Capital Projects Tracker
Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains the park in partnership with the City, undertakes a variety of restoration and improvement projects throughout Prospect Park. This is made possible through the support of partners in government, as well as private foundations and individual donors.
Capital projects follow the New York City Parks design and construction guidelines. Each phase takes approximately one year, although the construction timeline is based on the scope of the project:
- Funded or Partially Funded: Funding has been secured or partially secured, but the project has not yet entered the design phase.
- Design Phase: Prospect Park Alliance architects and landscape architects draw up the plans for the project, and guide them through the approval process.
- Procurement Phase: the project goes through a public process to assemble the construction team.
- Construction Phase: the physical construction of the project takes place.
Funded or Partially Funded
Pathway Lighting (Center Drive to Long Meadow Ballfields)
Through District 40 Participatory Budgeting, Council Member Rita Joseph allocated $130,000 to add new lighting along a woodland pathway that connects Center Drive at the Nethermead to the Long Meadow Ballfields.
Shirley Chisholm Welcome Center
Former New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, former Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo and the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council have provided $4 million of the $6.75 million in funding needed for Prospect Park Alliance to convert a disused comfort station at the Ocean and Parkside Avenue entrance to Prospect Park into the Shirley Chisholm Welcome Center, which will include infrastructural upgrades, new restrooms and visitor information to complement a new monument to Shirley Chisholm that will be erected at this entrance honoring the significance of her role in the history of Brooklyn.
Willink Comfort Station Restoration
Council Member Crystal Hudson allocated $500,000 toward the $4 million restoration of the Willink Comfort Station, which serves the park’s Children’s Corner (home to the Carousel, Zoo and Lefferts Historic House). This heavily used facility is a historic landmark, designed by the Boathouse’s famed architects Helmle & Huberty, and has not been touched by restoration since 1991, and is in need of a full upgrade, including a new roof, lighting, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, and new gender-neutral restroom facilities.
Design Phase
Children’s Corner Improvements
Through $425,000 in funding through the District 39 Participatory Budgeting process, Prospect Park Alliance will improve the park’s Children’s Corner: enhancing accessibility and use of this important destination for families that is home to the Prospect Park Zoo, Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Carousel. Work will include renovating pathways that intersect this area and continue to other destinations in the park and the installation of a new drinking fountain.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Esdale Bridge
Through $500,000 in funding allocated through District 39 Participatory Budgeting, Prospect Park Alliance will restore this historic rustic bridge, which connects the Long Meadow to the Ravine (at the pathway that traverses the Long Meadow from the Picnic House).
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Garfield Entrance + Long Meadow Paths
Through $500,000 in funding from New York State Assembly Member Robert Carroll, Prospect Park Alliance is improving the Garfield Entrance pedestrian path and the rustic rail paths that lead to the Park Drive and Long Meadow from Prospect Park West to provide an accessible route for visitors, and address the erosion that has occurred due to heavy use of this popular entrance to the park.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Horseback Riding Ring
Prospect Park Alliance is creating a covered horseback riding ring north of the Prospect Park Zoo for public and therapeutic riding. This $4.1 million project is funded through the New York City Council, former Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and former New York Council Member Brad Lander. Prospect Park is currently home to a therapeutic horseback riding program offered by Gallop NYC, a non-profit organization that serves children and adults with disabilities and special needs, at an uncovered ring at the Prospect Park Parade Ground Bowling Green. This covered riding ring will enable riding to take place year round and in inclement weather, and broaden the programming.
Estimated Design Completion: 2024
Estimated Construction Completion: 2026
Lakeshore Restoration: Master Plan and Phase 1
Through the advocacy of our community (more than 1,100 community members shared letters of support) and Council Members Hanif, Hudson and Joseph, the Mayor, Council Speaker Adams and the Brooklyn Delegation allocated $3 million for the $20 million restoration of Lakeshore, which will make environmental and accessibility improvements along the shoreline of the Prospect Park Lake. This initial funding will enable us to create a master plan and execute a portion of the restoration.
