain the meadow—removing weeds and invasive plants, and promoting native plant species including diverse wildflowers that attract insects for wildlife and birds.
“The meadow is a lifesaving haven even through winters,” shares Prospect Park Alliance Eco-Zone Gardener Peter Dorosh. “It offers dried flower seeds that feed Goldfinches, White throated sparrows, Kinglets, Woodpeckers and more. The Eastern White pine grove at the east end of the meadow, named affectionately ‘Arleen’s Pines,’ serves as an important winter roost for raptors.”
“There’s no better testament to the importance of Prospect Park’s trees and natural habitat than seeing all of our migratory birds gather the food they need to make the next leg of their difficult journeys to their wintering grounds, which can be as far away as South America,” shares Brooklyn Bird Club Board Member, Tom Stephenson. “The best way to find these birds is to join one of the Brooklyn Bird Club outings and carefully watch any fruiting tree for Swainson’s Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and examine the understory to spot Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush or Hermit Thrush. Scan the treetops and you might get lucky and spot some of the park’s most brilliant sightings like Northern Parula, Blackburnian or Cape May Warblers.”
Please do not hang hammocks or decorations from our trees, and avoid climbing or breaking branches: this damages the tree bark and can make trees susceptible to disease.
Please stay on designated paths in the woodlands to protect fragile wildlife habitats, and make sure to dispose of your trash properly. This will help our trees grow for generations to come.
Ever wonder what exactly it is about a walk in the park that makes you feel more at ease? Spending time in nature, green spaces, and specifically forests have known positive impacts on mental and physical health, and the benefits don’t stop at stress reduction alone. Research shows that being in nature can improve focus, lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, boost your immune system, accelerate recovery from illness, and increase energy levels.
This fall, put wellness first and enjoy fun opportunities to get active and explore your park with a variety of free wellness opportunities for all ages:
Free Fitness Walks in Prospect Park for Adults Ages 60+ Tuesdays, September 12, 19 + 26, RSVP Required: prospectpark.org/FreeFitnessWalks Locations Vary
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Heights and Hills for three group walks in Prospect Park for adults ages 60 and over. Center Director Matt Abrams and members of the center will explore the park while discussing the importance of exercise and movement for adults over 60, particularly for people experiencing arthritis. Participants will receive guidance on developing their own personal walking and exercise programs.
Nature Exploration Family Nature Walks Saturdays + Sundays, September – November Prospect Park Boathouse + Audubon Center
Visit the Prospect Park Audubon Center for Nature Exploration on weekends to enjoy nature education activities including a family nature walk where all ages can explore the park and search for the many species of wildlife that call the park home.
Upbeat Pop! Dance Fitness at the Boathouse Saturdays, August – February Prospect Park Boathouse + Audubon Center
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Shape-up NYC for a 45-minute dance fitness class! Come prepared to shake, roll, grapevine, and clap to your favorite upbeat pop songs. We will use this time to cultivate joy and silliness while getting a great workout and reaping the benefits of cardiovascular fitness. All levels are welcomed and encouraged. Whether you want to learn some new choreography or need a space to step-touch and sing, this class is for you!
Take a Fall Foliage Walk or Run
Prospect Park’s fall hues will soon be in full swing! Prospect Park offers miles of roadway and paths to explore and take in the change of seasons. Visit our Running and Walking hub for information about Running Clubs, itineraries for seeing the park on-the-go, and much more.
A tribute to a hero is coming to Brooklyn’s Backyard! The design of the Shirley Chisholm monument, at the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to Prospect Park has been unanimously approved by the New York City Public Design Commission. The monument will pay homage to Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.
The monument to Chisholm and her profound legacy as a champion of Brooklyn and national icon of empowerment will greet park visitors at this gateway to the Flatbush community and beyond. The design by artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan B. Jeyifous, “Our Destiny, Our Democracy,” was selected through an open design competition organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs, which invited community members to vote for their favorite design. The design, made of painted steel, patinated bronze and carved stone, features a monumental portrait of Chisholm patterned with images of plants native to Brooklyn and Barbados, where Chisholm spent ages five through nine, including Pride of Barbados, American Chestnut and Wild Geranium, juxtaposed with the nation’s Capitol Building. The stonework surrounding the monument includes a Chisholm quote and an outline of the House of Representatives seating plan, with a bronze plaque representing Chisholm’s seat.
