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Prospect Park
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Park Slope
95 Prospect Park W
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-8951
95 Prospect Park W
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-8951
- Nearest Transit:
-
7th Ave (F)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
162 reviews for Prospect Park
LOVE
Such a beautiful, interesting park with hidden trails and paths, cool little buildings. One of my favorite places.
"I spy with my little eye...a high tree." -- Little girl to father.
Girl, please. That's not even fair. Also, you should really say "tall."
Anyway. I'm not here to correct a five-year-old's grammar or point out how unfairly she plays the "I Spy" game.* I'm here to talk about Brooklyn's lush, sprawling, and endlessly fun park. And the little girl has a point: It's full of nature!
This is one of my favorite places to spend a sunny weekend not far from the apartment. Pack a little picnic with your favorite sweet treats, and don't forget your grape juice or sparkling water.**
If you're a voyeur like me, you'll love people-watching here.*** Here you can sit back, relax, and watch:
-- People "spike" a volleyball right into someone else's face.
-- Shirtless sunbathers acting like this is a beach.
-- People flying kites. Or better yet: Kites that won't fly.
-- People exercising, making you feel like a drunk fatty.
-- Dogs. Lot of adorable dogs.
-- Children running, crying, tripping, actin' a fool, and generally being little people without a care in the world, making you simultaneously glad AND jealous that you aren't one.****
Seriously though. This park is huge--with so many hidden meadows and treasures--and you should dedicate a good amount of time to exploring. Lots of concerts, the zoo, festivals, and lounging. What more could you ask for? (Just ignore the over-flowing garbage cans.)
__________
* But it is something to look into unless you want her failing out of elementary school. Just sayin', give it some thought.
** By which I mean WINE. Duh.
*** I'm owning up to my creeper-status. We all should.
**** Based solely on this review, I should never have children.
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I love this park, don't get me wrong. It's beautiful, has great trails and wildlife, is central and frequented by all sorts of different kinds of Brooklynites.
But I want to make a statement. The fences surrounding it make me feel like I'm in a lush, beautiful jail cell. I remember when parks weren't surrounded by these terrible bars. They can say it's for our safety, against sexual violence or gangs, but I'd honestly feel less safe if I was attacked and were the running type. An assailant would have you cornered, unless you had any skill at jumping fences and not getting cut on the sharp spikes.
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Prospect, too far away for me. Its vastness never seems to amaze me. Never in a very long time did I see a stretched out horizon without a building blocking my way. Though you are cluttered at times and perhaps should replace your port-o-potties with real bathrooms. I am glad that you provided my friends and me lots of silly hours of playing frisbee and also tiring out my friend's untrained new terrier. So we could be silly again and play frisbee again.
Baseball, Volley, frisby, kite, soccer, fire grills, all in harmony with the sun bathing towels like polka dots on the field, resulting in an awesome, gorgeous, huge, fantastic park right across Vanderbilt Street [Amorina, The Usual, Plan B] no need for big ice boxes, whats not to love.
All of the above is just one field at the north end by the Grand Army Plaza main park entrance, specially enjoyable on days 10+ mph winds, protected by trees all around, unless you really do enjoy sand aliens crashing in your ears and poking you all over while bathing.
Lake lovers head south, for the zoo east, all bbq lovers anywhere along the west side, plus ultimate biking grounds, go Brooklyn!
[one thing i just can't understand why its only 4.5 stars, who's complaining about free things, my tax dollars? check out Sweden or Belgium for about 30% income tax and no, the park gates are not from gold, public bathrooms are in the works for Grand Army Plaza $0.25 for 25min]
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who the F gave Prospect Park less than 4 stars?
dang hipster contrarians.
Prospect Park is my favorite park in all of NYC. It really quite and very peaceful and never anywhere near as crowed as Central Park or Flushing Meadows Park. Its really green and clean and my dog love run is the clearings and meet all the other dogs.
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Prospect Park vs. Central Park
I travelled to Central park nearly every day for the past 4 years; I have a dog and most of it is here: (http://www.flickr.com/...) but since our move to Bklyn - my eyes have been opened. Below are my notes:
Both Built by Vaux & Olmstead
Central Park (CP) is a museum
Prospect Park (PP) is modelled after pastures
(CP)has a lot of off limits
(PP)does not
It's illegal to grill in CP
Bring it all to PP
Rec fields abound (tie)
dogs not allowed in big fields in CP
free reign and did I mention DOG BEACH!?