Estimated Design Completion: 2024
Estimated Construction Completion: 2026
Litchfield Villa Landscape: Main Entrance Ramp
Through $1.5 million in funding from the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council, Prospect Park Alliance is improving accessibility to the Litchfield Villa. The project will create a new ADA-compliant entrance ramp, which includes restoring a portion of the original brownstone wall, installing a new cast stone ramp, reconstructing the existing entrance steps and landing, and bringing the interior vestibule of the Villa to ADA code compliance.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Meadowport-Endale Path Reconstruction
$500,000 has been allocated by New York State Assembly Member Robert Carroll for the reconstruction of the pedestrian path between Endale and Meadowport Arches. The improvements include new drainageADA access upgrades and new benches.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Parade Ground Field 9 Restoration
Through $800,000 in funding from Council Member Rita Joseph and $700,000 from former Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene, the Alliance will replace the turf on Field 9 at the Parade Ground, pave pathways and install ADA accessible drinking fountains. This field is a beloved destination for a range of sports and sees heavy use by the community.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Parkside + Ocean Avenue Pergola
Through $750,000 in funding from Council Member Rita Joseph, Prospect Park Alliance is restoring the pergola at Parkside and Ocean Avenue. In the 1890’s during the City Beautiful movement, McKim Mead & White designed a pergola for the Park Circle entrance at Parkside and Ocean Avenue. Currently, the timber trellis is in very poor condition due to insect damage and water. Graffiti that covered the walls has been painted over, but obscures the intended appearance of the pergola and causes a maintenance challenge. The intent of this project is to reconstruct the Pergola as closely as feasible to the 1890’s condition by replacing the timber trellis in kind, cleaning the granite wall and column surfaces, repointing, and grouting joints and, recreating the wood lattice screen wall.
Estimated Design Completion: 2024
Estimated Construction Completion: 2026
Prospect Park Tennis House Restoration
Through $3.6 million in funding from former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Prospect Park Alliance is restoring the historic Prospect Park Tennis House, which was designed by the same architects as the Prospect Park Boathouse, and originally served as a facility for lawn tennis players at the turn of the 19th century. Located along the Long Meadow near the park’s 9th Street entrance, the Tennis House has been closed to the public for the last decade. This funding will allow the Alliance to restore this beautiful structure, create public restrooms and bring the building back to public use. Improvements will include restoration of the roof, a new hidden gutter and downspout, restoration of exterior tile, facade cleaning and brick repointing and renovation of restrooms.
Estimated Design Completion: 2023
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Vale Restoration
Through $40 million in funding from former Mayor Bill de Blasio, Prospect Park Alliance is restoring approximately 10 acres in the 27 acres of the park’s northeast corner. This includes the historic Children’s Pool in the lower Vale, which will restore the historic details of this turn of the 20th-century water feature, while enhancing its role as a bird habitat. The project will also transform a former Rose Garden in the Upper Vale. Through an intensive, multi-year community outreach effort, a vision was created for this area of the park, which includes the creation of a pollinator garden and rustic arbor; a nature exploration area for families; an open lawn area and a small pavilion with composting restrooms and a green roof. Learn more about this project on our website.
Design Completion: 2023
Construction Completion: 2026
Procurement Phase
Grand Army Plaza Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch Restoration
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has provided $6 million in funding for Prospect Park Alliance to restore the historic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch in Grand Army Plaza. The project will replace the Arch’s roof, clean and repoint the brick and stone structure, repair the interior iron staircases that lead to the roof, and replace the interior and exterior lighting. The Memorial Arch, which commemorates the Civil War, is Brooklyn’s most significant monumental public artwork. It was designed by John Duncan and completed in 1892 to commemorate the Union’s soldiers and sailors. The Arch is adorned with three bronze statuary ensembles by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Harmony Playground Improvements and Adult Fitness Area
Former New York City Council Member Brad Lander has provided $850,000 in funding through the District 39 participatory budgeting initiative for Prospect Park Alliance to restore and enhance the Harmony Playground in Prospect Park, and to create an adult fitness area adjacent to the playground. The design will provide exercise equipment designed for senior citizens and the less able-bodied; and install a shade structure over the existing sandbox.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Maintenance Compound
Through $5.57 million in funding from former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council, Prospect Park Alliance is building a new Maintenance Compound. This new facility will provide offices and storage for Alliance and NYC Parks Landscape Management and Maintenance + Operations staff, who currently are housed in facilities around the park, including the soon-to-be restored Tennis House.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2025
Nethermead Pedestrian Paths Restoration
Former New York City Council Member Brad Lander has provided $500,000 in funding through the District 39 participatory budgeting initiative for Prospect Park Alliance to restore pedestrian paths in the Nethermead. This project will repave paths that are in poor condition, and add new benches and shade trees in this popular area of the park.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue Entrance + Perimeter Restorations