“Depending upon your vantage point and approach to the Ocean Avenue entrance of Prospect Park, you can see Ms. Chisholm’s silhouette inextricably intertwined with the iconic dome of the U.S. Capitol building,” shared Williams and Jeyifous in The New York Times. “This trailblazing woman was not diminutive and this monument reflects how Chisholm’s collaborative ideals were larger than herself.” The monument will be the first permanent public artwork in Brooklyn dedicated to a woman in history and the first to celebrate a woman and Black hero in Prospect Park.
“This monument will introduce new generations to the legacy and contributions of this pioneering Brooklynite, and remind us all about the great things that grow from our community,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance. “When your history is not always acknowledged or celebrated it can feel debilitating. I can’t wait for this monument to stand as a beacon for all who enter Prospect Park to feel connected to her legacy and to feel that Prospect Park is a space for them.”
“This administration is committed to working to tell a more complete story surrounding the trailblazing women who have shaped our city, and we are ready to get more of these projects back underway,” said Laurie Cumbo, New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, to in The New York Times.
In addition to the monument, the Alliance is restoring the Ocean Avenue perimeter and Parkside Entrance to the park through $16.5 million in City funding, which will include new pedestrian pathways, historic lighting, street furniture, trees and plantings; a new protected bike lane; and, through funding from Council Member Rita Joseph, the restoration of the entrance’s historic pergola. The City also has allocated $6.75 million in funding from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former Council Member (and current Cultural Affairs Commissioner) Laurie Cumbo and the Brooklyn Delegation of the City Council, including Council Members Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph and Shahana Hanif, to fund the Shirley Chisholm Welcome Center. This Prospect Park Alliance project will transform a historic building near the Parkside entrance that is currently used as a maintenance facility into a visitor center and restroom.
A conceptual rendering of the Shirley Chisholm monument by Amanda Williams and Olalekan B. Jeyifous.
Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit that sustains the park in partnership with the city, announced the successful conclusion of the public review process for the restoration of the Vale in the northeast corner of Prospect Park, with approval by the New York City Public Design Commission. This is the capstone of a multi-year outreach and design process which engaged thousands of local community members in reenvisioning this landscape. In 2021, former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a historic $40 million allocation to restore the Vale, the largest single capital allocation in the city budget in the history of Prospect Park Alliance.
The Vale comprises eight acres in the heart of the northeast corner of Prospect Park. Through the community outreach and design process to gather public input for the landscape, the Alliance’s award-winning team of architects and landscape architects have designed a space for nature exploration, intergenerational gathering and quiet reflection.
“Prospect Park Alliance has an award-winning history of historic restoration and woodland preservation,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance. “This design is reflective of the talent of our team, the deep engagement with our community, and the future we hope to steward in Prospect Park. We are delighted to move forward bringing this vision into reality, and we thank the community members who contributed their feedback through this process, transforming an idea into a fully designed concept.”
Above: The restoration of the Children’s Pond will bring back historic details while improving the environment. c. Prospect Park Alliance. At top: A view of the Pollinator Meadow from the Arbor, part of the approved design for the Vale. c. Prospect Park Alliance
The Vale restoration transforms two key landscapes: the historic Children’s Pond (a decorative water feature) and a former Rose Garden, and also encompasses an additional 3 acres of woodland restoration that will continue an important pollinator corridor across the park. The restoration of the Children’s Pond will bring back historic details while improving the environment through new plantings and bird-friendly features. The former Rose Garden, which features three disused concrete basins, will be transformed into three connected landscapes that respect the park’s historic design while restoring the woodland landscape and adding new amenities, including: a pollinator garden and planted rustic arbor; a children’s natural exploration area; and a shady picnicking lawn next to a small pavilion with composting restrooms and a sheltered area for community use.
