Prospect Park Brooklyn
The History of Prospect Park
Prospect Park is a modern touchstone of ingenious landscaping and park design. Opened in 1867, Prospect Park is the brainchild of the architecture team of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Encompassing 585 acres of Brooklyn terrain, the disparate landscape of farmland and woods was transformed by the duo into a seamless scene of the city.
Olmstead and Vaux emphasized the use of natural features while removing obstructions such as swamps and pond-holes. The result is a pastoral playground nestled in the heart of America’s largest city. Today, you will find a constant stream of visitors and entertainment, making it the flagship park in the area.
Events at Prospect Park in Brooklyn
You will encounter no shortage of fun and exciting activities happening every day at Prospect Park. You will find groups watching movies, playing lawn games, and practicing yoga. This diversity makes Prospect Park a slam-dunk for family-friendly entertainment.
One of the most significant park events is Smorgasburg, which returned this year. The colossal food market has 80 vendors serving foods from around the world. The diverse menu includes, but is not limited to, Japanese soufflé pancakes, gourmet Portuguese sandwiches, and Brazilian snack foods.
Prospect Park is also home to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket. Located on the northwestern corner at Prospect Park West and Flatbush Avenue, the market has a massive array of farm-fresh produce and homemade goods. The Greenmarket is a local destination that brings together shoppers, foodies, and families alike.
Upcoming Concerts in Prospect Park
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 6. Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco is performing a benefit concert for the BRIC “Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival.” Fresh off the release of his latest album, Here Comes the Cowboy, you can hear why Pitchfork praised DeMarco for his “… impeccable songwriting, which shines through more than ever with warmth and precision.”
The BRIC will also host NOSAJ Thing, Kimbra, and Bells Atlas on Friday, August 2. If you have ever listened to Kendrick Lamar, Busdriver, or Chance the Rapper, you have already enjoyed the electronic beats of Nosaj Thing. The record producer is known for a sonic flair that combines jazz, hip-hop, glitch, and dubstep.
Similarly, you have heard Kimbra, even if you didn't know it. Her collaboration with Goyte on “Somebody That I Used to Know" was certified platinum and hit number one in 23 countries. Bells Atlas is a futuristic pop band known for colorful and soulful exploration of sound and song.
Take a Walk in the Park
Prospect Park has everything you need for a long day of enjoyment – from movies to markets and concerts to courts. As the second-largest park in Brooklyn, it provides an oasis of green space in a modern metropolis. If that is not enough to get you to want to visit, here’s one more reason.
Remember Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux? They also designed Manhattan's Central Park. While many people consider Central Park the more iconic part of the NY landscape and aesthetic, the duo cited Prospect Park as their superior masterpiece.