Prospect Park Alliance is undertaking a $15.75 million restoration of the Parkside and Ocean Avenue perimeters and entrance to the park, which is made possible through $10.5 million in funding by the New York City Department of Transportation; $3.5 million in funding from former Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams; $1 million in funding from former Mayor Bill De Blasio, and $750,000 in funding from former New York City Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene. This large-scale restoration will include new sidewalks and paving; new historic lighting and street furniture; new trees; and the addition of a protected bike lane. A focal point of the entrance will be a new monument to Brooklyn political trailblazer U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, who was both the first black Congresswoman and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination. This project continues the Alliance’s work to restore the perimeter of the east side of the park, including the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, which was funded by the Borough President and former Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
State of Good Repair Improvements
The City has provided $3.4 million to improve pathways and drainage issues in Prospect Park, the Parade Ground, Grand Army Plaza and nearby Mount Prospect Park. This includes restoring the Plaza Street West Berm sidewalk by replacing the sidewalk and verges with colored reinforced concrete as well as replacing existing and installing additional benches. In addition, a deteriorated pathway leading from the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to the Park Drive will be renovated and new drainage installed, as well as along the pathway from Parkside Avenue to Caton Avenue in the Parade Ground.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Tennis Center Fabric Roof Structures
Through $3 million in funding from former Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo and the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council and $2.5 million in funding from Prospect Park Alliance, the Alliance is creating two all-season, year-round, energy-efficient rigid-frame fabric roof structures for the Prospect Park Tennis Center. The project will eliminate the need for the installation and deinstallation of winter season tennis bubbles, extending the timeframe for court play throughout the year. The project also includes the installation of automated, ADA-compliant glass doors at the entrances of the structures from the clubhouse to increase access for people with physical disabilities.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Water Line Replacement
Through $1.4 million in funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Prospect Park Alliance will be replacing nearly century-old valves and sections of water main pipes that feed the Prospect Park watercourse. The project will also include installing a control system to regulate the outflow of water that feeds the park’s watercourse, and installing a reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ valve) to protect the New York City water supply.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2024
Construction Phase
Carousel Restoration
This $500,000 project funded by former Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo will enable the Alliance to restore the Prospect Park Carousel, one of the park’s most popular attractions, which was last restored 25 years ago as the Alliance’s first restoration project. This project will include structural work, waterproofing and mechanical upgrades.
Estimated Construction Completion: Fall 2023
Grand Army Plaza Berms and Bailey Fountain Plaza Restoration
Funded by former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, this $3 million project will enable Prospect Park Alliance to replace uneven and worn paving around Bailey Fountain, and restore the berms surrounding the plaza to their original grandeur with new plantings and decorative fencing.
Estimated Construction Completion: 2023
Lefferts Historic House Restoration
This $2.5 million project funded by former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council will enable the Alliance to restore Lefferts Historic House and surrounding areas. Lefferts Historic House, built in the 18th century, is operated by the Alliance in partnership with the Historic House Trust. At Lefferts, the Alliance provides free cultural and educational programs for all ages, which serve thousands of residents from Brooklyn and throughout New York City each year. Restoration will include replacing the roof, restoring the exterior of the building, and repairing paths and drainage surrounding the house.
Estimated Construction Completion: Spring 2023
Long Meadow Ballfields 2 and 3 Restoration
Former New York Council Member Brad Lander contributed $750,000 and Mayor Bill de Blasio contributed $800,000 to complete the Alliance’s ongoing restoration of the Long Meadow Ballfields. Through the support of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, New York City Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, and the New York City Council Brooklyn Delegation, to date the Alliance has restored Fields 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The project includes restoring the fields and providing additional drainage to keep the fields in good playing condition, adding new pathways and benches, dedicated clay storage bins and shaded dugouts.
Reopening: Spring 2023
Parade Ground Fit
This project is a District 40 participatory budgeting initiative that won popular support from local residents. The $525,000 project transforms the southwest corner of the Prospect Park Parade Ground into a community gathering space that supports health and wellness in the neighborhood. The area will feature new ping-pong tables, a refurbished petanque area, and game tables. Additionally, new benches will be installed and the area will be landscaped with new plantings.
Reopening: Spring 2023