NYC wants Prospect Park to drain more of Central Brooklyn's floodwater

City Officials Unveil Plan to Make Prospect Park a Giant Flood Absorber for Central Brooklyn Neighborhoods.

In a move aimed at reducing flooding in Central Brooklyn, city officials have announced a $68 million investment to transform Prospect Park into a natural flood control system. The plan, which is part of the city's "Bluebelt" program, will see two new ponds and rain gardens created within the park to absorb heavy rainfall. This will divert floodwaters away from nearby streets, including Flatbush Avenue, where Tropical Storm Ophelia caused significant damage in 2022.

According to researchers, stormwater has been failing to drain properly into Prospect Park Lake during heavy storms, resulting in flash flooding across multiple neighborhoods. In one instance, the park's zoo was inundated with up to 25 feet of water after the storm, forcing it to close for eight months.

Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa emphasized the importance of the project, stating that public parks serve as "natural infrastructure" and are crucial in making cities more resilient to extreme weather events. She noted that climate change is exacerbating these issues and highlighted the need for proactive measures like this one to protect surrounding neighborhoods from flooding.

The project is expected to be completed by 2032, with city officials highlighting its potential to make a significant impact on reducing flooding in Central Brooklyn.

lol im thinkin about what kinda damage would happen if prospect park flooded imagine the zoo animals swimmin around...anyway, sounds like good idea tho... need more green spaces like that around city for flood prevention... hope they do it right and dont make pond look all ugly gotta keep it pretty while keepin it functional

omg i just saw that movie "The Day After Tomorrow" and it's kinda scary how fast the weather can change so this plan sounds super cool i mean making a giant flood absorber out of a park? who would've thought but like what if its not enough to stop the flooding or something? i dont wanna live in new york city if the whole place is gonna flood lol anyway, i guess its good that they're trying to do something about it and yeah public parks are def super important for the environment

I think this is such a great idea ! I mean, can you imagine having two new ponds and rain gardens in Prospect Park just to soak up all the extra water from heavy rainfall? It's like they're taking a super smart approach to dealing with flooding problems. And honestly, it makes total sense that public parks are basically natural infrastructure - I mean, we already go there to relax, play, and enjoy nature, so why not use them to help keep our neighborhoods safe too? Plus, it's awesome that the city is investing $68 million into this project - it shows they're serious about addressing climate change and its effects on flooding. And 2032 might feel like a long way off now, but just think of all the people (and animals!) who won't have to deal with flash flooding every year... it's going to be a game-changer for Central Brooklyn

omg have you guys ever been to Prospect Park? I mean, it's already beautiful but can u imagine if they made it even more like a nature reserve or something? Adding two new ponds and rain gardens sounds genius! it makes total sense that they'd want to use the park as part of their flood control system - all those stormwaters gotta go somewhere!

I'm also loving how they're talking about public parks being like "natural infrastructure" - like, we should be investing in our green spaces more or less? It's crazy to think about how climate change is affecting cities everywhere... I mean, I remember when Tropical Storm Ophelia hit Brooklyn and it was all over the news... that stuff is no joke! so yeah, I'm really hyped for this project - 2032 can't come soon enough!

I don't get why they need to spend so much money on just a park . I mean, it's not like the floodwaters are going to magically disappear or something . But at the same time, if it can help people who live nearby from getting hurt during storms, then I guess it's worth it . I don't know, maybe I'm just not thinking about this stuff enough ...

I think it's pretty cool that they're turning Prospect Park into a giant flood absorber. I mean, it's not like we can control the weather or anything, but making our parks work with nature is definitely a good idea. The fact that stormwater used to be draining into the park and causing flooding in other neighborhoods shows just how overwhelmed our drainage system is becoming. And climate change isn't helping matters! It's crazy to think about having a zoo that can get 25 feet of water in it... But hey, at least this project will help keep people safe and dry in the long run. Plus, who doesn't love spending time in Prospect Park, even if they're not there to enjoy the park itself?

