Tag: Lakeside

A Guide to Winter Olympics Fun

February 13, 2026

It’s New York City’s coldest, snowiest winter in years. The Winter Olympics are heating up in Milan. What better time to embrace the cold-weather activities Prospect Park has to offer? Channel your inner Olympian with one of these fun, frosty winter activities:

Ice Skating
Strap on a pair of skates: the ice skating season at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is in full swing! Come with friends for public skate laps around the two rinks. Just learning? We offer learn to skate programs for both adults and children aged four and up. Interested in working on your figure skating? Sign up for a Freestyle practice session. Plus, take advantage of free skating for Prospect Park Alliance members and $5 discount skating for the general public every Monday.

Watch the Winter Olympics at Duck Island Cafe & Bar
Serving seasonal food and drinks every day of the week, Duck Island’s rinkside cafe at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers more than just a place to warm up this winter. From February 6-22, the cafe has added daily screenings of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to the menu. Stop by on February 15 from 3-5 pm to sip a special hot chocolate and support the USA Men’s Hockey team as they take on Germany with a special big-screen viewing party.

Curling
Ready for a round of… curling? For over a decade, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside has been home to the official Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club, which offers classes and tournaments. Learn more about curling at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside and check out Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club’s full event schedule.

Sledding
While the park does not have a bob-sledding track, since the snow seems here to stay, head to the park to be among the multitudes getting a rush from sliding down our slopes. Bring a sled, toboggan or inner-tube and explore the top sledding spots in Prospect Park.

Cross-Country Skiing 
Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can’t wait for enough snow to strap on their skis and head out with smooth strides into the Park. Expanses like Long Meadow and the Nethermead are excellent locations to bring this traditionally rural pastime into city parks.

Hockey 
Grab your pucks and pads! You can get into the game at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside with learn to play clinics for kids and adults, open hockey sessions, and Youth and Adult league play. Learn more about hockey at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

 

Brittany Buongiorno

A Guide to Winter Activities in Prospect Park

February 11, 2026

It’s New York City’s coldest, snowiest winter in years. The Winter Olympics are heating up in Milan. What better time to embrace the cold-weather activities Prospect Park has to offer? Channel your inner Olympian and with one of these fun, frosty winter games.

Watch the Winter Olympics at Duck Island Cafe & Bar
Serving seasonal food and drinks every day of the week, Duck Island’s rinkside cafe at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers more than just a place to warm up this winter. From February 6-22, the cafe has added daily screenings of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to the menu. Stop by on February 15 from 3-5 pm to sip a special hot chocolate and support the USA Men’s Hockey team as they take on Germany with a special big-screen viewing party.

Ice Skating
Strap on a pair of skates: the ice skating season at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is in full swing! Come with friends for public skate laps around the two rinks, or sharpen your skills at our Olympic Skate Clinics, offered on February 16-20 from 9 am-12 pm. These clinics are open to all ages and skill levels. Just learning? We offer learn to skate programs for both adults and children. Interested in working on your figure skating? Sign up for a Freestyle practice session. Plus, take advantage of free skating for Prospect Park Alliance members and $5 discount skating for the general public every Monday.

Sledding
When the city gets more than a few inches of snow, head to the Park to be among the multitudes that get a rush from sliding down our steep slopes. Bring a sled, toboggan or whatever your preference and check out a list of our top sledding spots in Prospect Park.

Curling
Ready for a round of… curling? Believe it or not, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is home to the official Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club, which offers classes and tournaments. This sport, best known as an event in the Winter Olympics, is played in teams by players wearing shoes with grippers. Learn more about curling at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Figure Skating 
In addition to regular ice-skating, figure skating has found a home at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Figure skaters are encouraged to take to the ice in freestyle sessions, classes or during one of the shows, such as the Ice Spectacular, taking place Sunday, December 18. Learn more about figure skating at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Cross-Country Skiing 
While not an “official” sport, cross-country skiing enthusiasts can’t wait for enough snow to strap on their skis and head out with smooth strides into the Park. Expanses like Long Meadow and the Nethermead are excellent locations to bring this traditionally rural pastime into city parks.

Hockey 
Grab your pucks and pads! You can get into the game at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside with clinics, open hockey sessions, and (new this season!) Youth and Adult league play. Don’t know how to skate, but want to score a goal? Try Broomball Friday nights at Lakeside, played in sneakers on ice. Learn more about hockey at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

A Walk in the Park
There is no easier way to enjoy the serene and snowy season than with a walk in Prospect Park, no special skates, sticks, pads or gear required. Wander through the Park’s 585-acres, or let our curated Winter Walk guide your way on a tour up Lookout Hill, with views only available during this time of year. Learn more about the Winter Walk. 

