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.
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 17–21 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
Savor Prospect Park bites and eats during your time in the park. Stop by the two new Prospect Park concessions that opened in 2024—Poetica Coffee at the Willink Plaza Entrance of the park, or Purslane Cafe at the Prospect Park Boathouse. Don’t forget about the delicious pastries and sandwiches from WINNER, the authentic breakfast tacos from King David’s Tacos or a warm drink from Bluestone Cafe. Plus, keep an eye out for Lark by the Park in the Spring and check out fresh, locally grown produce and more at GrowNYC’s two year-round greenmarkets in Prospect Park.
Want to explore Brooklyn’s Backyard from anywhere in the world? A virtual guide to Prospect Park is now live on the free arts and culture app, Bloomberg Connects. Bloomberg Connects is a source for accessible and interactive guides to hundreds of cultural spaces, museums, and more from around the world.
Whether on the ground in the park or miles away, explore Prospect Park’s history, architecture and more through images, audio guides and more—all from the palm of your hand. The Prospect Park Bloomberg Connects Guide includes virtual self-guided tours on the park’s history, and key destinations for architecture and landscape architecture, each with an interactive map to help locate featured destinations throughout the park.
The guide also features audio tours on the park’s natural areas, offering an inside look at the park’s woodlands and waterways, and even hosts a collection of acoustic recordings of the park’s trees, soil and waterways through an Underground Soundwalk. Whether you’re looking for a guided walk through key destinations in Prospect Park to explore key highlights in person or eager to learn more about our green oasis from miles away, the guide can be enjoyed from near and far. Plus, check out upcoming Alliance programming, ways to get involved in volunteering, membership and more to make the most of the park you love.
Learn more about the guide for self-guided exploration + how to book an in-person, guided park tour with Turnstile Tours: prospectpark.org/tours.
Re:New Prospect Park’s Successful 2024
December 10, 2024
Have you spotted new improvements throughout Prospect Park this year? Prospect Park Alliance’s Re:New Prospect Park has been in full swing in 2024 throughout Brooklyn’s Backyard. Launched in 2021 to serve our Brooklyn community in light of reduced City resources and increased use of the park, the Alliance utilizes private funding to undertake important infrastructure work traditionally undertaken by the City. Through this initiative, the Alliance has completed a range of essential projects across the park over the past four years to improve the daily visitor experience in the park. The initiative also includes the Alliance’s partnership with ACE New York to provide additional cleaning crews in the park from spring through fall.
Check out the Alliance’s transformative 2024 projects, including drainage improvements, path restorations and more. The Alliance also thanks our community for your generous support to make these Re:New Prospect Park improvements possible.
In October, Prospect Park Alliance completed drainage repairs on the bridle path near Wellhouse Drive which included reconstructing two catch basins and installing new pipes to connect the path to the Lake to help stormwater runoff.
Drainage Improvements Near Eastwood Arch
Near Eastwood Arch, an area severely eroded by Storm Ophelia in September 2023, Prospect Park Alliance restored the catch basin along the Park Drive, built a new curb and repaved the surface. These improvements will help with drainage, protect the area from erosion and ensure that the landscape can be sustained in the face of severe storms.
Drainage Improvements Near Grand Army Plaza Entrance
The Alliance restored three catch basins on the west side of the Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park to help improve drainage at this heavily used destination.
10th Avenue Lawn Drainage Improvements
In Summer 2024, the Alliance completed drainage repairs at the 10th Avenue Lawn in Prospect Park. The improvements included draining water from the area, improving the drainage system by replacing catch basins and repairing the lawn.
Improvements Near the Carousel + Prospect Park Zoo
If you’ve taken the Carousel for a spin this season, you may have seen improvements to the paths alongside this beloved park destination. The Alliance reconstructed two catch basins and repaved these well-used pathways to improve access for our community. To guard against the severe impacts from flooding, the Alliance also focused efforts on clearing four catch basins near the back gate of the Prospect Park Zoo to improve drainage in the area.
Prospect Park Alliance focused efforts on the highly utilized path between the Music Pagoda and Binnen Bridge. To help keep the area clear of water and debris, the Alliance repaved the path and reset a catch basin to help capture stormwater.
