The park's designers considered Prospect Park their 'masterpiece,' preferring its naturalistic design over that of Central Park.
The park contains the last remaining indigenous forest in Brooklyn, located in the Ravine section.
The 1912 carousel features 53 hand-carved horses and was relocated to the park from Coney Island.
The Vale of Cashmere was originally designed as a secluded, formal garden and remains a distinct, wooded micro-climate within the park.
The park’s watercourse underwent a massive restoration completed in 2015 to restore the original 19th-century hydraulic design.
The Lefferts Historic House is an 18th-century farmhouse moved to the park from its original site in Flatbush.
The park hosts one of the largest public fireworks displays in Brooklyn every New Year's Eve at Grand Army Plaza.
The park's topography is man-made, featuring hills and valleys created to conceal the city surroundings from within the park.
Prospect Park is a 585-acre urban park in Brooklyn designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same architects responsible for Central Park. It features the Lefferts Historic House, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Audubon Center, which serves as the park’s primary environmental education facility. The park contains Brooklyn's only forest and its only lake, spanning 60 acres. The Long Meadow is one of the largest continuous meadow areas in any urban park in the United States. Its watercourse system is a series of interconnected ponds and waterfalls fed by a recirculating pump. The park serves as a hub for recreational activities, including a carousel, athletic fields, and miles of pathways for cycling and jogging. It is currently open to the public as a registered landmark and protected city space.
The view from the Boathouse overlooking the Lullwater bridge and the lake.
Enter at Grand Army Plaza for access to the park's most iconic architectural features and the main library nearby.
Bring a blanket for the Long Meadow, as it is the primary designated area for picnicking and lounging.
Check the park website before visiting to see if specific areas are reserved for local sports leagues or large-scale events.
Do not attempt to walk the entire perimeter in one visit as it spans over three miles; stick to specific sections like the Ravine or the Lake.
Some facilities, such as the Lefferts Historic House and the carousel, operate on seasonal or weekend-only schedules.
Cyclists must adhere to the one-way traffic pattern on the Park Drive loop; pets must remain leashed in designated areas.
