Prospect Park Ball Fields 6 And 7 Reopen

PROSPECT PARK – On Friday, September 22, Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue and Council Member Brad Lander hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially reopen two newly restored ballfields on Prospect Park’s Long Meadow.

The Long Meadow ballfields closed in 2014 for the revitalization project. The New York City Council and Council Member Lander funded Prospect Park Alliance’s $2.4 million restoration of two of the Park’s seven ballfields—Fields 6 and 7.

The project includes improvements to the infields and the addition of new backstops, dugouts, equipment, and furnishings. New trees were added to the area and the landscape around the ballfields was refurbished for optimal game viewing. Instead of bleachers, the Alliance decided to add a high, grassy berm behind the ballfields for a natural space to view games, picnic, or lounge.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the return of Fields 6 and 7, and I’m proud to continue to support the restoration of the ball fields,” Lander said. “Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard and alongside Prospect Park Alliance, I’m happy to work to restore an important community space. I look forward to watching many new little league and baseball games at the Long Meadow.”

The restoration is part of a larger initiative to restore all 34 acres of the Park, including all seven ballfields, the drainage system, and paths and woodlands. The restoration of Ball Field 1 was completed in 2016 and Fields 4 and 5 are currently in the design phase. The project also included the restoration of Dog Beach, which reopened near the Long Meadow in October 2016.

“We are so grateful for the support of our local elected officials so that we can improve the Park for the millions of community members who consider it Brooklyn’s backyard,” Donoghue said.