Prospect Park regulars are finding a lot more walking and a lot less sipping these days, after thieves ripped out nine ornate brass basins from drinking fountains across the park, leaving several spouts dry and badly damaged just as summer crowds roll in.
Park workers discovered the missing hardware on May 8 and quickly shut down several fountains while they figure out fixes. The thefts hit multiple hotspots across the Brooklyn landmark, including the Long Meadow, the area near the Boathouse and the Parade Grounds, leaving visitors to lug their own water on warmer days.
As reported by Gothamist, crews with the Prospect Park Alliance found nine basins had been removed from multiple fountains. The parks department estimates each stainless-steel replacement basin will cost about $11,000, pushing repair and replacement costs close to $100,000. As a short-term fix, workers have been ordering heavier, less-salable stainless versions to swap in for the stolen brass.
Why brass gets targeted
Brass is a favorite target for metal thieves because it pulls a higher price at scrap yards, and “the price of brass has been rising for the past five months,” Timothy Fulton told Gothamist. Fulton said he was struck by how bold the theft was, given the muscle and time it takes to remove and haul away heavy basins from public fixtures. According to the outlet’s reporting, the pumps and internal plumbing were left untouched, with the thieves focusing squarely on the decorative metal bowls.
Park reaction and public inconvenience
Local students and parkgoers told Gothamist they were irritated to find some of their go-to fountains taped off or bone dry. “It’s a shame people vandalize the park and damage the water fountains,” student Dave Green said, while Sam Klein noted that people rely on those fountains when it heats up and that the damage felt unfair to regular users. Families and longtime visitors said they are hoping repairs move quickly as crowds pour back in for the summer season.
Repairs, costs and next steps
The Prospect Park Alliance says its crews are working with city parks staff to replace the basins and limit downtime for both drinking fountains and decorative features, though specific repair timelines were not posted on the alliance’s site. Upgrading to stainless steel is more expensive initially, but officials expect it to lower the fixtures’ appeal to scrap buyers while boosting durability. No arrests or suspects had been announced as of the initial reporting.
Until the new basins are installed, visitors should plan for spotty fountain access around the park and bring extra water for longer outings. Park leaders say they will keep reviewing security and maintenance needs as they race to get the system back in shape before peak summer usage hits.