Indoor Tennis
Snow and ice not quite your scene? Don’t worry; the Prospect Park Tennis Center has got you covered with heated indoor courts through mid-May. Participate in a variety of classes and leagues, or simply book a court to use with a friend. The Center will also offer special holiday programs during the Winter Recess. Learn more about the Tennis Center.

Celebrate Halloween + Kick Off Ice Skating Season at Lakeside

October 14, 2025

Prospect Park Alliance kicks off the new season at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside with a Fall Harvest Festival and Halloween Celebration on the weekends of Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26, and Friday, October 31, through Sunday, November 2, 2025. On November 1 through November 2, also enjoy the first skate of the season with free skate admission, free skating mini lessons, as well as hockey, stick n’puck, and figure skating sessions! 

Join us for our Harvest Fest + Halloween Ice Skating Celebration! Learn More + RSVP: prospectpark.org/harvest. 

After serving the community for more than a decade, this year Prospect Park Alliance relaunched the Center after extensive renovations and with new operators in place for the rinks and the cafe, Ekstein Development Group and Purslane. Ekstein is the operator of beloved city rinks including City Ice Pavilion and World Ice Arena in Queens. Purslane, part of the Oberon Group, is known for their thoughtful, seasonal food, and also partners with the Alliance at the historic Prospect Park Boathouse, where it operates the Purslane Cafe. 

The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is Brooklyn’s premier skating destination, with 30,000 square feet of pristine skating surface on connected covered and open-air rinks, with scenic views of the 60-acre Prospect Park Lake. Enjoy time on the ice with new skate programs and a fleet of hundreds of new skates. Duck Island Cafe & Bar keeps you warm with seasonal beverages including hot chocolate, hot cider and a local favorite, hot Hibiscus Brew from popular Flatbush-based cafe, Hibiscus Brew. Plus, don’t miss new rinkside classics including chili hotdogs and sheet pan pizza.

Harvest Festival + First Skate Weekend

Enjoy two weekends of Fall and Halloween fun, plus the start of the ice skating season, with a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, as well as Halloween costume contests, arts and crafts, face painting, and on November 1 + 2, free admission to our skating rinks with special clinics and classes for figure skating, hockey, stick n’puck, and much more! Visit prospectpark.org/harvest to learn more and RSVP.

Pre-registration is required for all skating activities aside from Public Skate. 

Ice Skating Season at Lakeside

Plus, enjoy a full season of ice skating with daily skate sessions, and lessons and leagues for all ages and skill levels. Visit prospectpark.org/lakeside for more information and to register today!

  • Public Skating – Come skate with us! Enjoy skating on our covered and open air rinks daily.
  • Learn to Skate – With three semesters to choose from and classes for all ages, everyone is a skater at Lakeside!
  • Youth Hockey Programs – Have you ever wanted to learn to play from the NY Rangers and the NY Islanders? Well now you can with the NY Rangers Rookie League and the NY Islanders Learn to Play at Lakeside!
  • Adult Hockey Leagues & Pick-Up – From Open Hockey, Stick N’ Puck, Learn to Play, Women’s leagues and more we have everything a player could need.
  • Figure Skating Freestyle Sessions – Ice time for experienced skaters of all ages at pre-free skate level or higher. Work on your jumps, spins, and routines with your couch or on your own! Check out our schedule.
  • Birthday Parties & Private Rentals – Celebrate your party the Lakeside way, from parties, galas and corporate events and more we have everything you need to bring your vision to life. Check out our party packages or contact us at [email protected].
  • Duck Island Café – Hot chocolate, snacks, and cozy comfort food all season long.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Begins New Chapter

July 10, 2025

With summer in full swing, Prospect Park Alliance is kicking off a new chapter at one of its most popular destinations, the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Following renovations and with new operators in place, the Center will reopen for rollerskating, boating and–for the first time–pickleball, on the weekend of August 2 + 3. 

Join us for a weekend of free events and rink admission to celebrate our new chapter! RSVP to receive the full schedule of events: prospectpark.org/lakeside-celebration.

“The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is one of the most ambitious projects in Prospect Park Alliance’s history,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “Since its opening in 2013, we have served hundreds of thousands of community members each year with dynamic programs and activities. With the selection of new operators, extensive renovations, and the appointment of the first LeFrak Center Director, we are looking at a bright future.”