To shape the vision for the Vale, the Alliance collaborated with the public design consultants Hester Street and Grain Collective in an intensive, two-year community outreach process that began in 2017. The broad themes that emerged from public feedback were to preserve the woodland character of the space, provide opportunities for intergenerational play and enhance park amenities. In 2022, the Alliance returned to the community to share this vision prior to embarking on the design, soliciting feedback from park users and local groups. As a result of this feedback, the pavilion was scaled down and set further into the landscape; three additional acres of woodland restoration were incorporated to further strengthen wildlife habitat and extend the park’s pollinator corridor; and additional fencing was incorporated to ensure that the children’s natural exploration area does not spill over onto adjacent landscapes and woodland areas.
The resulting design was approved by surrounding community boards 8 and 9; the Prospect Park Community Committee, the Brooklyn Borough Board, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Public Design Commission. The design also received letters of support from I AM CARIBBEING, the Natural Areas Conservancy, the Park Slope Civic Council, the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, the Prospect Lefferts Garden Neighborhood Association, the Brooklyn Borough President, and Council Members Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph.
A view of the planned Northeast Pavilion, part of the approved Vale Restoration design. c. Prospect Park Alliance
The project will conclude its design phase in Spring 2024, and will proceed through the NYC Parks capital guidelines, which includes a year for procurement and 12-18 months for construction, which is slated to begin in Spring 2025.
“An urban park really needs to balance these uses for humans, plants, birds and animals,” said Public Design Commissioner Isabel Castilla. “I have seen the evolution of this design through its many iterations in the past few months and I would say [the plan]…is a very thoughtful design that provides a space for people…and also creates boundaries so that nature can have its own space.”
The Natural Exploration Area in the Vale will include natural features that engage the imagination and the senses. c. Prospect Park Alliance
An Inside Look: J’ouvert Comes to Life at Lefferts
Kick off your J’ouvert celebration in Brooklyn’s Backyard! Prospect Park Alliance, JouvayFest Collective and City Lore have opened the J’ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience at the Lefferts Historic House. The exhibit is part of ReImagine Lefferts, the Alliance’s initiative to re-envision the mission and programming at Lefferts Historic House to focus programming on the lives, resistance and resilience of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. The multimedia exhibit offers an exploration of the rich and colorful history of J’ouvert in Trinidad and Tobago and its important role in Brooklyn today.
The inaugural exhibit of the ReImagine Lefferts initiative, through funding from the Mellon Foundation, J’ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience is reflective of the community that surrounds Prospect Park. “Prospect Park borders the largest Caribbean community in the world outside of the Caribbean,” shares Maria Carrasco, Prospect Park Alliance Vice President of Public Programs. “We want Brooklyn’s Caribbean community to see themselves represented in the park, as well as at Lefferts Historic House.” J’ouvert (pronounced jou-vay) translates to “opening of the day or I open” in French, and marks the beginning of the official two days of Carnival before Ash Wednesday in the Francophone Atlantic. J’ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience sheds light on the often-misunderstood aspects of J’ouvert, allowing viewers to better understand this essential Caribbean cultural tradition, right in the heart of Brooklyn.
Alongside immersive video and traditional steelpan instruments, “Dame Lorraine,” the character costume pictured above in red, is one of the traditional J’ouvert costumes on view in the exhibit. Originally created by enslaved Africans as a mockery of plantation owners, the satirical character exaggerates the features of a French madame. c. Prospect Park Alliance
“Many people don’t know the historic connections and significance of J’ouvert celebrations. J’ouvert is a living tradition. It has a big story to tell. It’s a story of resistance and resilience,” says JouvayFest Co-Founder and Exhibit Curator, Sandra A.M. Bell. Formerly enslaved Africans in predominantly French-speaking Caribbean colonies created J’ouvert as part of their bitter battles with the authorities to participate in the pre-Lenten festivities of the ruling class. The tradition was made official in Trinidad and Tobago in 1881 when communities fought for their freedom during the famous Canboulay (burnt-cane in French) riots, when they destroyed valuable sugarcane fields to protest British attempts to suppress their way of life. This struggle secured the J’ouvert celebration from colonial interference. J’ouvert has flourished into a potent living tradition and symbol of the power of resistance and resilience in the Caribbean, Brooklyn and beyond.
