Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks on Monday unveiled a nature trail system in Prospect Park, with five routes through the heart of the Prospect Park's 350 acres of woodlands.
In addition, the Old Growth Forest Network, the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth native forests, also designated Prospect Park as Brooklyn's official Old Growth Forest, which means it is the oldest known forest in Brooklyn.
Five scenic routes are now ready to welcome visitors: Lullwater Trail, Peninsula Trail, Midwood Loop, Ravine Loop, and Fallkill Trail, which first opened to the public in 2023. Each paved, wood-chipped, gravel and log-lined route route is clearly marked with signage and specially designed blazes, and a complementary web page includes guided tours of the routes through Bloomberg Connects.
"Getting lost in our woodlands is part of the beauty and magic of Prospect Park," Morgan Monaco, president of Prospect Park Alliance said in a statement. "Since the pandemic, Prospect Park has seen a boom in park visitors exploring these scenic natural areas. While these connections are critical for the health and well-being of our community, it also places this fragile ecosystem at risk. Through this formalized trail system, we welcome the public to enjoy these special places while also protecting wildlife habitats."
Visitors can now access a map that defines all trails in the park’s natural areas, including both official paths and visitor-created "desire lines." Some of the desire lines were formalized, while others were closed through eco-friendly techniques, such as using downed branches to create natural hedges and through the planting of native trees, plants and shrubs.
"With formalized trails in Prospect Park, we're making it easier for New Yorkers to unwind from the stresses of urban living and connect with the vibrant natural world that surrounds us, while also protecting the ecology of these wild spaces," said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa.
