Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Opened in 1993, the zoo is a wonderful spot to spend a couple of hours. Nestled in Prospect Park, you can meet wallabies and prarie dogs. While it cannot compete with the Bronx Zoo, it is a nice way to spend the afternoon.

October 30 - April 1, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
April 1 - October 31, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekday
10:00am - 5:30pm weekend and holidays

Adults: $6.00 Children (3-12): $2.00 Seniors (65+): $2.25

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The park is quite beautiful and was my backyard while growing up in Brooklyn. We would spend hours on end walking the beautiful expanse of this park. Our apartment (located on 12th & 9th) was just a ½ block from the park. During the winters we would go sledding down the large slopes of the park and in the summer Mom would string a hammock as we enjoyed a wonderful picnic. Thinking of this park today brings back some really fun memories.

The park was designed by Olmstead and Vaux, the same designers of Central Park and you will find that the two parks have some similarities.

General Grounds Closed from 1am-5pm daily

This park I find to be more inviting than Central Park. Quite large ( 526 Acres) and not nearly as many people as CP. The landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux of Central Park fame made this one as well. Definately check out the boat house and chill in one of many open landscapes.

Prospect Park (for which Park Slope is named) was designed by Olmsted and Vaux, the same men who designed Central Park. While Central Park is more well-known, Olmsted and Vaux considered Prospect Park their best work. Prospect Park is over 500 acres and was designed in 1860. There is an ice skating rink in the winter and pedal boats for rent in the summer. Prospect Park also features a carousel, historical Lefferts Homestead, and horse stables where horses can be rented. There are great fields for playing frisbee, baseball diamonds, bicycle and roller balding lanes (and it doesn't get as crowded as Central Park). Prospect Park is also one of the few (if not the only?) park in New York City where you can actually have a BBQ (look for the designated areas).

Prospect Park -
Olmstead & Vaux's master achievement in Brooklyn
Lychfield Mansion: There may be tours, but just walk around. Notice the corn in the column capitals. :: Tennis House: Often open only in the late afternoon and evening. :: Boat House: Newly restored, impeccable architecture. :: Bridges: fantastic stone bridges over equestrian trails, pedesrians, streams and traffic. :: Ornamental Pavillian: A huge roof balanced on 2 little pencils. :: The Vail of Cashmere: The name is enough

If I am not mistaken, same architect as Central
Park.

A bit hilly

Great for sunbathing, rollerblading, strolling,
jogging,....

and of course the free concerts and
benefits for the all summer
'Celebrate Brooklyn' music festival...

Same designers as Central Park! Come take a stroll. Bring a football. Enjoy the calm of the babbling brook.