Strawberry fields CP
less tourists PP
boat house, lakes, zoo, bathrooms, rental spaces TIE
Seriously folks, if you want to feel like you're truly getting away, feel the grass beneath your toes, grill out and not have to swim over millions of tourists and have to touch other sweaty strangers just to walk down a path; go to PP
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Today was my second visit to Prospect Park. Last time I visited was Fall 08' and then its landscape's colors were beautiful. During today's trip I think Prospect Park may have stolen my heart away from Central Park.
Things that made my day seem movie-like while in this park:
- Perfect weather combined with gorgeous lawns filled with people doing every kind of outdoor activity possible including: capture the flag, pogo stick jumping, bike riding, playing with their dogs and I even saw a game of twister going on.
- Children playing with balloons and blowing bubbles while a few feet away a girl sings Amazing Grace and a guy strums a guitar
- There were signs all over that people bent the rules on such as "Dog must be leashed" then steps away there were 2 dogs with leashes attached but no one holding onto the leashes while they ran around freely
- I was excitedly telling my pal a story while someone nearby was softly playing their guitar and then of course the sun cast a ray in my direction
- There were a couple boys on bikes calling to their friend to catch up to them and the boy lagging behind responds with "my engine's dying" as he rolls pass us with his back tire of his bike sounding exactly like...an engine dying
- I'm walking with my pal talking about playing team sports when a soccer ball stumbles into our path and my pal manages to kick it right into my leg demonstrating his level of sports skills
Now onto things I need to remember to bring next time as I obviously came unprepared this time:
- A map
- A bathing suit to wear under my clothes
- A blanket
- A bowling bag filled with mysterious items such as a book & water
This is GREAT park that filled my day with laughs, lovely sights, and good company.
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This is THE great park of New York City. I am amazed at how many times people have argued with me over Central Park's superiority - Prospect Park is in a class by itself - huge, beautiful, lush - if you look hard enough you can find anything you want in it and it would take a very long time to discover all of its treasures.
i never thought such a beautiful thing as prospect park would ever come into my life. excuse me...i have something in my eye...
this summer i went out of my way to spend more time outside than ever before. in doing so, i took full advantage of mother nature's proud gifts of trees and flowers and the sky and grass and leaves and bushes and dirt and hills and wonderful, wonderful trails.
i could do that whole thing where i rave about the free shows, the eating spots, the games to be played, the convenient water fountains and the bike trails but you don't need me for that. you don't need me for this.
experience it for yourself. you'll be glad you did.
okay bye.
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Things to accomplish while visiting the park:
Feed the geese...I dare you to let those mean f*ckers eat from your hand
Ride your bike the wrong way on the trail and laugh at the cyclists who care
Hide in the bushes near the Audobon Center and make immitation duck noises
Buy a dollar store kite and run wildly through the long meadow hopping loving couples who lay in your way
Turn the peddle boats into "bumper boats" with unsuspecting fellow peddlers
Just a few suggestions. Prospect Park is entertaining for hours.
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If you live in Park Slope or the surrounding neighborhoods and are the parent of a teenager this is probably where you'll find them on weekend evenings. Do not be surprised if they are guzzling 40s of Colt 45 or OE. Do not be surprised if they are smoking weed. Do not be surprised if they receive a summons for drinking in the park, blame it on their no good friends and have to go to court.
Prospect Park has been a part of my life from the day I moved to Brooklyn (I think I was 3). We lived in Windsor Terrace, right across from the place. The good: Being able to cross the street, walk for 5 minutes and be on the perfect sledding hill. Being able to roam the "forests" and pretend you were a Native American trekking "your land" and trying to solve problems that the White Man brought to you. This would usually end in death. Lots of death. There are millions of trees to climb and it's a wonderful bird watching spot. The bad: The rats would scurry over from the park and to our house to save themselves from the cold.
