NYC DOT, Prospect Park Alliance Break Ground on Transformative Upgrades to Park’s East Side Perimeter

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2026
Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]

NYC DOT, Prospect Park Alliance Break Ground on Transformative Upgrades to Park's East Side Perimeter

Project will transform east side of Prospect Park along Ocean and Parkside avenues with expanded pedestrian space and protected bike lanes

A redesigned entrance will feature new pedestrian plaza and new monument to Brooklyn Trailblazer Shirley Chisholm

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn, Prospect Park Alliance President and NYC Parks Administrator Morgan Monaco today broke ground on a transformative project to restore and upgrade the Prospect Park perimeter along Ocean and Parkside Avenues, from Empire Boulevard to Parade Place. This $15.5 million project, overseen by the Alliance, the nonprofit that operates the park in partnership with the city, will add a sidewalk-grade, two-way protected bike lane along the Ocean Avenue park perimeter, and completely redesign the entrance to Prospect Park at Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue, creating a new pedestrian plaza featuring a monument to Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm. This project extends the improvements to the park's eastern perimeter begun in 2020 with the restoration of the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, which created two new entrances to the park, the first since the 1940s.

"Having safe access to Prospect Park is a priority for everyone who calls Brooklyn home. Families from across the city walk and bike to Brooklyn's backyard, and with so much foot traffic, the park's adjacent streets must be calm and focused on people," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "Since we've removed private vehicles from Prospect Park in 2018, the results have been transformative-and allow us to deliver a brand-new pedestrian-friendly entrance at Ocean and Parkside with a new monument honoring Brooklyn's own Shirley Chisholm."

"Across the five boroughs, our public parks and greenways form a vital living infrastructure network, helping New Yorkers connect with nature and travel safely throughout the city. This project is an example of how investing in our parks makes our city healthier, more welcoming, and more accessible," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "I'm grateful to our partners at NYC DOT, DCLA, and the Prospect Park Alliance for their collaboration as we work to improve 'Brooklyn's Backyard' for all New Yorkers."

"Given the success of our restoration of the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, we are thrilled to be partnering with the NYC DOT on the restoration of the Ocean Avenue perimeter, including the new protected bike lane, as well as with the DCLA to bring this landmark monument to Shirley Chisholm to our Parkside entrance," said Morgan Monaco, Prospect Park Alliance president and NYC Parks administrator.

NEW PLAZA AND PUBLIC ART

The redesigned entrance of Prospect Park at Ocean and Parkside avenues. Credit: Prospect Park Alliance

The perimeter restoration will establish a new plaza at the entrance of Prospect Park at Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue, and new bike connections between the two streets and the Park Drive. The redesigned space will formally close the park entrance to motorized vehicle traffic-reflecting that non-essential vehicles were banned from the park in 2018-allowing for the creation of the new plaza. As part of the next phase of the project, the city will install a new public artwork in the space, a monument honoring Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born daughter of immigrant parents from Barbados and Guyana, who became the first African American woman to serve in Congress as well as run for U.S. President.

The Alliance will also be transforming a disused building near the entrance into the Shirley Chisholm Pavilion, which will feature restrooms and exhibit panels, and is funded through the New York City Council and Assembly Member Brian Cunningham. This project is currently in the design phase, and is slated for construction in 2027.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR CYCLING, SIDEWALKS, SEATING, AND MORE

The current and future design for Ocean Avenue, from Parkside Avenue to Empire Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue. Credit: Prospect Park Alliance

The project will also restore the park perimeter from Empire Boulevard to Parade Place, and includes the installation of a two-way, sidewalk-grade protected bike lane along the park side of Ocean Avenue, where there is currently no cycling infrastructure. The lane will provide a critical link to the parking-protected bike lanes already in place along Flatbush and Parkside avenues and will connect to the Prospect Park Drive, a popular recreational destination. The perimeter restoration will feature reconstructed sidewalks bordered by an allée of trees, and new historic lighting, seating, and trash cans. Future improvements along Parkside Avenue will take place in the near future through $1 million in funding from Council Member Rita Joseph, who also allocated funding for the restoration of a pergola at the entrance.

The phasing plan for reconstructing Ocean Avenue and the Prospect Park entrance at Ocean and Parkside avenues. Credit: Prospect Park Alliance

The project includes $8.2 million in funding from NYC DOT, $1.25 million from the Department of Cultural Affairs, and $1 million from NYC Parks. The Brooklyn Borough President's office has contributed $3.5 million, and City Council District 40 has contributed $1.6 million.

The project will take about 18 months to complete. Prospect Park Alliance will implement the restoration in six, 800-foot phases, beginning at the Empire Boulevard terminus at Ocean Avenue and also in tandem at Parkside Avenue, with the pedestrian plaza at the Parkside Avenue entrance and new monument as the final phase. Learn more at prospectpark.org/ocean-parkside.

"Upgrading the entrance to Prospect Park at Ocean and Parkside Avenues is an investment for Brooklyn communities," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "Prospect Park is our backyard, and every Brooklynite deserves to access it safely and with pride. Honoring Shirley Chisholm at this gateway is a powerful reminder of the legacy rooted right here in our borough. Thank you to the Mayor's Office, NYC Parks, NYC DOT, and the Prospect Park Alliance for working with the community and making sure this vision reflects the people it serves."

"This groundbreaking marks a powerful investment in the future of our city. I am proud to have invested $1.6 million to help transform the perimeter of Prospect Park into a safer, more accessible space for pedestrians, cyclists, and families. Investing in infrastructure, especially around our parks, is an investment in public health, safety, and the well-being of our communities," said Council Member Rita Joseph. "This project not only enhances connectivity and equity along Ocean and Parkside Avenues, but also honors the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn trailblazer whose impact continues to inspire us all. This is what it looks like when we build a city that prioritizes people, celebrates history, and creates spaces where everyone belongs."