Third Street Entrance + Long Meadow to Third Street
North of the Third Street Entrance to Prospect Park, the Alliance cleared catch basins as a first step of our ongoing work to help alleviate drainage issues and improve the visitor experience for our community. Plus, Prospect Park Alliance cleared drains inside the Third Street Playground and cleared sewer lines from the playground to the Long Meadow to improve drainage.
Lakeshore + White Levy Esplanade
The serene view along Brookly’s only Lake has gotten even more scenic, as the Alliance repointed brick and stone at the Leon Levy White Esplanade, regrouted stone along retaining walls and more to improve accessibility for our community to enjoy the landscape’s one-of-a-kind view of the Lake and its wildlife inhabitants, including varieties of turtles and ducks.
Concert Grove
Near the historic Prospect Park Concert Grove, the Alliance reconstructed the iron railing and reset stone pieces along the time-honored park destination, home to our recently restored Concert Grove Pavilion.
New York City is experiencing unprecedented drought conditions, on Friday, November 8, Prospect Park experienced a 2-alarm fire in two acres of our beloved woodland Ravine, Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest. Thanks to the quick response of 106 Fire and EMS Personnel on scene, the fire was quickly contained and extinguished later that night.
“We thank the FDNY, NYPD and its sister agencies who responded quickly to the situation and got the fire under control,” shares Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “Damage to the park’s Ravine is particularly devastating as it is home to hundreds of species of trees, plants and wildlife that depend upon our woodlands for their health and well-being. We are so thankful to our community for the outpouring of support and care in stewarding our beloved park. Recent weeks have brought to the forefront of our minds just how essential our green oasis is to our community.”
Caring for the woodlands is core to the Alliance mission, and our team of ecologists, forestry technicians and arborists is working with our partners at NYC Parks to assess the damage and start work to stabilize the area and restore it with native plantings. “This devastated area will need major forest restoration efforts including slope stabilization and replanting of all three layers of the forest: overstory trees, midstory shrubs and herbaceous ground cover,” shares Prospect Park Alliance Director of Landscape Management, Leila Mougoui Bakhtiari. “This kind of forest restoration will take several years to undertake, and will need extensive long-term care to make sure the plant material is properly established and grows. The fire was located in a hard-to-access area due to the steep nature of the hill that will make this kind of long-term care challenging, and the Alliance’s restoration work in this area all the more essential.”
Notes of support left by community members in Prospect Park’s ravine.
As the Alliance continues assessing the fire’s damage, we anticipate losing some of the large canopy trees due to the damage, which will create light gaps and opportunities for invasive species to dominate the area. The location of the fire is also a “Forever Wild” area of the park, a designation that means it has rare and important native species of plants and animals, making our ongoing restoration to work in this area all the more essential.
The Ravine was one of the Alliance’s first forest restoration sites when we began our work to sustain the park in the early 1990s, and is essential to the health and vitality of our natural areas. In the months to come, the Alliance will share volunteer opportunities with our community to also lend a hand in helping our team restore this vital area of our forest.
While the city continues to experience severe drought conditions, grilling is currently banned, and smoking and open flames remain illegal. Any fires should be reported immediately to 911.
Alliance Recognized for Excellence in Public Design
November 18, 2024
Two Prospect Park projects have been recognized for excellence in design by the New York City Public Design Commission: the restoration of the Vale in the park’s northeast corner, and the new monument to Shirley Chisholm coming to the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance.
“Prospect Park Alliance is honored to be recognized for the innovative, sustainable and people-centered design of the Vale, which is the result of significant community outreach. One of the park’s historic areas and a vital woodland habitat, we are committed to ensuring the Vale is a vibrant, welcoming green space for all,” says Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “We are also thrilled to be recognized alongside our City partners for the Shirley Chisholm Monument. We are honored that Prospect Park will be home to this homage to Chisholm as an iconic Brooklyn trailblazer and will serve as a beacon to welcome our community into the park.”
Along with our partners at NYC Parks, Prospect Park Alliance was recognized for the restoration of the Vale in the park’s northeast corner. Prospect Park Alliance’s restoration of the Vale transforms one of the park’s historic yet little-known landscapes in its northeast corner into a lush and vibrant community destination. This area of the park had not seen capital improvement in over fifty years, and is a gateway to the park’s core woodlands, Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, and a front door to neighboring communities of Crown Heights, Flatbush and beyond.
