A Beloved Brooklyn Bridge in Prospect Park Falls into Disrepair
The Terrace Bridge, a 1890 landmark and beloved centerpiece of Prospect Park, has been woefully neglected for nearly four mayoral administrations. Its once-sturdy structure now crumbles beneath its rusty green facade, as if mirroring the city's very own neglect. The bridge's deterioration is not just an eyesore; it poses significant safety risks to visitors, who often traverse the span en route to Smorgasburg or crossing the park.
For over a decade, weeds and debris have claimed the bridge, casting a forlorn shadow on the rest of the park, which has seen millions invested in recent years. The city's Department of Transportation has launched a rehab project in 2020, but progress remains glacial due to pandemic-related delays. In fact, experts estimate repairs could cost a staggering $35 million – a price tag that seems daunting given the scope of work required.
While some may advocate for replacement with an entirely new bridge, officials are instead opting to preserve the original design and aesthetics, as per the city's historic preservation policies. The project is currently in its preliminary stages, with both rehabilitation and replacement options being considered.
Locals like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, who has visited the park since childhood, are concerned about the bridge's impact on their beloved green space. "It's really peaceful," he says of the park. "I've been coming here since I was 5 years old." For Ortigoza and countless others, the Terrace Bridge represents a cherished connection to the past, and its restoration is essential to preserving that sense of community.
Others, like Kate Demidovich, hope for the best – that the city will indeed restore the bridge while honoring its historical significance. "I like that New York government keeps this safe for history, for heritage," she says. As the Terrace Bridge teeters precariously on the brink of collapse, it remains to be seen whether the city's efforts will be enough to bring it back from the brink.
The Terrace Bridge, a 1890 landmark and beloved centerpiece of Prospect Park, has been woefully neglected for nearly four mayoral administrations. Its once-sturdy structure now crumbles beneath its rusty green facade, as if mirroring the city's very own neglect. The bridge's deterioration is not just an eyesore; it poses significant safety risks to visitors, who often traverse the span en route to Smorgasburg or crossing the park.
For over a decade, weeds and debris have claimed the bridge, casting a forlorn shadow on the rest of the park, which has seen millions invested in recent years. The city's Department of Transportation has launched a rehab project in 2020, but progress remains glacial due to pandemic-related delays. In fact, experts estimate repairs could cost a staggering $35 million – a price tag that seems daunting given the scope of work required.
While some may advocate for replacement with an entirely new bridge, officials are instead opting to preserve the original design and aesthetics, as per the city's historic preservation policies. The project is currently in its preliminary stages, with both rehabilitation and replacement options being considered.
Locals like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, who has visited the park since childhood, are concerned about the bridge's impact on their beloved green space. "It's really peaceful," he says of the park. "I've been coming here since I was 5 years old." For Ortigoza and countless others, the Terrace Bridge represents a cherished connection to the past, and its restoration is essential to preserving that sense of community.
Others, like Kate Demidovich, hope for the best – that the city will indeed restore the bridge while honoring its historical significance. "I like that New York government keeps this safe for history, for heritage," she says. As the Terrace Bridge teeters precariously on the brink of collapse, it remains to be seen whether the city's efforts will be enough to bring it back from the brink.
! It's been neglected for ages and it's not just an eyesore, it's super unsafe too 
. $35 million is a lot of $$$ but I think preserving the original design is a great idea 
. It's like they're saying 'let's keep our history and culture alive' 
. But at the same time, I'm all for getting the job done ASAP 
️. Like, what if someone gets hurt on that bridge? 
Poor Jose is so worried about it too, he's been going to the park since he was 5 
. Fingers crossed they can get it fixed soon 
.
. like, i know the city's been doing a lot of renovations in the park and stuff, but this is crazy! $35 million is a huge amount for repairs and i feel bad for the people who have to fix it 
. i'm all for preserving history, but at the same time, safety should be the priority too 
. hope they can get it done ASAP so we can still enjoy that peaceful vibe 
.
i totally get why some ppl are saying we should replace it, but at the same time, preserving its original design is important too...like, what if this is a chance for us to learn from our mistakes and do better next time? 
. And what's with all these delays? It's already been over 5 years since they started working on it... it's time to get this done! 
. If they fix it up right, it'll be amazing again, but if they just leave it as is... 
The situation with the Brooklyn Bridge in Prospect Park is a total shame! I mean, you look at that beautiful old bridge and think it's gonna last forever, but nope, it's been neglected for ages 
. It's like the city just gave up on preserving its history. $35 million is a lot of cash, I get it, but can't they find a way to make it work? The kids growing up in Brooklyn, like that kid Jose, are gonna be the ones who suffer from this because they won't have that bridge anymore 
. It's not just about the money, though - it's about preserving our cultural heritage and making sure we learn from the past 
. Come on, city officials, do something! 
. I mean, who needs a new bridge when you have a beautiful old one that's already got character? 
. I mean, preserve the original design or not, someone needs to fix this ASAP! 
And what about all those people who are literally living under the bridge? 
it's like a part of our history is being erased 
can't believe they're still debating on whether to replace or rehab it... $35 million tho 
that's a lot of dough 
we need more of these historical gems in our city 