Prospect Park seems to be the place to remember how diverse Brooklyn is. You've got a hodge podge of people playing impromptu soccer matches, kids of all colors and shapes and sizes learning how to play baseball, latino volleyball barbecues and scores of beautiful couples picnicking in the fields. It's kind of a paradise, especially in the summer when Celebrate Brooklyn is in full swing and you're at a concert with fireflies buzzing around you.
DID U KNO: The Vale of Cashmere was where homosexuals would go to do it up back in the day!! FUN FACT!!
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It has been my dream to go on a picnic with a boyyyyyyyy in the park.
I know, I dream really big.
Well my dreams came true yesterday. Like a good domestic housewife, I packed an enormous picnic decked out with turkey sandiwches on challah rolls, 2 different kinds of chips, cookies and a homemade fruit salad. I even put mango in the salad (he adores mango apparently)- and I DESPISE mango.
Romantic right?
We sprawled ourselves over my queen sized flat sheet and 2 throw pillows and ate and talked and wondered
"How high can kites REALLY fly?"
The breeze was glorious. The sun not too bright. The grass, perfect.
Our picnic ended with a gift from HIM. He bought me a box of assorted hazelnut creme filled cookies from his trip to Italy last week. He definitely knows how to win over my heart...
Thank you Prospect Park for an amazingly delightful 3rd date...
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Beautiful Park that isn't so large.
We were just enjoying the lake and eating DiFara's Pizza (I know, how can I not?) and then we bumped into a couple of friends. It is so nice to bump into people in NYC. It always seems like such a massive big town that engulfs people and they disappear. Then, they are attracted to this lovely park: big enough for your own space and small enough to meet up.
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Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. Okay, so in all honesty I love most parks... forests or natural places but since this is my local big park it deserves a review.
I love that I can ride my bike as fast as I can around the loop without worry of being smacked into by a car... although being so close to Park Slope you might be smacked into by someone's rogue child so look out for those.
I love the grassy knoll outside the band shell where you can listen to the awesome bands for free and have a drunken picnic... or even a cookout
I love that I can technically walk here from my apartment if the bus never comes... because in ft. greene the bus really never comes- at least not when you want it to.
I love that I can pull over for a game of frisbee or wiffle ball after my bike ride and the guy with the icee cart will deliver your coconut icee right to you while you lounge on the big green lawn
And last but not least, I love that the park is nice and big so there is a lot to do and explore here
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I had never been to Prospect Park until yesterday. I got to know it intimately yesterday morning helping out with Hands on New York day as a volunteer. But after my work was done, I had the rest of the afternoon to hang out and just take in this beautiful park. I had no idea just how huge it is, and it is so beautiful and varied. It was consistently interesting and enjoyable. And I hate to admit this, but it is much nicer than Central Park -- in fact, this might be the best public park I have ever been to. It's just gorgeous and not nearly as crowded as Central Park can be, even for a beautiful day like yesterday. For the first time, I could see some appeal to living in Brooklyn, and that is worth 5 stars!
If you have never been, check it out!
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Love this place!
I did have an accident here a few years ago on Memorial Day, where some dumb woman crashed into me on her bike as I was jogging and gave me a concussion and a lacerated scalp. But it's not the park's fault, right? It was really crowded and we both changed lanes without looking.
I really want to live nearby. I love running here, I love relaxing here too.
Only issue is safety after dark. I would not go here at night.
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Great Park especially for living near by. It's better then central park in the sense that you don't see buildings while you're in the park. There are also some really cool trails to take which leaves you a feeling of being in a forest.
There are paddles boats that can be used which you don't you have wait too long to wait for
This park is beautiful - families everywhere, children laughing and playing, frisbees thrown around... until you wander to the sketchy side. Beware the sketchy side of Prospect Park, where those who have gone have returned empty pocketed...
But on a brighter note, this park really does hit the spot after a long week in the city. The meadow is huge and there's plenty of room to go around for frisbee, soccer, and football players alike. Plus it's an easy subway ride from city (easier than you think). Just take the 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza or the 4/5 and transfer over to 2/3 at Borough Hall or Nevins Street
A great park! So many distinct sections, but none as showboaty as the attractions in Central Park. It's more sedate than CP, and some parts in the middle are so hilly and treeish you could believe you are in a forest rather than the middle of Brooklyn.
There have been some high-profile crimes over the last 10 years or so, many against gays, so be alert & don't do anything dumb like going off alone.