The project includes the historic restoration of the Children’s Pool in the Lower Vale, which reintroduces architectural details while improving habitat for hundreds of species of birds that flock to this destination. The Upper Vale, a former rose garden with three disused concrete basins, is transformed into three distinct landscapes that were conceived through an intensive community engagement process: a pollinator garden and planted arbor; a children’s nature exploration area; and a lawn with natural seating elements and small building built into the terrain with composting restrooms and a sheltered gathering space. The restored Vale will serve as a welcoming front door to the community, an essential woodland habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife, and an intergenerational gathering space for all park lovers.
Through the community outreach and design process to gather public input for the landscape, the Alliance’s award-winning team of architects and landscape architects have designed a space for nature exploration, intergenerational gathering and quiet reflection.
The Shirley Chisholm Monument by Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous was also among the designs recognized with our partners at NYC Parks, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and NYC Department of Transportation. As the first monument commissioned as part of She Built NYC, an initiative that seeks public nominations to honor the New York City women who have changed history, the Shirley Chisholm Monument coming to the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to Prospect Park will pay homage to Brooklyn trailblazer and hero, Shirley Chisholm. Following a public design competition and planning process, the City approved plans for a 32-foot-tall monument to Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress, representing her childhood neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.
Artists Olalekan B. Jeyifous and Amanda Williams’ winning design encompasses a 32-foot-tall painted steel and bronze silhouette of Chisholm intertwined with the U.S. Capitol Dome, incorporating decorative metalwork of plants native to Barbados, where she lived as a child. The stonework surrounding the monument will include a Chisholm quote and an outline of the House of Representatives seating plan, with a bronze plaque representing Chisholm’s seat. The monument will be the first permanent public artwork in Brooklyn dedicated to a woman in history and the first to celebrate a woman and Black hero in Prospect Park.
Check out Prospect Park Alliance’s favorite walking route for fall foliage destinations this autumn. From vibrant vistas at the Peninsula, colorful hues on Lookout Hill, tall maples and London Planes along the Nethermead and Lullwater, and much more. Don’t miss the peak of fall foliage right around the corner, near the end of October!
Fall bird migration is in full swing, and Prospect Park is the place to be. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, Prospect Park is a haven for birds in all seasons, with 200+ species of resident and migratory birds. Autumn is an especially notable time for bird sightings as countless feathered friends embark on their lengthy journey to warmer climates. The park is a crucial rest stop for these species providing a critical haven for migratory birds to fuel up on seeds, berries and insects and find valuable protection as they venture south. Join the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance for Prospect Park Fall Migration Walks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in October.
Fall also presents an amazing time to deepen your commitment to Brooklyn’s Backyard by becoming a volunteer. From one-day Park Pitch-in, Fall Fix Up and Junior Volunteer Corps events, to more committed opportunities to work alongside Prospect Park Alliance gardeners with our EcoZone Volunteer Crew, there are many ways to get involved, stay active and enjoy the park in peak fall foliage season.
Learn more about nature with your little ones during free fall nature activities at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse Saturdays and Sundays through November. Make art out of fallen leaves, introduce your child to animals in the Audubon Center’s collection and explore on a fall nature walk to learn more about how the park’s insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes. Plus, enjoy Friday Wellness Walks starting from the Boathouse and strolling through fall park beauty including scenic trails along the Lullwater, Peninsula, Midwood or Waterfall. Want to bring your little, little ones along? Join for Stroller Walks past park waterways and through fall foliage on Thursdays through November.
Take an autumn ride on Prospect Park’s beloved 1912 Carousel. Open Thursdays–Sundays, and holidays, 12–5 pm, this treasured historic attraction features magnificent carved horses, lions, giraffes and deer. Plus, don’t be scared when you see the Carousel haunted on October 22, 23 and 31! Take a spin on the spooky ride to your favorite Halloween jams at the beloved, magical landmark in the Children’s Corner.
Visit the Long Live J’ouvert Pop Up Installation, on-view at the tollbooth outside of Lefferts Historic House through Sunday, November 3 celebrating the powerful traditions of the Caribbean diaspora and Carnival season. Plus, don’t miss ReImagine Artist in Residence, Adama Delphine Fawundu’s site specific installation Ancestral Whispers. The collection is informed by Prospect Park Alliance’s research into the lives of Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. View the exterior installation daily + view the interior installation during open hours from 12–4 pm on Saturdays + Sundays through December 1.
