{"nrhp_refnum":"72000852","name":"Grecian Shelter","other_names":["Croquet Shelter"],"category":"structure","location":{"address":"Prospect Park near Parkside Ave.","address_restricted":false,"city":"New York","county":"Brooklyn","state":"NY","lat":40.65365151300006,"lon":-73.96697609599994,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1972-01-20","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Landscape Architecture","Architecture"],"significance_levels":["state"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A one-story marble peristyle shelter in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, near Parkside Avenue, built in 1905 and also known as the Croquet Shelter.","why_significant":"The nomination presents the shelter as a classical peristyle evoking a Greek temple, linking two park entrances designed by McKim, Mead and White. It is described as probably without architectural equal among early 20th century peristyles in New York City. It also offers a view over the lake and a refuge from the city.","narrative":"Set along the Parkside Avenue edge of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, this one-story peristyle was built in 1905 and recalls a Greek temple. Twenty-eight marble columns with Corinthian capitals and square corner piers carry a trabeated structure topped by an ornate terra cotta entablature, with a vine-patterned frieze, decorated modillions and a balustrade with ornamental swags at the corners. Inside, the vaulted ceiling uses Guastavino tile and the platform is covered in glazed beveled brick. The shelter sits midway between the Park Circle and Ocean Avenue entrances, both designed by McKim, Mead and White, and serves as a link between them. South of the lake, it gives visitors a broad view of the water and a quiet retreat from the city. Neglected for years, it was rehabilitated in 1966 under the Parks Department's Monuments Officer. It was originally labeled the Croquet Shelter on the plans, though croquet was played elsewhere in the park. It is regarded as an architectural standout in the city.","period_of_significance":"1905","architect_builder":"McKim, Mead and White (architects of the associated park entrances)","architectural_style":"Classical, Greek temple-style peristyle","criteria":[],"status_note":"Condition listed as excellent and unaltered; rehabilitated in 1966 after years of neglect; publicly owned by the City of New York Department of Parks.","vacant_flag":null,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:50:38.896961-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/72000852.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/72000852/141bc6be85-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/72000852/141bc6be85-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"Jim.henderson","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grecian_Shelter_shade_jeh.JPG\" rel=\"noopener\">Jim.henderson</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grecian_Shelter_shade_jeh.JPG"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75318403","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grecian_Shelter","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5601553"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/new-york/brooklyn/grecian-shelter-72000852/"}