Prospect Park Brooklyn

Before the park

About 17,000 years ago, the Harbor Hill Moraine, a terminal moraine of the retreating Wisconsin Glacier that shaped Long Island, formed a series of hills and kettles in the northern part of Prospect Park, along with a lower outwash plain in the southern area. Mount Prospect (or Prospect Hill), located near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway, stands as one of Brooklyn’s tallest hills, rising 200 feet (61 m) above sea level. This hill is part of a range that includes Sullivan, Breeze, and Lookout hills. Originally covered in forest, the area transitioned to open pasture over two centuries of European settlement. However, some significant tree stands persisted, particularly in the peat bogs south of Ninth and Flatbush Avenues, and in a large bog north of Ninth Street, featuring chestnut, white poplar, and oak trees. These pockets of woodland were preserved in what is now known as the Prospect Park Ravine, earning the nickname “The Last Forest of Brooklyn”.

During the American Revolutionary War, Prospect Park was the site of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn). American forces aimed to defend Battle Pass, a gap in the terminal moraine where Flatbush Road once ran between Brooklyn and Flatbush. A large white oak tree was felled to impede the British advance, though it was eventually overcome in the midst of heavy fighting. Despite the loss, the Continental Army’s resistance stalled the British long enough for George Washington’s troops to retreat safely across the East River to Manhattan. Commemorative plaques near the zoo and the Maryland Monument at the base of Lookout Hill honor this pivotal event.

Planning

The genesis of Prospect Park can be traced back to an act of the New York State Legislature on April 18, 1859, which appointed a twelve-member commission to identify suitable park sites within the City of Brooklyn. During this era, Brooklyn was emerging as the world’s first commuter suburb and grew to become the third largest city in the United States from 1860 to 1880, trailing only New York City (including Manhattan and parts of the Bronx) and Philadelphia. This period witnessed a growing interest in the concept of public parks.

Inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s design for Manhattan’s Central Park in 1858, James S. T. Stranahan, the President of the Brooklyn Board of Park Commissioners, advocated for a similar park in Brooklyn. He believed such a park would offer recreational opportunities for all segments of the community, providing a space for exercise and relaxation amidst nature. Additionally, Stranahan saw the potential of a public park to attract affluent residents to the area. Originally, Stranahan envisioned a vast park stretching eastward to Jamaica, Queens. However, the rapid urbanization of Brooklyn rendered this vision unattainable. The legacy of this proposed park concept is evident in the creation of Prospect Park and Forest Park in Queens.

In February 1860, a group of fifteen commissioners put forward recommendations for the locations of four large parks and three smaller parks in Brooklyn, along with a network of boulevards to connect them. The largest of these proposed parks was a 320-acre plot centered on Mount Prospect, bounded by Warren Street to the north, Vanderbilt, Ninth, and Tenth Avenues to the west, Third and Ninth Streets to the south, and Washington Avenue to the east. Egbert Viele was commissioned to draft plans for “Mount Prospect Park,” which was intended to encompass Prospect Hill and the land now occupied by the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Brooklyn Museum.

Construction

Despite the challenges posed by Vaux’s revisions, Stranahan remained a staunch advocate for the revised proposal. Vaux enlisted the help of Olmsted and formally presented the plan in February 1866. By May of that year, the revised plan had been accepted, and construction commenced the following month, initially focusing on land drainage. The grading of roads, bridle paths, and walkways, as well as the landscaping of individual features, soon followed. Within the park’s boundaries, three scenic roads—the West, Center, and East Drives—were constructed. Depending on the season, the workforce ranged from 250 to 2,000 individuals. Landscaping efforts primarily involved the removal of obstacles like pits and swamps while accentuating natural features such as hills. Trees were only cleared if they obstructed the construction of roads or paths.

The first segment of Prospect Park opened to the public on October 19, 1867, even as construction continued. This accessible area included part of the East Drive, stretching from the park’s north end (modern-day Grand Army Plaza) to Coney Island Avenue in the southeast. Early amenities within the park included the Playground, featuring a croquet lawn, a sailboat pond, a maze, and a summer house. By 1868, the park was attracting around 100,000 visitors per month, with several miles of roads, paths, and walkways completed. The acquisition of land for the Parade Ground also occurred in 1868, while pedestrian arches were erected to separate foot traffic from vehicles.