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Heights and Hills for Free Fitness Walks in Prospect Park for Adults Ages 60+ this fall on Thursdays from October 17 through November 7. Led by Matt Abrams, Director of the Park Slope Center for Successful Aging, these group walks are a great way to explore the park and get tips on how to stay active—especially for those with arthritis.
Prefer an indoor activity this fall? The indoor tennis season kicks off Monday, October 21 at the Prospect Park Tennis Center. Register little ones of any age and any level of experience for intensive group instruction through the Junior Development Program. Or work on your tennis skills on your own or with friends through the Adult Beginner Classes or the more advanced Adult Tennis Program. Sign up for a seasonal court or lessons today.
TLC For Trees in Brooklyn’s Backyard
Prospect Park is home to Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest: more than 30,000 trees of more than 175 species that keep our air clean, provide shade and cooler temperatures on hot summer days and a haven for wildlife year-round. In the face of climate change and a number of insects, diseases and other stressors, caring for this Brooklyn treasure is a constant focus of the Alliance’s Landscape Management team, who make use of a number of innovative strategies to help the trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard continue to thrive for generations to come.
Prospect Park’s beloved grove of nine American Elms (Ulmus americana) near Dog Beach on the Long Meadow are getting some much needed tender love and care thanks to the Alliance’s Landscape Management Team. These trees, which are close to 100 years old, are a Brooklyn treasure. Recently, the team injected the trees in the grove with an immunity-booster, known as “inoculant“, to protect them against Dutch Elm Disease, a fungus that has devastated this species of trees across the country for over 50 years. “The inoculant makes its way all throughout the tree in only about a week,” shares Alliance Arborist Malcolm Gore. “Trees are always moving fluids throughout their systems internally, so the dose spreads like a slow and steady drip. Much like how we protect ourselves from disease, one dose is not sufficient for a lifetime, and just as we need booster shots regularly, so do these trees. Providing this boost gives our trees the best chance they have to continue thriving from the inside out,“ says Gore.
Elm grove vaccination in-progress in the roots of the nine American Elms in the grove this Spring.
The team was also strategic in timing this work. “We did this in the Spring because that’s when trees are moving energy up to their leaves, which makes it a great time of year to ensure the full tree is protected.“Disease spreads when the carrier feeds on an infected tree; for instance, a beetle will suck on the sap of a tree, and if that tree is infected, that beetle spreads the disease to the next tree, making it essential for the entirety of the tree to have this layer of protection.
In addition to proactively immunizing the tree against Dutch Elm Disease, the Alliance’s Landscape Management team is also giving the grove some much needed rest and relaxation, including temporarily fencing off the area in order to aerate the soil around their roots to address compaction from years of heavy use. “Giving these trees the break and the rest that they need is what allows the trees to be here for such a long time. With healthy soil quality, these trees can live for up to 200-300 years and will remain a vital part of our park and community for centuries to come,“ shares Gore.
The American Elm Grove in Prospect Park c. Martin Seck
Another tree under threat in the park are the Beech trees (Fagus grandifolia and Fagus sylvatica), due to a relatively new disease aptly called Beech Leaf Disease. Jumping into action at the first sign of this disease in the park, the team plans to use phosphite, which acts as a Vitamin C-like immune booster to strengthen the trees’ immune response. A practice long used in agricultural settings for orchards and for crops, the team will use a phosphite “basal bark drench,“ which involves spraying the bark at the base of the tree. Since Beech trees have a very thin bark, in a matter of only a week or two the “booster“ travels from the roots through the entire tree to protect it against disease.
While the team takes on these interventions, they pay close attention to the fact that disease alone is only one factor that contributes to a tree’s health. Soil compaction, drought and extreme temperature changes are also increased threats. In the face of new tree diseases and ever-changing and unpredictable environmental factors from climate change, it’s all the more important to be intentional about our planting for the future of the park.
