Prospect Park

Prospect Park celebrates its 150th anniversary this weekend with blowout party

From ice disco to bird watching to Smorgasburg

March 28, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Coney Island’s fabulous Lola Star kicks off a celebration of Prospect Park’s 150th anniversary this weekend with a Dreamland Ice Disco party Friday night. Photo courtesy of Lola Star
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Get ready to party in the park this weekend, when Brooklyn’s fabulous Prospect Park celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Since its opening in 1867, Prospect Park — designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after their completion of Manhattan’s Central Park — has been a beloved space for Brooklynites of all stripes to play, relax and enjoy nature. In honor of this milestone, the Prospect Park Alliance has put together a weekend of special events.

The fun kicks off Friday, March 31, when Coney Island’s magical Lola Star brings the Dreamland Ice Disco to LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Star’s famous roller disco parties, known to attract dancers, hula hoopers, party kids and everyday fun seekers, are not to be missed.

An ebullient Star told the Brooklyn Eagle via email that she is “thrilled to introduce the world’s first ever Ice Disco!!!  Ice disco is like roller disco but on ice skates!!!

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“Dreamland Ice Disco will be an immersive skating experience,” she explained. “We will transport you into a magical ice disco Dreamland. In addition to ice skating to retro tunes from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s spun by DJ Momotaro, you will be dazzled by our fabulous lead hula hoopers, poi and figure skating performers. Your mind will be blown watching the best ice skaters in NYC compete during our skate dance competition! 

“Dress in themed costumes, have your photo taken by our professional photographer on our red carpet and participate in our costume contest!” Star added. (This event for those 21 and older.)

On Saturday, enjoy the start of the park’s spring season with an Opening Day Parade (followed by a ceremonial first pitch to start the baseball season), the Opening Day Fair, an exhibition 1860s-regulation ballgame in period costume featuring the Brooklyn Atlantics, plus running and walking tours. Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver and Borough President Eric Adams will join other officials and thousands of players and their families from the Prospect Park Baseball Association  for the game on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Long Meadow Ball Field 1.

Dogs are in on the fun, of course, with a morning Coffee Bark, including free goodies for dogs and their owners, and a special 150th cake.

The schedule of events also includes the 150th Anniversary Bird Watching Walk, a Prospect Park Running History Tour, Grill Out at Greenmarket, and Campfire Conversations at Lefferts Historic House.

The party continues on Sunday with the 150th Anniversary Run through Park Slope, the first Smorgasburg (think foodie heaven) of the season, a walking tour through the park, nature exploration, and crafts for kids at Lefferts Historic House. Also on Sunday, Brooklyn Public Library and Prospect Park Alliance invite you to share your Prospect Park story, to be archived in the Brooklyn Collection.

These events are in addition to the park’s usual ice skating, carousel rides, the Prospect Park Zoo and more.

Full schedule of events can be found here.


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