The exhibit immerses the community in the J’ouvert experience through life-sized J’ouvert costumes, signature percussive instruments, large-format photography of traditional Mas (masquerade) Carnival costumes and celebrations, plus virtual reality. “Put on those goggles and you’ll be immediately transported to a J’ouvert celebration. You’ll have the experience of being inside a J’ouvert band on a J’ouvert morning and gain a taste of this centuries-old tradition,” says Bell.
Large scale J’ouvert character costumes at J’ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience. c. Prospect Park Alliance
This vibrant cultural exhibit at the newly reopened Lefferts Historic House will also include workshops and discussions on the food, dance and music of the classic Trinidad and Tobago style of J’ouvert on select dates while it is on view at the house through October 29.
Notice a familiar face in the ranks of City & State’s 2023 Brooklyn Power 100 list? Prospect Park Alliance President and Park Administrator, Morgan Monaco has claimed a spot alongside Prospect Park Alliance Board Chair Iris Weinshall in the roundup of influential Brooklynites including community leaders, elected officials, cultural trailblazers and more.
“When Susan Donoghue left the Prospect Park Alliance to become New York City parks commissioner in February 2022, Iris Weinshall and the Alliance board looked to a longtime civil servant to run the 526-acre park. Morgan Monaco, Red Hook Initiative’s executive director, became the Alliance’s first Black leader. So far, Monaco has overseen a $40 million revitalization of the Vale, a redesign of the park’s interior loop to minimize conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists, and the renovation of Lefferts Historic House museum and an initiative to shift the museum’s focus to the indigenous and enslaved African people who lived and worked on the land.”
Did you know? The watercourse that flows through Prospect Park is a haven for fish, birds, turtles, frogs and plants. This August, we hope you’ll join us in being aPark Champion as we celebrate Waterways Appreciation Month.
Lend a Hand in Brooklyn’s Backyard All month long, Prospect Park Alliance has opportunities for you to lend a hand and support the park ecosystem. Join an upcoming Green + Go Kit or It’s My Park Day event to explore the park while tackling litter and helping with other greening opportunities throughout the park. Sign up to volunteer.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Waterway Exploration at Pop-Up Audubon
Visit the Prospect Park Audubon Center’s Pop-Up Audubon in August to enjoy a family-friendly waterway walk through the Ravine and learn about the many species of plants and animals that live alongside the park’s woodland waterfalls.
Fish Responsibly Fishing is permitted in the Prospect Park Lake, and we ask all who participate to be Park Champions and follow the essential rules:
To protect wildlife, no barbed hooks or lead fishing weights are allowed.
Fishing line entangles birds and other wildlife, which can result in injury or death. Discard fishing line fragments and hooks responsibly in marked fishing line bins or trash cans.
Explore 6 Tips on How to Care for the Lake with Every Visit
Wonder how you can help support the health of Brooklyn’s only Lake with each visit to the park? Check out 6 Lake stewardship tips, including carrying out litter, admiring animals from afar and more. Please remember that while the Lake is a cherished part of Brooklyn nature, it is not intended for swimming. Please take caution when near any waterbody and only swim at city pools and beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty.
Send a Loved One an Rx for Nature
Invite a loved one to join you for a visit to Prospect Park’s Watercourse and enjoy the health-boosting benefits of nature together. You and your Rx recipient will be entered to win a Prospect Park Alliance Family Supporter Level Membership so you can make the most of Brooklyn’s Backyard all year long!
Learn about the Park’s Watercourse Take a free, self-guided audio tour of Prospect Park’s watercourse—a marvel of nature, history and eco-innovation. Prospect Park’s watercourse is a natural wonder but also a feat of engineering: home to the borough’s only Lake, the park’s watercourse is fed by the New York City water supply. The free, self-guided audio tour provides a new perspective on the natural and human-made ecosystems found in Prospect Park, and its connection to New York City’s water supply.
Lend a Hand in Brooklyn’s Backyard