The Alliance is in the midst of a large fall planting season with 9,000 trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. “We’re planting a diverse range of species, and ones that can withstand the changes in our environment,“ says Gore on the ways the team remains adaptive and forward-thinking. “Last September we saw six inches of rain in a day and this year we will be lucky to get an inch in the whole month. Planting with climate change in mind is not just about planting more warm-weather species, but also considering the extreme variabilities in weather we are getting year to year. We cannot rely on historical data as much any more for expected precipitation and temperature ranges. We’re focusing on planting the types of trees that can adapt and survive through the extremes.“
This work was made possible through generous funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Urban and Community Program and the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, which has enabled essential tree maintenance in Prospect Park.
Legacy in Landscapes: Christian Zimmerman
October 4, 2024
For nearly three and a half decades, Christian Zimmerman, Prospect Park Alliance’s Vice President of Capital and Landscape Management and a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architecture, has overseen the dramatic transformation of Prospect Park after decades of deterioration and decline, stewarding this world-class landmark and beloved community destination. Among many accolades for his work during his ongoing tenure, Christian Zimmerman has most recently been awarded The Olmsted Network’s 2024 Olmsted Stewardship Awardin celebration of his work to tirelessly restore Prospect Park’s landscapes, introducing the next generation of landscape architects to famed park designer Frederick Law Olmsted.
A walk through Brooklyn’s Backyard, complete with the sounds of soothing waterfalls, chirping birds and scenic vistas, is an experience beloved by millions of park visitors each year – in large part thanks to the Alliance’s Design and Construction and Landscape Management teams’ work to restore Prospect Park’s landscapes and historic structures. With an award-winning team of architects, landscape architects, horticulturalists, arborists, ecologists and other professionals, the Alliance is constantly working to make the park more vibrant, accessible and resilient to climate change.
Over his nearly 35 years at the Alliance, Zimmerman has completed countless impactful projects to make the park the place that our community holds so dear, including significant capital projects including the restoration of the Ravine (Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest) and the 26 acres of Lakeside, including the LeFrak Center. One of his more cherished accomplishments was the mid-1990s restoration of the Ravine, including its network of waterfalls, ponds, streams and shoreline that brought the park’s watercourse back to life.
Christian Zimmerman holds up a historic view of Ambergill Falls, used to recreate this section of the watercourse. The restored falls are behind him. c. Prospect Park Archives, 1997 (left). Restored Ambergill Falls c. Elizabeth Keegin Colley (right).
“Prior to this reconstruction, the watercourse didn’t function properly, and people were somewhat afraid to go through the Ravine,” Zimmerman explained. “Restoring the woodlands while simultaneously reconstructing the watercourse really changed how people engaged with the park. When we re-opened it up to the public, the transformation was stunning. We even brought back a waterfall that hadn’t existed for decades, shares Zimmermman of the Ambergill cascade, once seemingly only a stream after falling into disrepair, and now a visible waterfall of about 10 feet. The team reshaped the Lullwater, brought back the Binnen Pool, which had also not existed for decades, as well as a number of rustic bridges, making Prospect Park’s woodlands and watercourse the peaceful and inviting respite it is today for our community of people, plants and wildlife.
On his role leading the Alliance’s capital and landscape management work, Zimmerman reflects “It’s all really humbling. To have the opportunity to work on this vast network of projects here in this one space. You don’t get that opportunity often as a landscape architect, and I feel that my role is very unique. Working for a park in this capacity is special, and being able to steward and take care of one place, as opposed to many firms where projects are very spread out, is unique. I’ve gotten to spend my entire career bringing one beloved place back to life – which I don’t take lightly.”
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, which opened to the public in 2013 c. Michael Moran
Zimmerman has seen how vital our park is as the backdrop to life’s moments, both celebratory and sorrowful. “We often talk about the pandemic in recent history, and how important Prospect Park was to our community during this time, but we’ve also seen for generations how the park is essential in getting our community through difficult times. It was heart wrenching and moving to be here during September 11. So many in our community wanted to be among people in their city, but quietly. The park’s landscapes gave people that place to find comfort near one another but not with each other. We saw then, and we continue to see now, each day, just how important this space is to people. Prospect Park gives people solace. It reminds me of how important it is to be taking care of this space, and I feel lucky to be able to do this. I don’t take it for granted.”
