Where Do You Park?

The NY Times reignites a bit of Manhattan-Brooklyn rivalry today as they argue whether Central Park or Prospect Park is a better hang out. Manhattan champion "Vaux Populi" (author Jim Rasenberger) admits, "I have nothing against Prospect Park...I am sure that if I found myself near it again and had nothing better to do, I would be happy to watch the grass grow, or whatever it is people do there," but is all-caps serious about Central Park being "THE GREATEST URBAN PARK ON EARTH."

On the flip side, "A Little Bit Country" (writer Elizabeth Giddens) argues that both the parks' architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux far preferred Prospect Park. They also complain that the Manhattan oasis is "entirely overrun by tourists," while Prospect's Long Meadow is the "pastoral ideal at its finest." So, are you a Bethesda Fountain or a Long Meadow? Or are you too busy hanging out in Astoria Park, Wolfe's Pond Park or Van Cortlandt Park to even pay much attention?

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By Jaya Saxena in Arts & Entertainment on July 11, 2010 2:45 PM

Comments [rss]

MikeyKnows

Let's not bicker... instead let's be real. They're both great parks and both boroughs are understandably happy to have them. They are definitely close enough in awesomeness, however, for the sake of this argument there are TWO glaring differences that weigh in favor of Prospect Park:

1) Tourists (or lack there of)

Many people on this blog (and in NYC in general) complain about the tourists. They clog the sidewalks, they wander aimlessly, etc. One place you REALLY don't want tourists though is in your park. Period. Everyone wants their own personal space in the park.

2) BBQ

The ability to (legally) BBQ in Prospect Park is such a huge advantage it's not even fair.

spiritross

Van Cortland

Miles of mountain biking trails all to myself just two blocks from my beautiful Bronx home.

It's called Woodlawn and its the best neighborhood in the city.

Eat your heart out.

seaanemoneman

How about some gratitude that we all get both.

faprilano

really? nice elitist attitude there buddy. it's people like you with their nose in the air (and head up their ass) that get the s**t kicked out of them in parks.

ur doing it rong

Prospect Park is fine, but there's really no comparison. This is a stupid post just to stir up a fight between BK and Manhattan folks. I understand BK locals having a preference for home turf. But central park has so much more to offer. Lakes, the zoo, the rambles, the boat pond, wolman rink the museum, tennis, bacci, baseball fields, the meadow. Go to the north end if you want to stay away from tourists.

Mr. Know-It-All

"But central park has so much more to offer. Lakes, the zoo, the rambles, the boat pond, wolman rink the museum, tennis, bacci, baseball fields, the meadow."

Hmmm. Lake, zoo, woodland (with gay cruising area), boats, Wolman Rink (same name), museum, tennis, baseball, meadow... Just add cricket games, dog beach, and barbecuing and you've described Prospect Park.

ur doing it rong

there's always 1 retard that takes the bait. Kudos faprilano, I only wish I trolled first.

henricus

Greatest urban park on Earth? Mmm, Hyde Park and Jardin du Luxembourg raise their eyebrows slightly.

Teddie Boy Eddie

Completely agree. My immediate thought was that although I like both CP and PP, I'd take Hyde Park any day over either one.

dept54321

Prospect FTW. Central is boring and crowded.

Mr. Know-It-All

Sorry, but Olmsted and Vaux got their practice on Central Park and THEN built Prospect Park. There is nothing like the Long Meadow early in the morning with the mist rising off the lawn and there is certainly nothing like it in Central Park.

hotstepper

hardly practice. PP is a lovely park for your neighborhood but CP with it's sheer size and spectacular vistas, incredible historic bridges, variegated terrain, and even America's only Egyptian obelisk, it is a park fit for the entire city and (dare i say) the world.