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Kiddin' around in Prospect Park

Compiled by amNY.com

August 11, 2006

Like Central Park, its Manhattan counterpart, Prospect Park is a haven for kids of all ages growing up in the big city. In addition to its wide, open spaces, ballfields and playgrounds, Prospect Park has its own "Children's Corner," designed specifically for the younger set.

The Children's Corner can be found by entering at the Willink entrance near the intersection of Flatbush and Ocean avenues. There are three major features in this area of the park that are sure to keep little ones engaged for an afternoon and eager to return again.

The Lefferts Historic House: Tour this Dutch Colonial farmhouse and learn about life in 18th century Brooklyn. (Open Thurs.-Sun. and holidays, noon - 5 p.m. (until 6 p.m. in the summer)

The Carousel: Children always enjoy taking a carousel ride, and it's a bargain no less, at $1.50 per ride. The park's carousel was created in 1912 and refurbished in 1990. (Open noon - 5 p.m., Thurs.-Sun in April - June and Sept.-Oct ; and until 6 p.m. from July 1 - Labor Day)

Prospect Park Zoo: Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, this zoo is home to about 400 animals representing 80 species. The zoo is known for its exhibits showing animals in their natural habitats. (Open April-Oct. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays and until 5:30 p.m. on weekends; open Nov.-March from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily)

The "Corner" is by no means the only place for children in Prospect Park. There are also seven playgrounds in a range of designs and themes:

The Garfield Tot Lot is located just inside the entrance at Garfield Place and Prospect Park West. It has climbing equipment and water play areas designed specifically for toddlers.

The Harmony Playground is situated near the Bandshell (along Prospect Park West between 9th and 10th streets) and -- as its name suggests draws on a musical theme. Children can make their own music on xylophones. There also are sprinklers and a sandbox

Not far from the Children's Corner is the Imagination Playground (at Ocean Avenue between Parkside Avenue and Lincoln Road). Here, children enjoy a dragon statue that squirts water and a storytelling grove, where every Saturday during the summer months stories are actually told during the "Erza Jack Keats Storytelling Hour."

Another play area to check out after visiting the Children's Corner is the Lincoln Road Playground (just inside the park at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue). Children can play chess or checkers or cool down among the bronze frog sculputures, which spout water during the summer.

The Parade Ground Playground (at the corner of Caton Avenue and Parade Place near E. 16th Street) is located near the athletic fields.

For the more active kids, the Third Street Playground is a good choice. Children can burn energy navigating a maze of swings and jungle gyms.

The Vanderbilt Street Playground (just inside the Prospect Park Southwest entrance at Vanderbilt Street) has climbing equipment, footbridges, swings and slides.

SPORTS

Prospect Park continues to serve older children -- even after they outgrow carousels and playgrounds -- with a rich offering of places to pursue sporting activities. The main area for sports is the Parade Ground(Coney Island Avenue between Parkside and Caton avenues), which is made up of 11 recently refurbished atheltic fields.

Here you can play baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and netball. The fields are used for league play as well as for everyday pickup games. Other baseball fields can be found at the Long Meadow (at 9th Street and Central Park West).

The Prospect Park Tennis Center, also located at the Parade Ground, is an incredible resource for families living near the park. The center has a Youth Development Program, which offers lessons, supervised match play, and tournament training for kids.

During the cold-weather months, children can practice their ice skating skills at Wollman Rink, located near the Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue entrance. This facility is open from late November to March. Private and group lessons are offered at its skate school.

NATURE

Prospect Park allows children to get close to nature even though they're living in a metropolis. Fishing at Prospect Lake is one way kids can experience country life in the big city. The park runs a "catch and release" program at the lake. Macy's department story also sponsors an annual fishing contest for kids at the lake every July.

Prospect Park Nature Trails offer a good opportunity for field study and bird watching for young and old alike. The park operates four different trails covering 2 1/2 miles. The trailhead is located at the park's Audobon Center, which is another great resource for children. The center has interactive exhibits and special kids' educational programs that include crafts, gardening and storytelling. The Audobon Center is located at the picturesque Boathouse.