East Side Story
August 5, 2015
The City recently unveiled its budget, which includes $3.7 million in funding from the City Council and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to support the restoration of two major projects high on the Alliance’s list of priorities: the Park’s Flatbush Avenue perimeter and the Oriental Pavilion, as well as pathway improvements provided by Council Member Brad Lander through the participatory budgeting process this past spring.
“It is thanks to our elected officials that we are able to accomplish important projects throughout the Park,” said Alliance President Sue Donoghue. “The Alliance relies on funding from private and public sources, which is critical for restoring and maintaining the Park. The community has voiced a strong desire to see these projects come to light and we are thankful to our outstanding elected officials who have provided this support.”
The Oriental Pavilion is a key element of the Park’s historic design, and has served for decades as a popular spot for family gatherings and picnics. After years of slow deterioration, the Pavilion was declared unsafe and closed to the public in 2014. Thanks to the generous funds totaling $2 million from Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Brad Lander and the Brooklyn Delegation, the structure and surrounding pathways will be restored. This includes replacing the water-damaged roof, installing more lighting and repairing stairways leading down from Breeze Hill.
A short walk north, Flatbush Avenue improvements will broaden the sidewalk bordering the Park and add street trees from Grand Army Plaza toward the Prospect Park Zoo. The project is made possible through $1.5 million in funding secured by Council Member Laurie Cumbo and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, in addition to $900,000 secured by Cumbo and Adams in 2014. Fencing will be replaced and set farther back to broaden the sidewalk from 16 to 30 feet. An allée of trees will flank the sidewalk, providing shade for pedestrians and restoring this section of the avenue to its original grandeur.
$200,000 in funding for pathway improvements through Council Member Brad Lander and the participatory budgeting process will renovate the path that leads from the Park’s Children’s Corner (Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park Carousel, Prospect Park Zoo) to the Zucker Natural Exploration Area, providing Park visitors with better access between these two beloved family destinations.