To accommodate the influx of visitors, over 200 benches were installed, along with rustic wooden shelters along the lake’s shoreline for scenic viewing. Additionally, numerous bridges and eight hundred birdhouses were added to enhance the park’s natural charm. By 1870, the lake was nearing completion, and street widening projects adjacent to the park were underway. Visitor numbers continued to rise, reaching 250,000 per month by 1871. Prospect Park had become an essential Sunday destination for Brooklyn’s working population by 1873, according to The New York Times. However, the surge in visitors also led to challenges, as observed in an 1875 editorial in the Times, which noted the tendency for many visitors to take shortcuts across the grass instead of using designated paths.

Late 19th century

Following its opening, Prospect Park quickly became a hub for various sports and recreational activities. Archery gained popularity on the Long Meadow, with up to 100 groups convening there for croquet on weekends. In the winter, “ice baseball” was played on the lake, while ice skating became a common pastime as well. Due to restrictions on picnicking in Central Park and other Manhattan parks, Prospect Park emerged as a favored spot for picnics, although this popularity also led to issues with litter, prompting complaints about cleanliness by 1881.

Notably, no new structures were added to Prospect Park until 1882 when a functional brick stable was constructed on the park’s western side. The same year, Mayor Seth Low did not reappoint Stranahan or the other commissioners, signaling a shift in park management style towards neoclassicism.

During the 1880s, the park suffered from overuse and inadequate maintenance, leading to a decline in its quality. Mayor Alfred C. Chapin’s visit in 1888 prompted a $100,000 allocation for park improvements. Consequently, the Brooklyn Parks Commission initiated a $200,000 restoration program, repaving walkways and drives, and replanting flora. The commission also proposed acquiring land around the Mount Prospect Reservoir, northeast of the park, which had been excluded from the original park plan. However, this area was developed into the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Central Library, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the ensuing decades. The reservoir was eventually filled in, and along with Mount Prospect Hill, it became the separate Mount Prospect Park in 1940.

Early 20th century

In 1898, the consolidation of Brooklyn with Manhattan and other surrounding boroughs formed the City of Greater New York. By the end of the 19th century, Prospect Park was attracting approximately 15 million visitors annually. Despite official bans on picnics and large eating events, enforcement was lax until 1903 when an influx of visitors from Manhattan led to an uptick in luncheons being hosted, prompting stricter enforcement of the rules. In 1907, lights were installed to discourage couples from engaging in intimate activities within the park. Simultaneously, the city initiated an improvement program at Prospect Park, which included landscape cleaning, the construction of the Bartel-Pritchard Square entrance, and the removal of an old boathouse to make way for the Boathouse on the Lullwater.

Construction activity continued into the early 20th century, with the addition of neoclassical structures such as the Peristyle (1904), Boathouse (1905), Tennis House (1910), and Willink Comfort Station (1912). These were designed by Helmle, Hudswell, and Huberty, who were alumni and proteges of McKim, Mead, and White. The newly constructed entrances to Prospect Park also adhered to the neoclassical architectural style. Additionally, two now-demolished structures were erected on the peninsula: the Model Yacht Club House (1900–1956) and a shelter (1915–c.1940s). These alterations to the park’s original plan reportedly distressed Olmsted.

Robert Moses era

In January 1934, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia appointed Robert Moses as the commissioner of the newly formed New York City Department of Parks (NYC Parks), which centralized park management by eliminating borough park commissioners. Moses held this position for the next twenty-six years and left a significant mark on the city’s parks. He utilized federal funds aimed at combating unemployment during the Great Depression, leading to a surge in construction activities at Prospect Park.

One notable addition during this period was the opening of the Prospect Park Zoo in 1935 on the park’s eastern side, replacing the former Menagerie. Towards the end of the 1930s, the Bandshell and five playgrounds were also constructed. Additionally, the Carousel was unveiled in 1949 as a generous gift from the late philanthropist Michael Friedsam. Moses implemented various policies at the park, including a ban on sheep grazing in the Long Meadow.

