Prospect Park
Also known as: See Also:Boathouse on the Lullwater; Grecian Shelter; Litchfie
Why it's listed
Prospect Park is a 526-acre public park in Brooklyn, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who were appointed in 1866 after their Central Park work. Construction began that July and the park was largely complete by 1873. The designers turned hills, gullies, and swampy hollows into three distinct districts: the open Long Meadow, wooded hills, and a fifty-seven acre lake fed by a man-made stream system. Carriage drives, bridle paths, and walks were kept separate, with arches carrying drives over pedestrian routes. Later work added a second layer of design. Around 1895 to 1905, McKim, Mead & White gave several entrances a classical character, and Grand Army Plaza is dominated by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch of 1889-92. Other features include the Boathouse, the Grecian Shelter, the Lefferts Homestead, and the Camperdown Elm. The park remains Brooklyn's principal green space and recreational site.
Significance in brief: The park is a major example of the picturesque landscape design of Olmsted and Vaux, with a Long Meadow, woodlands, and a man-made water system and lake. It also holds notable arches, shelters, and entrances, including the classical additions of McKim, Mead & White and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch. It has been Brooklyn's prime recreational space since its opening.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80002637, listed September 17, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Bounded by Parkside, Ocean and Flatbush Aves., Prospect Park W. and Prospect SW., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | September 17, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002637 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (landscape architects); also McKim, Mead & White; Helmle, Huberty & Hudswell; John H. Duncan (Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch) |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Public park owned by the City of New York, occupied and open with unrestricted access; some original structures are no longer standing and others have been restored or reconstructed. |
| Acreage | 526 |
| Coordinates | 40.66207, -73.97187 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80002637.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1049632
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.