Debate over proposed skate park at Mount Prospect Park continues
Members of the group Friends of Mount Prospect Park have been speaking out against it since Day 1, with Helen Koh, who sits on the group's Steering Committee, saying the park "was built as a place of meditation and contemplation, deeply rooted in nature, as much as you can be in New York City."
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A January announcement from Mayor Eric Adams that the city plans to build a 40,000-square-foot skate park at Mount Prospect Heights continues to spark debate in the community.
Members of the group Friends of Mount Prospect Park have been speaking out against it since Day 1, with Helen Koh, who sits on the group's Steering Committee, saying the park "was built as a place of meditation and contemplation, deeply rooted in nature, as much as you can be in New York City."
Some people who live in the area, like Nicole Gates, believe even if the park is built, "you can still bring your dog, still bring your children," but the group is not as sure.
The size "would totally disrupt the core nature use of the park," says Koh.
Hayley Gorenberg, who also sits on the Steering Committee, says green space is precious in Brooklyn - especially in the summer when it gets hot out, and "we don't have it to spare."
The New York City Parks Department claims no existing trees will be removed, but people who have studied those things, like Friends of Mount Prospect Park intern Aidan Screwvala argue the paving will still cause damage, because "if you pour concrete over those root systems, they're going to heat them up, they're going to cut off nutrients going to those trees, those trees are going to die off."
The group also has safety concerns about the area - including a steep stairway that goes right down to Eastern Parkway, and looks like something that reckless skateboarders may try something on.
"If you miss and wipe out, it's organ-level impalement," Gorenberg warns.
While exact plans for the skate park have not been released yet, Friends of Mount Prospect Park says they have been told to expect them in April.
