Dog Beach Restoration

The Prospect Park Alliance has begun the restoration of Dog Beach—a popular swimming area for dogs during off-leash hours. Located at the Upper Pool, where the Long Meadow meets the Ravine, Dog Beach is not only a place for dogs to stay cool in the summer months, but a scenic spot to enjoy nature.

“Improving Dog Beach will ensure that park visitors will have a beautiful amenity to enjoy, while we enhance the health of the lakeshore for wildlife,” said Sue Donoghue, President of the Prospect Park Alliance. “We thank our elected officials for providing funding for this project and for their continued dedication, which in the coming year alone represents a number of new projects in the Park.”

The project, which is part of a larger restoration of the Long Meadow Ball Fields and surrounding landscapes, was funded by the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, and the Brooklyn Delegation.

The planned renovations will beautify Dog Beach by replacing the existing pavement with stone slabs, sourced from a quarry in upstate New York and reminiscent of streambeds found in the Adirondacks or Catskills. Cable and mesh fencing will replace the existing chain link fencing, providing a low profile and durable barrier that is safe for animals. The Alliance will also fortify the health of the watercourse by removing invasive aquatic plants along the shoreline. Boulders and native plants will then be installed, stabilizing the pool edge and improving aquatic habitats.

The project will kick off with a fish and turtle rescue to ensure that the Park’s wildlife isn’t impacted when the Upper Pool is drained for the restoration work. Dog Beach is slated to reopen next spring, just in time for the warmer weather.