Governor Hochul Announces $4 Million to Restore Prospect Park Lake

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $4 million to support the restoration of Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn. This additional state funding will provide safe, ADA access to residents and park visitors, improve water quality and resilience from flooding and major storms, and provide a haven for wildlife. The total cost of the restoration is $25 million, including funding from New York State.

"Prospect Park is a natural wonderland in the heart of Brooklyn and I am proud to support its continued restoration," Governor Hochul said. "By restoring the shoreline of Prospect Park Lake, we are improving its water quality and natural resiliency, securing safe access to the lake for residents and visitors alike and providing a refuge for local wildlife. I know the importance of clean, safe and accessible parks and natural gathering spaces for communities across the state and Prospect Park is a jewel that everyone will enjoy for generations to come."

Prospect Park Lake is home to Brooklyn's only freshwater lake and a wide range of fish, amphibians and birds. The lake sits inside Prospect Park, a 526 acre premiere preserve famous for its intricate manmade watercourse (wetlands) and its trees. The bulk of Brooklyn's remaining indigenous forest, the park is a highly functional green space. Contained within its borders are a zoo, the first urban-area Audubon Center in the nation, a skating rink, a bandshell, a carousel and dozens of athletic and recreational facilities.

This project will complete the final phases of the Lakeshore Restoration Master Plan in Prospect Park, and aims to mitigate stormwater issues that have negatively impacted surrounding communities during major storm events. It will address that degradation by reducing roadway pavement parallel to the Lake at Wellhouse Drive and capturing runoff from the surrounding hills. Additionally, the project includes reconstructing the bridle trail with new stormwater management infrastructure, replacing extensive asphalt with rain gardens that reflect the park's original horticultural design and installing new site furniture for the public. Dark-sky friendly light poles will be developed as a part of this design.

DASNY President and CEO Robert J Rodriguez said, "DASNY is proud to administer this critical investment in the restoration of Prospect Park Lake, one of Brooklyn's most treasured public spaces. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to strengthening communities through investments that improve accessibility, environmental resiliency and the quality of life for New Yorkers."

State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, "Prospect Park is Brooklyn's backyard, and I'm proud we are investing in urgently needed improvements. This funding will ensure that future generations of New Yorkers will continue to enjoy Prospect Park's natural beauty, and that the Lake will be accessible, clean and safe."

Assemblymember Robert Carroll said, "A huge thanks to Governor Hochul for this critical $4 million investment to restore Prospect Park Lake. As climate change drives increasingly severe storms and unpredictable weather across New York City, our green spaces must serve as our first line of defense. This vital funding will transform Prospect Park Lake into a resilient hub for nature-based stormwater management - protecting surrounding Brooklyn communities from devastating flash flooding while preserving our natural ecosystems. Furthermore, by creating new, ADA-accessible pathways and bridges, this project ensures that Brooklyn's premier park remains a safe, equitable and resilient sanctuary for the millions of New Yorkers who visit every year."

Assemblymember Brian A. Cunningham said, "Prospect Park Lake is a place where Brooklyn families can connect with nature close to home. This investment will make the lake more accessible, improve its water quality and help protect it from flooding and severe storms. I thank Governor Hochul for supporting a restoration that will serve residents and wildlife for years to come."

Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco said, "We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for providing the funding to help us fully realize our Lakeshore restoration. Prospect Park's 60-acre lake, Brooklyn's only lake, is not just an important scenic and recreational amenity for our community, but also plays a critical role in environmental resiliency. This restoration will make the park more resilient to the more frequent, severe storms we have experienced due to climate change."

The park improvements complement Governor Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign, which encourages New York's kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings and put their mental and physical health first. Learn more at https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/get-offline-get-outside.