I'm super stoked about this plan ! It's time we take action against climate change and protect our communities from flood damage . I mean, can you imagine walking down Flatbush Ave and seeing that much water? No thanks! This $68 million investment is a solid step forward and shows that the city is serious about addressing this issue . Two new ponds and rain gardens will make all the difference, trust me . It's not just about Prospect Park, it's about keeping our neighborhoods safe . Let's get ready to soak up some stormwater like a pro ! Bluebelt program for the win

omg I'm low-key stoked about this Prospect Park flood plan ! like we all know climate change is real and it's getting crazy out here, so it's awesome that the city is taking proactive steps to protect our neighborhoods. two new ponds and rain gardens in the park? genius ! i remember Tropical Storm Ophelia hitting us hard back in 2022 and I was worried about my flatbush avenue friends who got hit with those flash floods . but this plan seems like a solid solution, and it's cool that parks commissioner iris rodriguez-rosa is speaking out about the importance of public parks as natural infrastructure . let's get this done by 2032!

Ugh I gotta say I'm kinda skeptical about this plan ... I mean it's great that they're trying to tackle the issue of flooding, but $68 million is a lot of cash and I don't know if two new ponds and rain gardens are gonna make a huge difference in the grand scheme. Plus, have they thought about what will happen when it rains even harder or during the hurricane season? It's not like we're just talking about some little storm ... Tropical Storm Ophelia was like a category 3 thing! And what about the environmental impact? I hope they've considered that their "natural infrastructure" might just end up harming the park itself . Still, kudos to Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa for trying to make Brooklyn more resilient, fingers crossed it works out .

I'm so down for this! I mean, can you imagine living next to Prospect Park and seeing your neighborhood flood every time it rains? It's crazy that our parks aren't designed to handle all that water. I'm glad the city is stepping up and investing in something like this. Those two new ponds and rain gardens are gonna be game changers! And Iris Rodriguez-Rosa makes a great point about public parks being natural infrastructure - it's time we start thinking of them as more than just places for picnics . I'm curious to see how this project goes down, tho. Will it really make a difference in reducing flooding? Only time (and 7 yrs ) will tell!

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s crazy that they’re turning Prospect Park into a giant flood absorber . Like, I get it, climate change is real and we need to do something about it, but transforming an entire park into a water management system? It sounds like a massive undertaking and I worry about the impact on the ecosystem .

I mean, what’s next? Are they gonna start draining lakes in Central Park too? It's like they're trying to fix one problem by creating another. And what about all the wildlife that calls Prospect Park home? They're not exactly thinking about the bigger picture here .

Still, I guess it's better than nothing and if it means keeping people safe from flooding then I'm all for it . Just hope they do a thorough job of consulting with local residents and experts before starting any major work .

I'm totally stoked about this plan ! Prospect Park already feels so peaceful and serene, but now it's gonna become like a superhero for our neighborhood . I mean, think about it - no more dealing with those pesky flash floods that ruin our commutes and mess up our homes . And the fact that it's part of the city's "Bluebelt" program is a major win in my book . We need more projects like this to help us adapt to climate change . I'm all about supporting local initiatives that make our community better, and this one takes the cake ! Can't wait to see the two new ponds and rain gardens go up - it's gonna be a game-changer for Central Brooklyn .

I'm so excited about this plan ! I mean who doesn't love having an extra layer of water between their shoe and the sidewalk? I guess it's better than walking through waist-deep puddles like that zoo dude in 2022 . But seriously, $68 million is a lot of clams (I mean dollars) to be spent on a flood control system, almost as much as I spend on avocado toast . On the bright side, it's a great excuse for Brooklynites to finally get out of their houses and enjoy Prospect Park without worrying about getting swept away by a tidal wave... or at least that's what they'll tell themselves .

So they're gonna turn Prospect Park into a giant water tank ! I'm not mad about it tho, flood control is a thing we need especially with climate change . I mean, who needs the NYC Zoo to be underwater like that? But seriously, $68 million is a solid investment and if it means saving our neighbors' homes, then it's worth it . And hey, parks are already cool places to hang out, now they're also gonna help us survive natural disasters . Can't wait to see the new ponds and rain gardens, it'll be like having our own personal water park... but instead of water slides, we get flood control !