Following a competitive request-for-proposal process, the Alliance has selected new operators for the LeFrak Center and its cafe: Ekstein Development Group and Purslane, respectively. Ekstein is a local company with a strong track record of running rinks, including City Ice Pavilion and World Ice Arena in Queens, and brings a deep passion for skating and engaging local communities. Purslane, part of the Oberon Group, is known for their thoughtful, seasonal food, and also partners with the Alliance at the historic Prospect Park Boathouse, where it operates the Purslane Cafe. 

“We are very excited to partner with Prospect Park Alliance to bring a wide range of year-round activities to LeFrak Center for the community,” said Erik Ekstein, President and CEO of Ekstein Development Group. “Lakeside will continue to provide ice skating, ice hockey, roller skating, roller disco, roller hockey, curling and boating in season, with the addition of new activities such as pickleball and yoga. Other sporting and entertainment opportunities for the community will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.”  

“We are excited to bring a refreshed experience to all community members seeking delicious food and drink in this vibrant area of the park,” said Henry Rich, Managing Partner of the Oberon Group. “We also will be partnering with local businesses in Flatbush and beyond to host pop-ups and special events.”

With the Center having surpassed its 10-year mark, the Alliance also has been addressing wear and tear at this heavily used facility. Among the recent renovations are improvements to the Splash Pad, the park’s largest water play area, which operates on the Center’s uncovered rink in the summer months, as well the restrooms and lighting on site. The Alliance has also appointed a LeFrak Center Director and an on-site team that will oversee operations and ensure an excellent visitor experience to keep the rink in a state of good repair. These efforts have been informed by feedback the Alliance has received from the community.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside is the largest and most ambitious project in Prospect Park since its creation over 150 years ago. Learn more about the Center and the Alliance’s work to transform the southeast corner of Prospect Park into a popular scenic and recreational destination.

Molière in the Park Returns to LeFrak Center at Lakeside

April 9, 2025

While LeFrak Center at Lakeside is closed for the seasonal transition to warm weather fun, you won’t want to miss a month of free theater in the heart of Brooklyn’s Backyard!

Join Prospect Park Alliance and Molière in the Park for a free full production of The Imaginary Invalid at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.

The Imaginary Invalid, Molière’s last play, was originally written as an immersive Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance and music are intertwined. Gravely ill while writing and performing this play, Molière explores the fear of death and the exploitation it can breed through his infinitely witty dialogue and in-your-face satire. Molière in the Park’s production will feature a new translation by Lucie Tiberghien, as well as original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt and music by cellist Jonathan Akuma Moore. The show is roughly 100 minutes with no intermission.

Learn more and reserve your free tickets here!

Performance Dates:

Thursday, May 8, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 9, 11 am – Student Matinee

Friday, May 9, 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 10, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 pm

Monday, May 12, 7:30 pm – Opening Night Reception at 6 pm + Benefit Show at 7:30 pm, plus a post-show celebration with the cast and crew!

Wednesday, May 14, 11 am – Student Matinee

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 16,  7:30 pm

Saturday, May 17, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 18,  7:30 pm

Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 pm

Friday, May 23,  7:30 pm

Saturday, May 24, 3:00 pm + 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 25, 3:00 pm

Sunday May 25, 7:30 pm

 

About Molière in the Park

Molière in the Park’s (MIP) mission is to promote empathy and unity within the diverse communities in Brooklyn through the arts. MIP offers free opportunities for all to come together in Prospect Park and experience the benefits of theater. MIP’s vision is of a Brooklyn where all communities can benefit equally from access to theater and the Arts.

The Next Chapter at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside

March 18, 2025

After more than a decade of serving our community, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside will begin a new chapter this spring! Prospect Park Alliance has appointed its first LeFrak Center Director to oversee operations at the Center. The Alliance is also making physical improvements on site to renew this heavily used destination, including the popular Splash Pad; and bringing on board new operators for ice skating, rollerskating and other recreational offerings, as well as for the Center’s cafe.

“The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is one of the largest projects in Prospect Park Alliance’s history,” said Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “We have been able to serve hundreds of thousands of community members each year with dynamic programs and activities, but also had a learning curve on how to ensure the best visitor experience. With the appointment of an Alliance Center Director, renovations to our facilities, and the upcoming selection of new operators, we are looking at a bright future.”

