c. Paul Martinka

Ribbon Cut on Adult Fitness Area

May 3, 2019

Today, New York City Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene and Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains the Park, cut the ribbon on a new adult fitness area at the Prospect Park Parade Ground, which was funded as part of a $750,000 restoration that also included the installation of a new misting line along heavily used artificial turf soccer fields—a first for a New York City public park—and other park improvements.

The adult fitness area, located on the east side of the Parade Ground by the Crooke Avenue entrance, contains 12 types of fitness equipment, and was selected to be accessible to people of all abilities. There is an open area for group classes and custom concrete “step-up” blocks. The misting line, set on timers, provides a cooling screen of mist when the artificial turf fields are at their busiest and hottest. Additional improvements include fixing drainage problems at Baseball Field 7; reconstructing the volleyball court; and adding more shade trees and new seating near the adult fitness area. The project kicked off in spring 2018.

See a slideshow of the new Adult Fitness Area at the Parade Ground.

“I want to commend the Prospect Park Alliance for the tremendous work they do to keep the Parade Ground a vibrant recreational area,” said Council Member Eugene. “This section of Prospect Park is so important for this neighborhood, because it allows our residents to engage in outdoor activities that are beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the community. I am honored to allocate funding for the new Adult Fitness area as well as infrastructure improvements that will increase the sustainability of the Parade Ground. It is my hope that by working together we will continue to create a welcoming environment for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

“Parks are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and this new adult fitness area and other Parade Ground improvements will make a significant impact on our neighbors quality of life,” said Sue Donoghue, President of Prospect Park Alliance. “We are deeply grateful to Council Member Eugene for his long standing support of Prospect Park Alliance and our work to keep the Park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that consider the Park its backyard.”

Prospect Park Alliance is currently in design on a $500,000 participatory budgeting initiative from Council Member Eugene in the southwest corner of Parade Ground, which will provide even more fitness amenities to the park. The project is estimated to be completed in two years time. Learn more in the Alliance’s Capital Projects Tracker.