A New Lake ‘Mess’ Monster For Prospect Park

PROSPECT PARK – Last week the Prospect Park Alliance unveiled the newest addition to its fleet—a new aquatic weed harvester—and they need the public’s help in naming it.

The Prospect Park Alliance’s Natural Resources Crew uses the vehicle to remove aquatic weeds from the lake, including floating water primrose and duckweed. The weed harvester offers an environmentally friendly way to keep the 55-acre Prospect Park Lake clean and healthy.

The $140,000 machine was funded by Council Members Brad Lander (District 39) and Mathieu Eugene (District 40) through the 2016 Participatory Budgeting process. The Council Members joined Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue and members of the Natural Resources Crew at a ribbon-cutting event for the new weed harvester where they took it for an inaugural spin around Prospect Park Lake.

“Prospect Park Alliance’s Natural Resources Crew works tirelessly to maintain the health of the Park’s natural areas, including this 55-acre body of water—Brooklyn’s only Lake,” Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue said in a statement. “Thanks to Council Members Brad Lander and Mathieu Eugene, and everyone who took part in the Participatory Budgeting process, today we get to cut the ribbon on this exciting new piece of machinery that will provide an environmentally sound method for the Alliance to control weeds and improve the water quality of the Prospect Park Lake.”

A former weed harvester, named the Lake “Mess” Monster by the community, was retired after several years of service. The Alliance is now asking for potential names for the new harvester and the public will select their favorite. The winning moniker will be emblazoned on the new machine and the person who entered the name will win a special Prospect Park swag bag.

Go to prospectpark.org to enter a potential name for the harvester. The deadline for entries is Saturday, June 30.

Learn more about the weed harvester and the naming contest at prospectpark.org.