This month, Prospect Park Alliance welcomed Andrew Frey as the first LeFrak Center Director. In this role, he will oversee all operations and ensure the Center is well maintained and welcoming to all community members. Andrew comes to the park with many years experience in rink operations, including the last four ice skating seasons at Wollman Rink in Central Park. He has a personal passion for skating and opening up the sport to those who face barriers to access.

“I grew up playing roller hockey in the streets and schoolyards of Queens because we did not have access to a nearby ice rink,” said the Alliance LeFrak Center Director, Andrew Frey. “I come to this position not only with many years experience in operating local, seasonal rinks, but also as part of the LeFrak Center community. I have played ice hockey at the Center for the past four seasons, and look forward to ensuring we provide a first-rate experience to our community and wider access overall to ice and roller skating for everyone.”

“Prospect Park Alliance has been an integral part of hosting Gotham Roller Derby for many successful seasons as we’ve called LeFrak home for our bouts and practices,” said Gabrialle Landsverk, Head of Coaching at Gotham Roller Derby. “We are looking forward to continuing collaboration to bring skating events and community to the neighborhood.”

In addition to ice skating, roller skating, biking and boating activities, which will remain a core focus at the LeFrak Center, Frey is also interested in bringing more recreational, cultural and community events to the Center. The goal is to expand the offerings while building upon existing beloved events that have found a home at the LeFrak Center, such as Molière in the Park.

“The LeFrak Center has been the beating heart of Molière in the Park since our first season in 2019,” said Lucie Tiberghien, Founding Artistic Director. “We’ve been able to bring free theater productions of the highest professional quality to our beloved Brooklyn, in a splendid and unique setting. Last year, we awarded the Alliance our Shoulder to Shoulder Award for their commitment to building and sustaining communal spaces for people of all socioeconomic, cultural and racial backgrounds. We are thrilled to be able to double down on this commitment with the Alliance and LeFrak Center’s new management team.”

The Alliance also issued separate Requests for Proposals for recreational activities and the cafe, with the hope of making the cafe its own destination in the park, in addition to serving those enjoying the Center’s recreational activities.

“When it comes to the needs expressed by the community, access to high-quality, reasonably priced food and drink nears the top of the list, along with restrooms,” said Emily Krell, Alliance Vice President of Visitor Experience. “We are looking forward to offering a new cafe, along with well-maintained public restrooms and a renovated Splash Pad.”

The Alliance is in the final stages of selecting the new operators, and commencing planning for the summer season. In the meantime, ice skating will conclude the weekend of April 5 and 6, which will then be followed by repairs to the Center, including the Splash Pad, restrooms and other amenities. In May, the Alliance will welcome back Moliere in the Park for free performances, prior to the start of our summer season. More news to come as the transition gets underway.

Learn more about the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Enjoy Prospect Park with a Winter Checklist

January 14, 2025

Brooklyn’s Backyard has fun to offer in every season, even on the coldest of days. Whether you’re looking for that perfect New Year’s resolution to lend a hand to your community this year, or searching for seasonal fun to make the most of colder temperatures, we’ve put together 7 activities in a Prospect Park Winter Checklist for a winter well-spent.

1. Sledding in Prospect Park

Both through nature and by design, Prospect Park’s landscape is dotted with rolling hills, which makes it prime territory for winter sledding on a snowy winter day. When conditions are right, make sure to check out the top sledding destinations in Brooklyn’s Backyard. See you on the next snow day!

2. Winter Birdwatching
Brush off the binoculars! While winter may seem like a quiet time, Brooklyn’s Backyard continues to be bustling with feathered friends throughout the park. Make the most of the season with leaf-less trees to spot exciting species that frequent the park in the winter. Learn more about the 250+ bird species that can be spotted in Prospect Park, and join an upcoming Saturday morning Introduction to Birdwatching Walk with the Brooklyn Bird Club.

3. Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Glide into the new year at Prospect Park’s two open-air ice skating rinks! Enjoy a day of open-air skating, take ice bumper cars for a spin, try your hand at hockey and more for cold weather fun.

4. Take a Winter Walk
If summer crowds aren’t your scene, the colder months are the perfect time of year to explore Prospect Park’s 585 acres of meadow, forest and Brooklyn’s only Lake. Take a look at our suggestion for a scenic winter walking route to take advantage of the season.

5. Volunteer in Prospect Park
Explore your park while giving back to the park you love. Join Prospect Park Alliance for Winter Corps volunteer events on Wednesdays from 10 am–1 pm through February 26. Assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs to help Brooklyn’s Backyard thrive this season.

