SEE: Historic Prospect Park Arch Restored To 'Original Splendor'

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — A historic archway in Brooklyn's backyard has been restored to its "original splendor" after a $500,000 restoration project.

The Endale Arch — built in the 1860s as an entrance to Long Meadow from Grand Army Plaza — was unveiled Friday after a years-long restoration project to return the arch to the way it looked in its earliest days.

The project was funded by the Tiger Baron Foundation and Council Member Brand Lander, whose participatory budgeting funds were chosen by District 39 constituents to donate to the project. It was led by the Prospect Park Alliance.

"Our Design + Construction team has outdone themselves on this project, and we are thrilled to share this beautifully restored archway with our community," Alliance President Sue Donoghue said.

The restoration kicked off in 2015 after years of research into the historic structure, according to the alliance.

It included stabilizing the stone retaining walls, replacing invasive plants with native species, improving drainage issues and restoring the interior of the arch and exterior stonework.

In the interior and exterior restoration final phase, Barnhart Restoration and the Alliance discovered original paneling that had been covered for nearly a century when stripping back layers of paint and grit.

The motif of alternating yellow Berea sandstone and New Jersey brownstone, and white pine and black walnut wood paneling were restored to their original detail, though the team opted to leave one brick and granite cross vault exposed to highlight the detailed craftsmanship put in place over 150 years ago.

New LED lighting was also added to illuminate the interior of the arch.

The Endale Arch project is part of a larger effort to improve the northeast corner of the park. The initiative includes restoring the Vale Woodlands, the Grand Army Plaza berms and Soldiers and Sailors Arch, the Flatbush Avenue perimeter and two new entrances along Flatbush Avenue.

Check out photos of the newly-restored arch here, courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance and Paul Martinka:

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