Along with leading the team in the restoration of park landscapes, Zimmerman instills a sense of mentorship in his work each day, teaching the next generation of architects and landscape architects to help continue the Alliance’s legacy. “There are cycles of history, and there are times within this park’s history that there were periods of neglect, and then an era of renewal and recovery. I was fortunate enough to come at a time when there was a renaissance with the founding of the Alliance. Since then, we’ve had this period of stability and renewal and we need to keep that going. I see one of my responsibilities as making sure the legacy of the Alliance remains moving forward, ensuring the Alliance will continue the great work we’ve accomplished.”
As he looks toward the future of Prospect Park, Zimmerman is excited for the upcoming restoration of the Vale in the park’s northeast corner and the restoration of the Lakeshore of Brooklyn’s only Lake. “I’m most excited by the fact that this long-term project will benefit so many people and neighborhoods and truly set up for the future of the park.” The multi-phase project, which is in the design phase of Phase 1, will make this 60-acre lake more resilient to severe storms and flooding, reduce the use of city water in our watercourse, improve the park’s ecology and the visitor experience. “This project collectively represents all that we do: historic restoration, environmental resilience, and so much more. We are addressing climate change, increasing wildlife habitat, and providing essential accessibility improvements—it touches everything.”
On the future of the park, Zimmerman shares that at the culmination of large restoration projects or the establishment of new landscapes, he’s often asked about what could be next now that the work is “done.” “The park is never finished,” he reflects. “I have countless projects left in mind to do, and to re-do, as the park continues to change. There is no ‘it’s done’ moment as the stewards of the park–—there are endless opportunities.”
If you’ve visited Prospect Park’s scenic woodlands this past spring and summer, stopped by the Boathouse for nature education activities or attended a community event at Lefferts Historic House, you’ve likely spotted the Prospect Park Alliance Woodlands Youth Crew and Park Youth Representatives in action helping Brooklyn’s Backyard thrive and engaging our community. These hardworking teams of teens have tackled restoration projects to sustain Brooklyn nature, delved into environmental education with youth and families and shared fascinating information about the park and its history with our community.
Led by Kevon Hines, the Alliance’s Woodlands Youth Crew Program Supervisor, the group expanded to 22 high school students this season. “The program is tailored for high school students, but if members wish to continue in college, they have the opportunity to become ‘near-peers’ and take on a mentorship role to help younger crew members become leaders in their work,” shares Kevon.
This year the crew is focused on critical ecological restoration in the Ambergill, a forested area that borders the park’s watercourse. They are removing invasive plants including English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) which crowd out native plants that are essential for a healthy forest; as well as stabilizing eroding hillsides, dispersing native plant seeds on the cleared forest floor and planting a rich palette of native trees, plants and shrubs. The team learned about the various ecosystems in park, environmental stewardship and worked alongside Alliance Arborist Malcolm Gore to gain new skills such as tree pruning.
“One of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing the before-and-after transformation of our sites,” shares crew member Aidan Garnero. “We’ve learned to work together as a team. Seeing the cleared out areas that we’d finished weeding is extremely satisfying, as we know it’s a result of our hard work and determination. It’s also very rewarding to know that clearing fields of invasive plants allows for native species to be planted in their place to keep the park healthy. We get to make Prospect Park a better place while enjoying our day to day and learning valuable skills along the way.”
While the improvements in the Ambergill are a clear testament to the team’s dedication and skill, the program’s success also lies in the personal and professional growth of the crew members. Having returned for his fourth year on the WYC, crew member Antonio Martinez reflects, “Being a leader in the Youth Crew helped me realize things that I never knew about myself since I first started in 9th grade. Going into my senior year of high school now, this program has increased my confidence and productivity. It’s helped me to be a leader amongst my peers. I will forever be grateful to the Woodlands Youth Crew.”
WYC members soil mixing at Gowanus Nursery on a site-visit to collaborate with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, where the team learned about street tree care.
The 2024 season also marks the 21st year of Prospect Park Alliance’s Park Youth Representative program where dedicated teens are in-action engaging our community in nature activities at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse and Brooklyn culture and history events at Lefferts Historic House.
Youth Representatives leading nature education activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center (left) and supporting the opening reception for Ancestral Whispers at Lefferts Historic House (right)
The seven Park Youth Representatives participating in our nature programs were recruited from BASE High School, which specializes in environmental education, as well as Clara Barton High School just east of the park.