6. Enjoy family fun at the Audubon Center
Don’t miss family friendly nature education activities! Visit the Boathouse for mid-winter recess from February 16–20 to get to know the plants and animals that call Brooklyn’s Backyard home through seasonal discovery stations, animal encounters and a winter wilderness walk and more. Plus, don’t miss upcoming school holiday hours at the Boathouse.

7. Fuel Up to Brave the Cold
Warm up with some of Prospect Park’s best bites during your visit. Stop by WINNER for delicious pastries and sandwiches, grab authentic breakfast tacos from King David’s Tacos, or enjoy a hot drink from Duck Island Cafe & Bar. As spring approaches, keep an eye out for Poetic Coffee, Purslane Cafe and Lark by the Park as they reopen for the season. You can also shop fresh, locally grown produce and more at GrowNYC’s two year-round greenmarkets in Prospect Park.

Complete your 2026 Winter Checklist? Learn more about more upcoming events in Prospect Park.

c. Virginia Freire

Spring Break in Prospect Park

April 3, 2024

Enjoy your Spring Break with Prospect Park Alliance! Visit Prospect Park for family-friendly activities at Prospect Park Audubon Center, Carousel and LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

Nature Exploration Activities
Prospect Park Audubon Center 
April 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

The ingredients needed to produce the next generation of trees are found within nuts, cones and fruit. Join a naturalist and learn about seeds and the birds who eat them through hands-on crafts and activities. Continue your learning outside the park by potting your own take home plant.

  • Savvy Seeds 12 – 1 pm: Get hands-on with a few of Prospect Park’s Savvy seeds. Learn how different plants produce offspring by persuading pollinators and how they protect and disperse their seeds. 
  • Sow a Seed 1 – 2 pm: Learn about the survival needs of seeds and have the opportunity to plant a seed in your own custom planter made out of recycled paper.
  • Animal Encounter 2 – 3 pm: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s Collection. 
  • Nature on the Go! 3 – 4 pm: An Alliance Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can learn about the nature that is all around us.

Roller Skating in Prospect Park
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Daily beginning Thursday, April 18

Mark your calendars, it’s almost time to kick-off the roller skating season in Prospect Park! Roll into spring starting Thursday, April 18 for daily roller skating sessions in the heart of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Visit prospectpark.org/lakeside for more details.

Carousel Rides
Children’s Corner, $3 per ride, $13 for a book of 5 tickets 
Monday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 30, 12-5pm

Celebrate the start of spring with a ride on Prospect Park’s beloved 1912 Carousel. Free with Prospect Park Alliance Family Supporter membership or higher. Join the Alliance at the Family Supporter level or above and enjoy unlimited free rides!

Tennis Center April Adult + Junior Holiday Programs

April 22-26, 2024 1–4 pm, $85 per day
Players must register in advance.
The Prospect Park Tennis Center offers intensive group instruction for adults and children of all levels of experience. Our accomplished staff of tennis professionals gives players personal attention while they acquire game fundamentals and increase their skill level.

Bond With Brooklyn Free Community Skate

February 9, 2023

Bond With Brooklyn – a Brooklyn-centric initiative for community building spearheaded by leading real estate developer TF Cornerstone – in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and Lakeside Brooklyn, announced a free community skate event at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park. On Saturday, March 18, from 1 – 9pm, guests of the Bond With Brooklyn ice skating event will enjoy free admission, rentals, hot chocolate and a photo booth.

Register in advance for tickets to this free event (please note that walk up guests will also be honored).  Tickets for the event are first-come, first-serve and are rain or shine. Capacity is limited. 

“We are excited to invite members of the Brooklyn community to enjoy a day of ice skating fun. The community driven initiative known as Bond With Brooklyn began in 2017 with the opening of our first Brooklyn rental, 33 Bond Street. As we continue to expand the portfolio within Brooklyn, as do our efforts through Bond With Brooklyn and the imminent opening of our newest Brooklyn rental, 595 Dean Street. It is our mission to integrate ourselves into the local community through programs and events that give back,” said Zoe Elghanayan of TF Cornerstone.

Lakeside is the largest and most ambitious project in Prospect Park since its creation nearly 150 years ago. Spanning 26 acres, the $74 million restoration by the Prospect Park Alliance transformed the southeast corner of the Park into a popular scenic and recreational destination. Lakeside offers year-round seasonal activities, dining, and special events. From ice skating to boats and bikes, guests and visitors of Lakeside enjoy indoor and outdoor seating set against a panoramic view of the two rinks and beautiful Prospect Park Lake, as well as a distinctive menu at the classic Bluestone Lakeside Cafe & Bar with a full spectrum of dining options.

