Scenes From President Obama’s Visit To Prospect Park

Scenes From President Obama’s Visit To Prospect Park
obama visits prospect park by Tom Prendergast

President Obama’s visit to Brooklyn was initially expected to close all of Prospect Park, until a park spokesperson clarified yesterday that only certain areas would be closed (just not specifying which ones). Obama is flying into the park to visit P-TECH today near the Crown Heights/Bedford Stuyvesant border, as CBS reports.

obama visits prospect park by Tom Prendergast

“They strung blue tape around the landing area and had a few rather chilly officers stationed inside the taped off area,” says reader Tom Prendergast, who sent us photos around 10:30am. “I’m sure there’ll be a larger presence as the morning goes on.”

obama visits prospect park by Tom Prendergast

Stopping by around 1:15pm, we noticed a ton of police activity–lots of police cruisers and traffic enforcement entering the park, and some just circling in front of the Grand Army Plaza entrance, which was still open.

prospect park closed for obama

By closer to 2pm, when we heard President Obama would be landing, about 200 people were waiting. An older couple standing next to us begins arguing about coming unprepared.

“She dragged me here,” the man says, pointing to his wife.

“Should have brought our camera,” she says.

“Camera?! You didn’t even let me go to the bathroom!”

obama police
presdient obama prospect park line

Police came to guard the line at about five to 2pm, still leaving the road open to joggers and bikers. An officer says it will only close fully for a short while while the motorcade drives through.

obama motorcade

There are rumors running through bystanders of drones over head, and undercover Secret Service members in the crowd.

police horses in prospect park
officer rodriguez in prospect park

Familiar faces were on hand, including Inspector Eric Rodriguez, Commanding Officer of the 70th Precinct.

helicopter over prospect park

Around 2:45pm, a helicopter (though not the marine ones Tom saw doing a test run the other day) hovers over the park.

president obama's helicopter over coney island avenue
president obama's helicopter over coney island avenue
president obama's helicopter over coney island avenue
president obama's helicopter over coney island avenue

Around 2:50pm, President Obama’s helicopters fly down over Coney Island Avenue…

obama's helicopter lands in prospect park

… land in Prospect Park…

obama and team get off helicopter

And are unloaded.

obama's car in prospect park

And finally, Obama waves to one adoring crowd.

obama lovers

Nice seeing you, Barry. Maybe stop into one of our local schools next year!

obama's car in prospect park