During World War II, Prospect Park played a role in the city’s antiaircraft defense efforts. Around Swan Lake in the Long Meadow, three hundred soldiers were stationed to man batteries, underground ammunition depots, observation towers, repair shops, and barracks. Although these defenses were dismantled in 1944, remnants such as slit trenches and sandbagged gun emplacements persisted for several years.

In 1959, the southern third of the Long Meadow underwent grading and fencing to create ballfields, further enhancing the park’s recreational offerings.

Late 20th century

During the 1960s and 1970s, the demolition of Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan sparked a growing historic preservation movement. In September 1964, the Parks Department nearly demolished the Boathouse on the Lullwater in Prospect Park, which, although underutilized at the time, shared architectural similarities with the iconic station. The Friends of Prospect Park, a preservation group led by poet Marianne Moore, successfully campaigned to save the Boathouse, highlighting the importance of preserving historical structures within the park.

Renovation projects for Prospect Park gained momentum by the late 1960s. In 1965, the city allocated funds to renovate the Vale of Cashmere and the Rose Garden ahead of Brooklyn’s 300th anniversary and the park’s 100th anniversary the following year. Additional funds were earmarked for the renovation of the Boathouse and overall park improvements. Despite some delays in project implementation, by 1971, the city had spent $4 million on renovating Prospect Park, including the restoration of the Boathouse and the dredging of the lake. The Rose Garden and the Vale of Cashmere had also undergone landscaping.

However, by the 1970s, Prospect Park faced challenges such as crime and neglect, leading to soil erosion and landscape deterioration. A 1974 report revealed that 44 percent of city residents would advise others to avoid the park entirely. Attendance plummeted to a historic low of two million by 1979.

In the 1980s and 1990s, efforts were made to revitalize Prospect Park. The administration of Mayor Ed Koch sought to transfer the troubled Prospect Park Zoo to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Over the following years, the city invested millions of dollars in park cleanup, including significant federal funding. These efforts paid off, as annual visitor numbers nearly tripled between 1980 and 1987. Additionally, Prospect Park received historic designations as a New York City Historic Landmark in 1975 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Early 21st century

In the 2000s and 2010s, the Prospect Park Alliance embarked on numerous restoration projects to revitalize the park’s infrastructure and amenities. By the year 2000, the Wollman Rink had deteriorated, necessitating its replacement. The Alliance formulated plans to restore Music Island and the original shoreline, which had been altered during the construction of the original rink in 1960. While some Moses-era playgrounds and the Bandshell were retained due to their popularity, original rustic summer houses were either restored or recreated along Prospect Park Lake, the Lullwater, and in the Ravine. As part of the restoration efforts, the Wollman Rink was replaced by two rinks in the new LeFrak Center, a year-round recreational facility. Construction on the LeFrak Center began in 2009, and by 2011, the Wollman Rink had been demolished. The Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside was completed in December 2013 at a cost of $74 million. Plans for the restored Music Island were announced in 2009, and the Chaim Baier Music Island, along with the Shelby White and Leon Levy Esplanade overlooking the island, were restored and rededicated in October 2012 using a $10 million grant.

Subsequently, the Prospect Park Alliance continued to undertake restoration projects for the park. Long Meadow ball field 1 was rebuilt between 2013 and 2014. In the following years, the Alliance announced projects on the park’s eastern side, including the restoration of Battle Pass, the Oriental Pavilion, and fencing on Flatbush Avenue. In 2016, the Alliance received funding from NYC Parks’ Parks Without Borders program to construct two new entrances on Flatbush Avenue, the park’s first new entrances in over 70 years, as well as to rebuild the Willink entrance. Additionally, various politicians allocated funds for restoration projects in the park during the city’s 2016 fiscal year, including renovation of Lefferts Historic House, rebuilding pathways, replacing fencing, renovating ballfields, and restoring the Carousel. In the same year, the Prospect Park Alliance utilized goats to clean up shrubbery in woodlands around the Vale of Cashmere as part of a project to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, followed by landscaping efforts.