One of the most overlooked corners of Prospect Park is finally getting a major glow up.
Construction has officially begun on a $37.5 million restoration of the Vale of Cashmere, a 26-acre section in the park’s northeast corner that has fallen into disrepair over the years. When finished, the project will revive historic landscapes, introduce new amenities, and transform the area into a nature-focused retreat for Brooklynites.
The effort marks the first major restoration of the Vale in more than 50 years–and the largest single capital investment in Prospect Park since the Lakeside redevelopment from 2010–2013.
🌳 The Vibe: From “Forgotten” to “Found”
If you’ve ever wandered into the northeast corner of Prospect Park near Grand Army Plaza, you’ve likely stumbled upon the Vale of Cashmere.
Once the park’s most glamorous destination, it has spent the last 50 years falling into a state of “enchanted disrepair”–overgrown, crumbling, and largely overlooked.
That’s officially changing. Ground has broken on a $37.5 million restoration that will transform an 8-acre slice of this part of the park into a world-class botanical retreat.
🛠️ The Details: Reviving Historic Spaces & Other Huge Upgrades
Originally designed by famed park architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the Vale of Cashmere once served as a scenic destination where New Yorkers could connect with nature through gardens, fountains, and wooded landscapes.
This isn’t just a “mow the lawn” project. The Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks are rebuilding the landscape from the ground up.
The new restoration will focus on two of the Vale’s most historic features:
- The Children’s Pool: this historic 19th-century water feature is being fully restored with bird-friendly plantings and new water circulation
- The former rose garden: this space will be reimagined into three interconnected landscapes designed to honor the park’s historic layout while bringing the woodland environment back to life
Alongside restoring historic elements, the project will introduce several new features aimed at creating a space for relaxation, exploration, and family-friendly activities. New additions will include:
- A pollinator garden and planted arbor
- A children’s nature exploration area with logs, boulders, and sand features
- A picnicking lawn surrounded by native trees
- A wooden pavilion with composting restrooms and a shaded terrace
The restoration will also include three acres of woodland rehabilitation, strengthening an important pollinator corridor that runs through the park.
💰 The $37.5 million investment
This is the single largest capital investment in the park since the Lakeside skating rink was built in 2010.
The $37.5 million price tag is being covered by city funds allocated by former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Additional support comes from a $300,000, three-year Community Reforestation grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which will help restore woodland areas and expand habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies.
🗓️ When can New Yorkers visit?
Construction is happening now, and while it’s a massive undertaking, the city expects the project to be completed in 2027.
When finished, the revitalized space is intended to offer something increasingly rare in New York City: a quiet corner of the park designed for nature, reflection, and low-key outdoor gatherings.
Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard, and the restoration of the Vale will bring new life to a space where generations of Brooklynites have gathered and made memories together. –– Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso