Community Corner
Prospect Park Opening Weekend 2017: Full Schedule, Events For 150th Anniversary Celebration
There's a lot going on in our beloved patch of green this weekend.
PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Prospect Park turns 150 years old this year, and park officials have a whole host of things planned for an especially significant opening weekend.
Most events are rain or shine, but Friday's steady drizzle has already gotten one event the ax, an "ice disco" planned for Friday night. An 1860s-style baseball game planned for Saturday may also be in jeopardy.
The good news is that the rain is supposed to stop around Saturday morning and give way to sunny skies on Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Park Slopefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If you're looking to get out and about this weekend, here's a list of what all is going on in Prospect Park this weekend, courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance:
Saturday, April 1
Opening Day Parade, 10–11 a.m.
Find out what's happening in Park Slopefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
7th Avenue + 2nd Street to Long Meadow Ballfields, Free
Join the Alliance and the Prospect Park Baseball Association for a baseball youth league parade to Prospect Park, where a ceremonial first pitch will be thrown to start the season.
Brooklyn Atlantics Exhibition Game, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Long Meadow Ballfields, Free
To celebrate Prospect Park’s 150th Anniversary and the start of the spring baseball season, the Brooklyn Atlantics, a historic baseball team, will play an exhibition game following 1860 rules. Please note this game will be called if the fields are wet, please check back March 31 for game status.
Prospect Park Alliance Opening Day Fair, 11 a.m.–3 pm
Prospect Park, Bartel-Pritchard Entrance, Free
Following the Opening Day Parade, join Prospect Park Alliance and community partners for family-friendly fun and refreshments.
Coffee Bark 150th Celebration, 7–9 a.m.
Long Meadow near Upper Pool, Free
Bring your pup to the Park for treats and great company at FIDO in Prospect Park’s first Coffee Bark of the spring, with free goodies for dogs and their owners, and a special 150th cake!
150th Anniversary Bird Watching Walk, 8–11 a.m.
Parkside Entrance, Free
Join Brooklyn Bird Club to welcome the earliest migrants of the year and celebrate the 150th with special prizes. Please note this tour leaves promptly at 8 am, and participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. Rain or shine.
Prospect Park Running History Tour, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Free, Register online
Join New York Road Runners and Prospect Park Alliance to experience the Park’s history at a comfortable pace (10 min/mile) that will allow for plenty of photo ops and questions along the way.
Prospect Park Grill Out at Greenmarket, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Grand Army Plaza, Free
Join GrowNYC and Prospect Park Alliance in celebrating the 150th anniversary of Prospect Park, with a grill out of meats and veggies sourced from Greenmarket farmers.
Weekend Volunteer Corps, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Free, Register online or call (718) 287-3400
Celebrate the 150th by giving back to the Park! Help spruce up gardens, paint fences and benches, weed, spread mulch, and clean and maintain pathways.
Campfire Conversations: Stewardship, 7–8 p.m.
Lefferts Historic House, Free
Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Public Library present a community conversation on the topic of stewardship and public space around an outdoor campfire, with refreshments, music and mulled wine.
Sunday, April 2
150th Anniversary Run, 9–10 a.m.
Free, Register online
Join Prospect Park Alliance and the Prospect Park Track Club for a commemorative run through Park Slope! The route will spell out 150, in honor of the Park’s sesquicentennial.
Smorgasburg, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Breeze HillCelebrate the 150th with the first Smorgasburg of the season, with more than 100 local food and drink purveyors offering a range of cuisines from around the world. Member Perk: Prospect Park Alliance members receive $1 off beer.
Our Streets, Our Stories: Prospect Park 150, 1–3 p.m.
Central Library Info Commons, Free
In celebration of Prospect Park's 150th Anniversary, Brooklyn Public Library and Prospect Park Alliance invite you to share your Prospect Park story, to be archived in the Brooklyn Collection.
Prospect Park Walking Tour, 3–5 p.m.
Celebrate 150 year of Prospect Park on this guided walking tour that examines the Park’s many layers of history led by Turnstile Tours.
Member Perk: Prospect Park Alliance members receive a 25% discount on tickets. Already a member? Contactmembership@prospectpark.org for more information.
All Weekend
Nature Exploration, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free
Join Prospect Park Alliance for fun nature activities to welcome the start of spring, and also participate in our 150th anniversary species count for special prizes.
Spring Sprouts, 2–4 p.m.
Lefferts Historic House, $3 suggested donationIt’s time for spring planting! Join Prospect Park Alliance to help plant our crop of flax and make a small pot out of newspaper, fill it with soil and plant vegetable seeds to take home.
Ice Skating Fun
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5:15 p.m.
Visit our website for skate admission and rentals info
Celebrate the Park’s 150th, and the last days of ice skating for the season. All ages can enjoy a weekend of ice skating, including a complimentary pass to return for roller skating this spring.
Member Perk: Prospect Park Alliance members skate free all weekend. Already a member? Show your member ID at the ticket counter for free admission.
Carousel Rides, 12–5 p.m.
Prospect Park Carousel, $2 per ride; $9 for a book of 5 tickets
Celebrate with a first ride of the year on the Park’s beloved 1912 carousel.
Member Perk: become an Alliance Family Supporter member to receive unlimited rides for a full year!
Prospect Park Zoo, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Free for children with paid adult admissionProspect Park Zoo is sharing in the Park’s celebration with free admission for children, and special Park-centric fun.
For more information, maps and directions, visit our website.
Lead image courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
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