Ground has broken on a $37.5 million restoration of Prospect Park’s Vale. Its history goes back to the mid-1800s.
Rendering courtesy of Prospect Parks Alliance
A long-overlooked corner of Prospect Park is poised for a major transformation.
City officials and community leaders gathered Monday morning to mark the start of construction on the Vale, an eight-acre site in the park’s northeast section that will undergo a $35.5 million restoration. The project — funded by the Mayor’s Office and led by NYC Parks, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Prospect Park Alliance — represents the largest capital investment in the park in more than a decade.
Once completed in 2027, the redesigned Vale is intended to serve as a quiet, nature-focused retreat while accommodating families, children and longtime parkgoers alike. Plans emphasize accessibility, environmental restoration and flexible public space, shaped in part by years of community input.
“Thousands of voices have contributed to the future of this beloved green space, and I am so grateful to the hard-working teams at NYC Parks, EDC, and Prospect Park Alliance for ensuring the Vale continues to carry the histories and hopes of New Yorkers,” Julia Kerson, NYC deputy mayor for operations, said at the groundbreaking. “The new Vale will be more accessible, better maintained, and designed with families in mind.”
A full map of the park’s Vale restoration project, to be completed in 2027.Rendering courtesy of Prospect Parks Alliance
The Vale has shifted identities through its history. Originally designed in the 19th century as a children’s playground, it later became a formal rose garden before falling into disrepair in the late 20th century. Much of the infrastructure, particularly fountains and basins, has sat unused for decades.
This new design reimagines those remnants rather than erasing them.
At the southern end, a pollinator meadow will replace sections of the former rose garden, introducing native plant species meant to support birds, bees and butterflies. A shaded arbor and accessible pathways will create a space for visitors to pause and observe the landscape.
In the center, a nature exploration area will offer a less structured alternative to traditional playgrounds, with logs, boulders and sand features encouraging open-ended play. Designers say the space is meant to appeal across age groups, blending recreation with environmental education.
The lower Vale is the site of Prospect Park’s historic children’s pool, dating back to the mid-1800s.Historical photo and rendering courtesy of Prospect Park Alliance
Toward the north, a newly created picnic lawn and pavilion will provide seating, shade and restrooms — including composting facilities and a green roof designed to blend into the surrounding terrain.
The restoration area also includes the revival of the historic Children’s Pool, where new water circulation systems and plantings will improve both aesthetics and habitat conditions. Bird-friendly features and aquatic vegetation are expected to attract wildlife back to the area.
Beyond its design elements, the project reflects broader priorities around climate resilience and ecological health. Roughly three acres of woodland will be restored, strengthening a pollinator corridor that runs through the park. The effort is supported in part by a state reforestation grant.
City and Prospect Park officials gathered Monday morning to officially break ground on the Vale project.Photo courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila
Community input has also played a central role in shaping the plan. Since 2017, more than 2,000 residents contributed ideas through Prospect Park Alliance meetings and surveys, calling for a space that balances quiet use with accessibility and environmental stewardship.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso described the project as an investment in both public space and neighborhood life.
“Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and the restoration of the Vale will bring new life to a space where generations of Brooklynites have gathered and made memories together,” Reynoso said. “I’m grateful to the Mayor’s Office for investing in this beloved green space, and to NYC Parks, NYCED, and Prospect Park Alliance for partnering with the community and centering Brooklynites’ voices in this new vision for the Vale.”
A historical photo of Prospect Park’s rose garden, taken in 1900.Photo courtesy of Prospect Park Alliance
The Vale is part of a broader series of improvements in Prospect Park’s northeast corner, including restored pathways, new entrances along Flatbush Avenue and the rehabilitation of nearby historic structures.
Construction is now underway, with sections of the area expected to be closed during the process. When it reopens, city officials say the Vale will offer something increasingly rare in NYC: a space designed for stillness.
“Prospect Park Alliance has an award-winning track record of historic restoration and woodland preservation,” Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco said. “This design is reflective of the talent of our team, the deep engagement with our community and the future we hope to steward in Prospect Park.”