“These teens jumped into our programs with enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges, from leading nature exploration activities, assisting with summer camp programs, guiding nature walks and much more,” shares Audubon Center Public Programs Manager Camilla Wilson. “Each of the Youth Representatives has a strong and unique skill set, and their experience allows them to focus on their interests and strengths, as well as stretch themselves to take on new challenges.
Among the current crewmembers are Katt Blades, a returning PYR, who has always shown an aptitude in caring for the center’s animals and sharing this knowledge with our community. Breianna Lionel, known for her organizational skills, played a key role in data collection and analysis, helping to simplify the way data is collected at the center. Upon graduating high school, college-aged students can become Naturalists-in-Training and eventually a House Manager, overseeing the center during key programs and honing their skills engaging our Brooklyn community.
Four Youth Representatives from BASE High School also gained hands-on public programs experience at the Lefferts Historic House. “This summer, PYRs took on much of the daily museum operations, demonstrating their ability to adapt and lead in a dynamic environment. We could not do what we do without them,” says Lefferts Historic House Director Dylan Yeats. PYRs had the chance to lean into personal interests and identity in their work. “One of our PYRs, Soraya Serome, is talented in art and calligraphy so she helped create some of our exhibits and signage. Another PYR, Mordecai Dubois, is Trinidadian and helped with our sorrel-making workshops, adding his own personal touch to some of the recipes.”
The WYC and PYR programs not only equip youth with practical professional experience but also instill confidence, foster mentorship and support the next generation of leaders in parks and open spaces.
Archtober + Open House New York Weekend in Prospect Park
September 5, 2024
Explore Prospect Park with upcoming special tours throughout Brooklyn’s Backyard in October!
Don’t miss Archtober, NYC’s architecture and design month featuring hundreds of events, tours, and exhibitions throughout the city including four in Prospect Park! Join Prospect Park Alliance and Turnstile Tours for architectural tours celebrating the legacy of Prospect Park co-designer, Calvert Vaux, an exploration of the architecture of Prospect Park Zoo and the park’s waterways. Plus, save the date for Open House New York Weekend to take an inside look at the Prospect Park Vale to learn about its upcoming restoration and more.
Archtober Prospect Park Tour: Calvert Vaux at 200 Saturday, October 5, 10:30 am–12:30 pm Bartel-Pritchard Square, Prices Vary Discover hidden treasures, natural wonders and little-known tales on interactive guided tours of Prospect Park in the heart of Brooklyn, presented by Turnstile Tours in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance. Join a special tour in celebration of Prospect Park co-designer Calvert Vaux’ 200th birthday in 2024.
Archtober Prospect Park Tour: Art + Architecture with Prospect Park Zoo Saturday, October 12, 10:30 am–12:30 pm Prospect Park, Prices Vary, Get Tickets: prospectpark.org/archtober Join Turnstile Tours, Prospect Park Alliance and the Prospect Park Zoo for an inside look at the beautiful public buildings and artwork that have adorned the park since its founding in 1867, including a special exploration of the beloved Prospect Park Zoo and its one of a kind architecture.
Archtober Prospect Park Tour: Waterways Sunday, October 13, 2–4 pm Bartel-Pritchard Square, Prices Vary, Get Tickets: prospectpark.org/archtober Join Turnstile Tours and Prospect Park Alliance for an inside look at the Waterways of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Prospect Park is an engineering marvel, designed around an ingenious drainage system and a chain of manmade streams and ponds throughout Prospect Park’s watercourse.
Save the Date! Registration for OHNY begins in early October. Join Jillian Pagano, Landscape Architect II and Deborah Kirschner, Vice President of External Relations, at Prospect Park Alliance, to learn about the upcoming restoration of the Prospect Park Vale in the northeast corner of the park. Discover the Alliance’s plans to transform the Vale, an important woodland landscape that serves as a critical habitat to birds and other wildlife, and the extensive community outreach and engagement efforts that led to a new vision for this lesser-known park landscape to make it more welcoming and accessible to all Brooklyn residents.
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Love Prospect Park? Sign up for the Prospect Park Alliance eNews to be the first to learn about news and online events from Brooklyn's Backyard!
