Prospect Park Seeks Volunteers Amid $3.2M Coronavirus Funding Gap

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Like many New York City parks this summer, Prospect Park is facing millions in budget shortfalls brought on by the coronavirus crisis all while serving even larger crowds of Brooklynites looking for fresh air.

The Prospect Park Alliance has announced several new programs and events where the public can help keep the park clean given the financial and staffing woes brought on by the pandemic, which closed many of the park's money-making concessions.

“We know how important the park is to our community right now, especially in the summer months,” said Alliance President Sue Donoghue.“Prospect Park is showing serious signs of wear and tear, and without our normal workforce, we need our community to pitch in and help keep this cherished green space thriving.”

The Alliance, which oversees the park, has lost about $3.2 million in revenue from March through June, largely due to closing its wedding venues, Tennis Center and LeFrak Center at Lakeside, according to the organization.

The concessions just recently started up again as the city reopens from the coronavirus crisis.

Those closures also meant lay-offs or furloughs for 20 staff members and holding off on hiring the extra 25 seasonal employees that are normally brought on board to care for the park in the spring.

About 75 staffers are caring for the park instead of the usual 120 or so during this time of year, the organization said.

Staff from the Parks Department are also down at Prospect Park. There are 15 maintenance and operations staff this summer, down from 23 last summer, a spokesperson for the Parks Department said.

There are typically 20 maintenance and operations staff assigned to the park during the off-season, the spokesperson said.

To help fill the gaps, the Prospect Park Alliance has announced a series of volunteer initiatives where Brooklynites can do their part to keep the park clean and cared for.

They include clean-up events each Monday in August, "Green-and-Go Kits" for self-guided cleaning days and a greeter program to educate other parkgoers.

Prospect Park is far from alone in its financial struggles during the pandemic.

A study of parks groups, which the Prospect Park Alliance participated in, found that an overall proposed $61.3-million reduction to the NYC Parks Department's budget could take maintenance of the city's parks back to the days of New York City's fiscal crisis.

Here's a look at how to help Prospect Park, provided by the Alliance:

It's My Park Day Mondays: August 10, 17, 24 + 31
RSVP: prospectpark.org/its-my-park

Join Prospect Park on Mondays in August for special It's My Park Day community volunteer clean up events, where groups and individuals can help sustain the park during these challenging times.In addition, every Saturday and Sunday through August 30, Prospect Park Alliance is offering both a Volunteer Greeter Green and Go Kit program to help keep the park green and vibrant.

Volunteer Greeter Program
Register: prospectpark.org/volunteergreeter

The Alliance is actively seeking volunteers from all communities around the park to join our Volunteer Greeter Program. Greeters circulate the park in teams of two, handing out trash bags and encouraging park visitors to take their trash and recyclables home with them. Greeters also inform the public about steps they can take to be park stewards, and protect natural areas and wildlife.

Green and Go Kits
Register: prospectpark.org/green-and-go

Help keep the park clean and green: register today for a Green and Go Kit, available every Saturday and Sunday through August 30 at various locations around the park. Kits include a trash grabber, garbage bags and gloves. You must be 18 years old to check out a kit, but children are welcome to accompany adults.

Carry In + Carry Out Trash
Prospect Park Alliance is asking park patrons to please carry out of the park everything patrons bring into the park, and to clean up their trash and litter. Prospect Park Alliance also is installing large trash receptacles in key areas of the park. View this map for large trash receptacle locations.