Brooklyn’s popular cycling route, Prospect Park

Prospect Park in Brooklyn is a 585-acre park that opened in 1867. Designed by the duo of landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park, this park has become one of the most popular cycling routes for New York cyclists. During the autumn season, in particular, visitors can enjoy its especially beautiful scenery with foliage. 

If you’re biking from Manhattan, you can get there by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, which is also very popular for walking! A dedicated bike lane is set between the pedestrian walkway and the roadway for cars.

Once you’ve crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s about a 20-minute ride to the entrance of Prospect Park at Grand Army Plaza. Head south down Boerum Place and turn left onto Dean Street. The first corner around Smith Street is lined with chic boutiques, restaurants, and bakeries. Blue Bottle Coffee is also right nearby. Two blocks south of this corner, you’ll find the Bergen Street subway station, served by the F and G lines.

If you continue further east on Dean Street, you’ll come across a Citi Bike docking station. It’s fun to see a message saying ‘Feel the power with an e-bike’ accompanied by an illustration of an elderly lady!

Continue along Dean Street until you reach Vanderbilt Avenue, then turn right, and you’ll see the iconic arch of Grand Army Plaza. