Checking in at just over 500 acres, Prospect Park is the second-largest public park in Brooklyn, and one of the most famous green spaces in all of New York City. In Prospect Park you’ll encounter hiking trails, bike paths, athletic fields, historic structures, and playgrounds—just to name a few amenities found here. Prospect Park is also home to a popular zoo and carousel, and the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are located nearby, too.
Prospect Park History
The Prospect Park we all know and love today has a long and rich history. The idea for a major public park in the heart of Brooklyn dates to 1859, but didn’t really gain too much traction until near the end of the Civil War, when legendary landscape architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted—the visionaries behind other beloved New York City parks like Central Park and Union Square—took control of the project. Vaux and Olmsted worked on Prospect Park until 1873, at which point the site was largely finished and their careers took them elsewhere.
A lot of time has passed since then, and Prospect Park has undergone many different changes, alterations, renovations, and reimaginings. Through it all, though, Prospect Park has remained a favorite outdoor destination for locals and visitors alike.
What’s at Prospect Park
As one of New York City’s major public parks, Prospect Park has a little bit of something for everyone, including all the major outdoor amenities you would expect from a world-class green space. Numbered among these amenities are a tennis center, athletic fields, an ice rink, bandshell, and the first-ever “urban area” Audubon Center, a tremendous facility offering free nature programming to the public.
Prospect Park Zoo is one of the major attractions found here. Located just off Flatbush Avenue, this 12-acre zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including favorites like sea lions, dingoes, North American river otters, marmosets, and many, many more. You can also view a sea lion training session and watch a live animal feeding, just to name a couple bonus experiences available at the Prospect Park Zoo.
Situated close to the Prospect Park Zoo is the Prospect Park Children’s Corner. The headliner of this especially kid-friendly zone would have to be the vintage Carousel, which consistently ranks as one of the most popular spots in the entire park. The Carousel dates all the way back to 1912, and has been lovingly restored and improved in recent years.
No trip to Prospect Park would be complete without hiking some of its many trails. You’ll want to make certain to keep an eye out for the gorgeous watercourse that passes through much of the park. Designed by Olmsted and Vaux, its man-made flourishes accentuate the beauty of Prospect Park’s Ravine—a nearly 150-acre stretch of forest in the middle of the park that represents Brooklyn’s primary remaining forest.
Two of Brooklyn’s most notable attractions can be found at the northern edge of Prospect Park. The Brooklyn Museum contains over 1.5 million pieces of art, and in addition to its well-regarded permanent collection, regularly stages acclaimed temporary exhibits. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a must for all plant lovers. It maintains a diverse array of trees, flowers, and other unique fauna in a beautiful, 50-acre setting.
Tips for Visiting Prospect Park
- Prospect Park is open to the public every day between the hours of 6:00am and 1:00am, but please keep in mind that the hours of operations for the eclectic assortment of attractions found within the park can vary wildly. You’ll want to look into the specifics of each particular attraction you want to visit ahead of your trip.
- There are a bunch of dining options scattered all throughout Prospect Park, so you’ll have no shortage of choices if you’re feeling hungry during your visit. However, something to keep in mind as you plan your outing: every Sunday, April through October, Prospect Park throws its beloved Smorgasburg food festival. Dubbed the “Woodstock of Eating,” Smorgasburg hosts local food vendors from across the area who specialize in a wide range of cuisines.
- There are no cars allowed in Prospect Park, making parking (as is often the case in New York City) a somewhat-tricky proposition. When in doubt, grab a cab or take public transportation.
- There’s always something new and special happening at Prospect Park. Be certain to explore their events calendar as you plan your excursion. Whether it’s a guided nature walk, a free yoga class, or a kids camp, you never quite know what might be going down the day you’re hoping to visit.
