If not there, where?
Instead of using over $11M of public money for construction that would pave over tens of thousands of square feet of beloved, historic green parkland, thousands of park-lovers, Community Board 9, and an array of environmental health and green space, historic, neighborhood and climate-conscious skater organizations urge officials to invest in the quality urban planning New Yorkers deserve. They can resolve this unnecessary conflict and add vital green space in Brooklyn — including by improving and “greening” already-paved space.
Below are just a few examples. (Note: Officials initially told the public they did a Feasibility Study showing Mount Prospect Park was the ideal place for concrete construction. Turns out that actually was not the case!)
Thomas Greene Skatepark
Background
Large Parks Department site
Current skate facilities old and minimal. Over a decade ago deemed an “interim setup” due to scanty funding — but skate Improvements didn’t happen.
More extensive transit access than Mount Prospect Park
3 subway stops from Mount Prospect Park
Close to many schools
Located in District 39, the district that originally voted funding through that district’s 2021 participatory budgeting — now being diverted to help build the project in Mount Prospect Park…but in District 35
Background
The only other Brooklyn site in Mayor Eric Adams’ four-site initiative — just 3 subway stops from Mount Prospect Park
Already paved, quite rundown — but receiving just a fraction of the public funding slated for the construction in Mount Prospect Park
Brower Skatepark
Brooklyn Museum of Art parking lot
Background
Just a few yards from Mount Prospect Park!
The parking lot is another vast expanse of nearby blacktop.
Background
Tens of thousands of square feet of paved space
Already used by local skaters, despite lack of features
Another Parks Dep’t site in District 39, the district that originally voted funding through that district’s 2021 participatory budgeting — now being diverted to construction in Mount Prospect Park…in District 35
Kensington
Columbus Park Plaza
Background
Area favored by skateboarders
Redesign requested/suggested by the community
Parks Department property being used as … a parking lot
Plentiful public transit, including multiple lines to Borough Hall subway station
Paved Crescent at Grand Army Plaza
Background
Virtually unused paved area, steps from Mount Prospect Park
Professional skate designer confirms it would work well — and safely — as a modern, linear-style skatepark
Suggested several times in writing and in person to DOT and other officials — no response/dismissed
What about…
Green?
Safe?
Equitable?
The NYC Parks Department in summer 2024 announced a “Vital Parks” initiative, purporting to advance park spaces that are green, safe and equitable.
Brooklyn has more than 40% of the City’s skateboarding sites, mostly clustered around Mount Prospect Park. People love cool/shady under-bridge sites, and call them “iconic.” Many other neglected sites in Brooklyn are blacktop expanses adjacent to playgrounds. Invest in them, and green them up! Brooklyn has the least green space and worst tree canopy of any borough.
Pouring concrete over the free flexible lawn betrays core values. It’s environmentally damaging and unfair to Brooklynites — for green space access, for protecting our mature shade trees, and for fair access to skateboarding.
The City’s own map confirms how unfair the the distribution of skate parks in Brooklyn is:
