BROOKLYN, NY— City officials approved a preliminary design for an $11 million skate park in Mount Prospect Park, advancing a project that has drawn sharp opposition from community groups and support from skate advocates and local officials.
The Public Design Commission voted to approve the plan with conditions, including answering questions of environmental concerns.
The proposal calls for a roughly 20,000-square-foot skate facility within the park’s central oval, a 97,000-square-foot space currently used as open greenspace.
City officials said the project would expand recreation options and address a lack of skate facilities in the area.
“This project will ensure that Mount Prospect Park is one for the entire community,” said Andrew Wright, speaking on behalf of city council member Crystal Hudson. “One for young people who are learning how to skate, one for folks who want to walk their dogs.”
Opponents described the plan as a fundamental change to the park’s character.
“The project would fundamentally change the park and displace the community that relies upon it every day,” Elizabeth Rawson, a Prospect Heights, said.
The design limits impact on trees and includes new plantings, stormwater infrastructure and restored sections of worn lawn, according to city officials.
Project designers testified that the space would serve a range of users, from beginners to advanced skaters, and fill a gap in the city’s skate park network.
“This skate garden will fill a gap for that recreational sport,” a project representative told commissioners.
Still, residents and advocacy groups questioned both the site selection and the process behind it.
“This design destroys the heart and integrity of the park,” Hayley Gorenberg, president of Friends of Mount Prospect Park, said, who cited petitions and opposition from community organizations.
Several speakers raised environmental concerns, pointing to the loss of permeable green space and potential heat impacts.
“Situating a project of nearly 20,000 square feet of hardscape over what is currently green space is not esthetically or environmentally sound,” Lisa Curtis, a local resident, said.
Others emphasized safety, citing the park’s slopes, nearby traffic and existing uses by children, older adults and dog owners.
Supporters countered that skate parks can serve broad communities and foster social connections.
“A well-designed skate park builds an unrivaled community of skaters in terms of ages six to 60,” Ian Clark, of the New York City Skateboard Coalition, said. “This project delivers a clear community benefit.”
Opponents have also called for an investigation into the project’s funding and compliance with city law, including provisions governing private sponsorship of parkland.
Community Board 9 passed a resolution opposing the plan and supporting further review.
The decision allows the project to move forward in the design process, with further reviews expected before construction can begin.