Prospect Park
"Prospect Park is Brooklyn's 526-acre masterpiece, designed by Olmsted and Vaux (the same designers as Central Park). They considered this their 'better' park because they weren't constrained by Manhattan's rectangular grid. It features the Long Meadow (90 acres of unbroken green space), a lake, forests, and the Prospect Park Bandshell. It's less manicured and more naturalistic than Central Park."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Relaxed, green
Duration
2-3 hours
Best For
Picnics
The Backstory
Completed in 1873, Prospect Park was designed after Central Park and incorporated lessons learned. The Long Meadow is the longest unbroken meadow in any American park. The park nearly fell into ruin in the 1970s-80s but was restored in the 1990s-2000s by local activists and funding.
Local Secret
"The Long Meadow is perfect for picnics and frisbee—locals claim it's superior to Central Park's Sheep Meadow. The Prospect Park Bandshell hosts free summer concerts. The lake is stocked for fishing. Smorgasburg (food market) sets up here on Sundays in summer. Less crowded than Central Park—this is where Brooklynites actually hang out."