Find the paddleboats, that's a lot of fun.
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I've been to most parts of the park since i moved to Brooklyn.
This park was designed by Olmstead and he said he liked it better than Central Park.
This is a great place to hang out no matter what you want to do (picnic, go to a playground, feed ducks, walk your dog, play soccer etc).
I'd give it 5 stars except there are throngs of crazy ass bicyclists who think they are in the tour de france and don't follow the traffic rules so when you're crossing you have to dodge getting hit by flying lycra.
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i once walked around here one time with a friend during my birthday, and it was a sunday! people, mostly families were roaming around, playing around, enjoying themselves here that sunny day! i also remember seeing an albino squirrel, that was posing nonchalant before us gawkers who were trying to take its picture.
i'm glad they have a big park like this one found in brooklyn---must have been here at least 20 times from or on my way to one of my previous part time jobs. i didn't even know at the start how this park is called, then; i just thought it looks very enticing.
i even would come here by myself on weekdays. i must have gotten inspired one time, that i even made a short-short video on the photos i took of a bird that was taking a bath that time.
Prospect Park kicks Central Park's ass, Brooklyn style. It's clean, has tons and tons of space, and is fairly quiet. I love the fact that I don't have to wrangle other people's children whenever I go here. Best of all, I can hear all of their outdoor concerts from my apartment, so I don't have to pay for any shows. Huzzah for the park!
In a word: amazing.
Grand Army Plaza entrance: pretty sweet.
Bike loop: less crowded than Central Park, and with more interesting scenery along the way.
Drummer's grove: djembes, congas, bongos, one hippie chick stomping arrhythmically, and a row of rastas totally zoned out in the bushes. definitely worth a few minutes' pause.
The big field: enormous and enticingly recreational.
Recommendation: Next sunny day, take a friend - or just go, and make a friend. As far as I'm aware, your warm-weather life can't be better spent anywhere else this close to the Manhattan.
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I've made so many memories in this park..From family BBQs to school trips to dates to my first swim in the pond (More like my first near drowning! I was called Swamp Girl for sum time after..Thanks Dad!)
Plenty of large grassy areas, grills and picnic benches throughout..A great park for any occasion :-D
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When I was just a little guy, my family lived less than a block from Prospect Park. If you don't know, it's that enormous, beautiful oasis in the middle of Brooklyn.
My earliest memories are of summer days spent there, and looking back, every single one of them was sunny. Even after we moved out of the Slope, we still came back annually for Father's Day picnics with our best friends. As a result, the park is inextricably linked to my conceptions of both summer and family.
To me, the park means massive, juicy burgers and slightly burnt hot dogs, fantastic roast pork, vats of potato and macaroni salad, and tremendous bowls of fried rice.
The park reminds me of playing pick-up soccer and football until it's too dark to see; of tossing a frisbee, flying a kite, and of family baseball games.
It awakens memories of lying on the grass, falling asleep in the sun, and playing with dogs - both those you know and those you don't.
Now that I'm older, there's a little less running around, and a little* more beer-drinking. Now I'm the one carrying the coolers instead of running beside them. But the feeling hasn't changed.
I have nothing but love for Prospect Park; it's my happy place.
Spend some time here, and I guarantee that soon you'll feel the same way I do (there is ALWAYS something going on: http://www.prospectpar...).
*OK, a lot.
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Horses, dogs and chipmunks oh my! And an albino squirrel too!
The first time I saw a chipmunk (other than the cartoon kind named Alvin, Simon and Theodore) was at Prospect Park. I go to the dog beach to hang out with other people's pets. Is that weird? I saw a step club (step team?) practicing at a gazebo. It was awesome. Some guy on a bench asked me to borrow a pen once. I had a cheap one in my bag so I gave it to him and walked on. Did he expect me to wait for him while he finished his Sudoku? There were two young women on Huffy's with baskets on the front. I coveted those bikes. I like the CT Muffin on the SW corner. I took a really cool picture of a flower. It's my desktop picture. All in all, good times.
