Prospect Park is a large public park in Brooklyn, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the landscape architects behind Central Park. Its open meadows, lake, wooded Ravine and winding paths make room for both a quiet walk and a longer run or bike ride. Look for the Boathouse beside Lullwater Lake, follow the creek and waterfalls through the Ravine, or settle on the grass for a picnic. The park changes with the seasons, from autumn foliage to snowy paths, and local markets and events add reasons to visit at different times of year.
A Brooklyn park by Olmsted and Vaux
Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who designed Central Park, also planned Prospect Park. The park took shape in the 1860s, with its formal northern entrance at Grand Army Plaza and a landscape that moves between broad lawns, water and woodland. Its paths and hills create a more varied walk than a single loop around the open fields.
Prospect Park sits among Brooklyn neighborhoods including Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. You can enter from several sides and choose a short stroll or a longer circuit. One route around the park’s interior is about 3.35 miles; another perimeter route is listed as 3.68 miles, so check a park map before setting out if distance matters.
The Ravine, lake and open meadows
The Ravine is a wooded section between Long Meadow and Nethermead, designed with the Adirondack landscape in mind. Trails pass through a small gorge, beneath tunnels and alongside a creek that feeds waterfalls. It provides a striking change of scenery from the open lawns. Bring a map or use one at an entrance to locate the Ravine and plan a route through it.
At Lullwater Lake, the Boathouse and the nearby Peristyle are among the park’s notable architectural sights. The Boathouse dates to 1905 and was built in the Beaux-Arts style. Paths around the lake and wetlands give you a chance to watch birds, while Long Meadow and Nethermead provide broad stretches of grass for picnics, sports and time outdoors. Look for the Vale of Cashmere near the Grand Army Plaza entrance, where circular clearings and fountains sit along a path.
Seasonal walks and activities
The park suits different kinds of visits: walk or cycle the paths, run the hills, fish, picnic or find a quieter place to sit. Its changing landscape is a draw throughout the year. Autumn brings foliage, and snowy weather gives the lake and paths a different look. For a spring outing, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is at the park’s north end.
Park events take place throughout the year, including outdoor concerts in summer. Smorgasburg has also been held in the park on Sundays during the warmer months, though its schedule is seasonal. Check the park’s current event information before planning a visit around a particular event. Playgrounds, sports facilities and picnic areas make the park useful for families and groups as well as solo walks.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long is a walk around Prospect Park?
One route around the park’s interior is about 3.35 miles. A perimeter route is listed as 3.68 miles; use a park map to choose your route.
What can you see in Prospect Park?
Highlights include the wooded Ravine, its creek and waterfalls, Lullwater Lake and the Boathouse, plus open spaces such as Long Meadow and Nethermead.
When is a good time to visit Prospect Park?
Weekdays are suggested for a quieter visit. Autumn is a good time to see fall foliage, while spring is a season to pair the park with the nearby Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Are there events in Prospect Park?
The park hosts events during the year, including summer concerts. Smorgasburg has also taken place there on Sundays in warmer months; check current schedules before you go.
