For immediate release Contact: Eric Landau September 25, 2013 Off: 718.965.8953 Cell: 347.449.0211 PHOTO CREDIT: Prospect Park Alliance [email protected]
NEW PARADE GROUND COMFORT STATION OPENS
Assembly Member James Brennan, Prospect Park Alliance President Emily Lloyd, 70 Precinct Community Council President Ed Powell, Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs, Community Board 14 Chairman Alvin Burke, Prospect Park Community Committee Chair Dany Cunningham, Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Community Board 14 resident, State Senator Eric Adams, Prospect Park Alliance Architect Alden Maddry.
Brooklyn, NY - The Prospect Park Alliance announced the opening of the new Parade Ground Comfort Station at a ribbon cutting ceremony today, September 25, 2013. Funded by the New York City Council, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and NYS Assembly Members Rhoda Jacobs, James Brennan, and Joan Millman, the new comfort station is centrally located in the Parade Ground, adjacent to the concession stand.
“This project is just one of many the Prospect Park Alliance has undertaken in its 26 year history to restore the Park to its original glory,” said Emily Lloyd, President of the Prospect Park Alliance and Park Administrator. She added, “Building a comfort station may not be the most glamorous project but it is a critical one, especially now that the Parade Ground is so heavily used by thousand of Brooklynites. We are grateful for the strong support of our elected officials and the surrounding community.”
“It was a pleasure to designate funds for this significant improvement for the thousands of users of the Parade Ground,” said Assembly Member James Brennan.
“I am pleased to have been able to help fund the installation of Comfort Stations at the Prospect Park Parade Ground. In conjunction with the recent installation of security cameras and lighting, which my office was involved in, the addition of clean restrooms to the Parade Ground is an important step in making both the Playground and Park safer and more welcoming for families in our community,” said Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs.
“This new comfort station is a welcomed amenity to the Park and I was pleased to work with Borough President Marty Markowitz and my Assembly colleagues to provide state funding for this project,” said Assembly Member Joan Millman.
“Bravo to the New York City Council and State Assembly Members Rhoda Jacobs, James Brennan, and Joan Millman for their help in making the Parade Ground, one of the most popular recreational facilities in all of the City’s parks, even better,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “From baseball to volleyball, football to soccer, basketball to softball and beyond, the Parade Ground’s got something for everyone. So with 11 gorgeous athletic fields, full-service concession stands, picnic areas, and these new comfort stations, the Parade Ground are flush with all the creature comforts New Yorker’s could possibly want for a day of outdoor fun, and it’s clear, nothing can rain on Brooklyn’s parade.”
Since 1998, the Alliance has invested over $20 million to restore the 40-acre Parade Ground to one of Brooklyn's premier public recreational facilities. This new comfort station is a very welcome addition that will have a substantial impact for all park users.
About the Parade Ground: The Parade Ground features eleven athletic fields, including a premiere baseball diamond with a state-of-the-art scoreboard, covered dugouts, bleachers, and night lighting. There are also three additional baseball fields, two softball fields, one football field, one soccer field, and three giant multi-purpose fields. During the 2004 reconstruction, new artificial turf was added to five of the fields allowing for year-round use. The reconstruction also included new basketball and volleyball courts, as well as full-service concessions facilities and new picnic areas, seating, and landscaping.
The fabled fields have enjoyed a long history, from hosting wildly popular military displays in the 1870s to the glory days of Brooklyn baseball, when it launched the careers of such major league legends as Sandy Koufax, Joe Torre, and John Franco. Designed with intensive community input, the Parade Ground is once again one of New York City’s premiere sports complexes, serving local high schools, youth soccer leagues, sandlot baseball teams, adult and youth softball leagues, football leagues, and many other community groups.
For more information on Prospect Park programs, volunteering and membership, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999, or visit www.prospectpark.org.
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The Prospect Park Alliance partners with the City of New York and the community to make Prospect Park the beautiful place Brooklynites know and love. We care for the natural environment, preserve historic designs, provide facilities and host events, programs and activities throughout the year for all New Yorkers. ###