Mayor Eric Adams has announced a $68 million plan aimed at improving flood resilience in Brooklyn, with a focus on Prospect Park and surrounding neighborhoods that have experienced severe weather events. As part of this effort, the administration is introducing Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt in Prospect Park, a system that uses natural processes to manage stormwater.
The investment is intended to strengthen the park’s lake and wetlands to improve their capacity to handle heavy rainfall. Of the total $68 million, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is contributing up to $50 million, complementing the ongoing $20 million renovation of the park’s lakeshore led by the Prospect Park Alliance (PPA). According to the City of New York, the collaboration is expected to help protect Prospect Park, including the zoo and nearby neighborhoods, from severe storm impacts.
DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala emphasized the role of Prospect Park in stormwater management, highlighting plans to enhance its capacity to respond to extreme weather. The project includes measures such as lowering lake levels within 36 hours, which is significantly faster than the usual three-week schedule, and adding a pond and rain gardens along West Drive to address recurring flooding in the area.
As part of DEP's water system initiatives, an additional pond will be developed north of the zoo to manage rainwater runoff from Flatbush Avenue and reduce the risk of overflow that could affect the Prospect Park Zoo, a recurring issue that intensified after the record-breaking storm in September 2023. These new features are designed to improve the park’s landscaping while addressing ongoing flooding challenges.
Construction is expected to begin in 2029, with an estimated completion date in 2032. New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif highlighted that the investment in Prospect Park’s first Bluebelt is intended to help protect Kensington, Prospect Park South, and Windsor Terrace from recurring flash floods. Once finished, the project aims to restore the park while adapting it to meet the challenges of a changing climate.
The project has received support from state assembly members, city council members, and community boards. Officials note that enhancing climate resilience through public parks is a key step in protecting communities from severe weather events.