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Review #1 in my process of reviewing all of the places I already reviewed before I deleted my old account. *sigh*
The idea of reviewing trees, hills, sky, ponds, and grass is slightly silly to me. Yes, they keep it up nice, the design is nice. Good on them. But what is great about Prospect Park is that it exists. It catches the seasons beautifully. Damp skin sticking to the grass in the summer. Teenagers making out leaning on their backpacks in the spring. Those damn picturesque winter snowscapes that make a native Californian feel like at least some of what they show in movies about real winter is true. I feel it is unnecessary to reiterate the beauty of New York in the autumn. Done to death.
Whenever the weather is okay and I need somewhere to go where I can brood in public (sometimes I gotta brood in public) I take something to read and ignore the words on the page. It all gets clearer.
Also, dude that designed Central Park and Prospect Park preferred the latter. Suck it Manhattan.
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I took advantage of Prospect Park when we had that awesome hot weather in April. I'm not sure you will find a better place in all of New York City that's better than this for biking, running, picnicing, or any other outdoors activity.
I'm a real big fan of the fact that it's closed off to auto traffic most of the time. Being able to bike for hours without worry about being run off the road is great. I hope to make many more trips there!!
I love Prospect Park and I love the surrounding area (Windsor Terrace) as well!
A great place to visit and take a nature walk. Across from the Pavilion Theatre every Wednesday they have an outdoor markets selling fruit, apple cider, pies, and veggies!
Check it out!
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I love prospect park!!! Especially thier Bandshell. I have been to two shows so far this summer and both were spectacular. I went to both the Goran Bregovic show and The Kronos Quartet Show. You really cannot go wrong with a free show( $3 suggested donation). They also have Two Boots pizza there serving up food and the events are sponsered by budlight too!!! The park and bandshell are both really clean and nice. I will be back for more summer stage shows. Thanks Celebrate Brooklyn!!
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I've always loved Prospect Park, but now that I have a baby doggy, I need to move nearby so he can hang at DOG BEACH.
Holy crap, I love love love dogs and dog beach.
I love running the outerloop and trekking thru the ravine.
Beautiful park without the tourists. I can't tell you how much better Prospect Park is when compared to Central Park.
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I
ADORE
PROSPECT
PARK.
End of story.
Ok, not the end of the story.
I can run from my apartment, to the park, all the way around the loop, and home again and it's exactly 6 miles! It makes me feel good. I love to see all the people taking advantage of the park's awesomeness. I love that there are always cross-country teams (my team included... gooo Prospect Park Cross Country!) and soccer teams and cycling teams always practicing. There are always kids in the playgrounds. There are always mothers walking the loop with their strollers. I love that *most* of the time, cars are not allowed to drive in the park (should be that way all the time if you ask me!). I love that it's not tourist ridden like Central Park is, and that the grassy areas aren't all fenced off like CP. Though I do love CP! Just not like PP.
Hearts.
Love.
Prospect Park.
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A beautiful park in the Middle of Brooklyn - it is huge. It also has some sketchy areas - and I would NEVER walk thru it after dark. The homeless factor is pretty high.
Also, too much litter. I wish people would pick up after themselves.
Great events in the Summer.
Brooklyn's oasis. I came here for a picnic for one of my Meetups. There are very limited pinic tables at the south end of this park. Grilling is permitted. There is also a lack of benches where patrons can rest.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/9/2008
The grounds are uneven when laying down. There are branch roots embeded in the ground which makes… Read more »
its a great place to go alone.
its a great place to go in groups, or with your doggy.
i love my neighborhood :)
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walked in from the entrance near the brooklyn public library.
the circular avenue designs reminded me of a european setting.
came across several big grass fields where people could set up a BBQ, lounge around the field, set their children roaming free, and interact with a little bit of nature.
came about the lake and through one of the nature walks along the waters, there were a couple of cute sitting benches.
a great date for those that dare venture out in the wide open clear-skied parks during day-time with minimum make-up and possible sweat spots.
came out in a completely different neighborhood in brooklyn, very cool nevertheless.
come for a stroll, relax from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
bring a book, a loved one, maybe some snacks.
it will make the week, or even month!
will i revisit? definitely.
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Designated BBQ areas suck. It was way too packed very early in the morning on memorial day. Need to allow more space for expanded BBQ usage.
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1 Previous Review:
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10/7/2008
Saw Dylan play at he band shell this past summer 08. Felt like it was my backyard.
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