“Community has always been at the heart of the Prospect Park Alliance, and we couldn’t think of a better partner to bring such a fun event to life for our neighbors than TF Cornerstone, through its Bond With Brooklyn initiative,” said Morgan Monaco, president of Prospect Park Alliance. “We look forward to new and familiar faces on March 18, and hope to host more of these fun events with Bond With Brooklyn in the near future.”

This spring, TFC will open 595 Dean Street in Prospect Heights, a mixed-use two-tower development designed by Handel Architects. Anchored by nearly 60,000 square feet of public park space designed by Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA), as well as a state of the art Chelsea Piers Field House; 595 Dean Street will offer a total of 798 Studio, one- and two-bedroom rental units. Of the 798 rental units, 240 studio, one-, and two-bedroom units will be offered to middle income households through the housing lottery on NYC Housing Connect. The lottery for affordable units at 595 Dean Street will open to applications after the building’s opening this spring.

In celebration of TF Cornerstone’s support for developing and driving a more Brooklyn-centric focus across its portfolio; media, development progress and Brooklyn updates will be highlighted on the Instagram @BondWithBrooklyn.

To reserve tickets for the free event, please visit: www.prospectpark.org/community-skate

Bond With Brooklyn Logo

What We’re Planting in the Park This Spring

April 13, 2022

Spring has sprung in Prospect Park! Prospect Park Alliance gardeners and volunteers are putting on their gardening gloves and preparing for our seasonal planting. This spring, our Landscape Management team is preparing to add 10,953 plants to the park, including: 171 trees, 338 shrubs, and 10,499 herbaceous plugs.

Prospect Park comprises 585 acres of rolling meadows, waterways and woodlands in the heart of Brooklyn, and is home to the borough’s only lake and last remaining forest. This landscape, beloved by Brooklynites, is also an essential wildlife habitat and hosts 250 species of birds and other important flora and fauna. For over 30 years, Prospect Park Alliance has overseen the park’s natural areas, and major improvements have been made to the entire park ecosystem. This spring’s plantings continue this essential work to keep the park green and vibrant.

Many of the new trees will be planted as part of the Alliance’s Commemorative Giving program, an opportunity for the public to donate a tree to the park in honor of a loved one or for a special occasion. These additions help replace lost trees and ensure the ecological health of the park.

These trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plugs are destined for areas throughout Prospect Park. The southern shore of the Peninsula will receive native wetland plants in an effort to prevent the further erosion of the Lake edge and the expansion of the invasive phragmites, while creating a visually appealing native waterfowl habitat. At the Butterfly Meadow atop Lookout Hill, volunteers have done extensive work clearing the area of undesirable invasive plants to make way for more beneficial species.

One of the spring’s largest plantings will take place in the landscape surrounding the LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Alliance staff have been hard at work this winter experimenting with sheet mulching in anticipation of the new plant additions in the area. “It will be interesting to see how the sheet mulching works,” says Ecozone Gardener AJ Logan. “Even before we plant new things we are already seeing some of both our friends and foes of the plant world sneaking in around the edges of the cardboard.”

The plantings at Lakeside will include a variety of species well suited for our area, and selected for their ecological benefits within our ecosystem. One addition, the Red Chokecherry, (Aronia arbutifolia), is a native shrub in the rose family with attractive white flowers in the spring and intense red and orange foliage in the fall. Its pollen and nectar provide food for native pollinators, and its berries are a winter source of food for birds. Another, Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), has fragrant, bottle-brush like blooms of white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators in the summer.

The most important way the public can help these new plantings? “I’d like for visitors to know that when people and pets go into the horticultural beds, they can easily damage plants, particularly young perennials, and can contribute to soil compaction and erosion,” says Lakeside Lead Eco Zone Gardener Corbin Laedlein. “Please don’t wander into the beds and keep your dogs leashed at Lakeside.”

The sentiment is echoed by Eco Zone Gardener Jesse Brody, “with continued hard work, time and resources, I’m hopeful that we can get the LeFrak greenroof back to its pre-Covid state of being a landscape that serves important ecological functions and appears more worthy of the public’s respectful treatment.”

Learn more about Prospect Park Alliance’s work to sustain the environment.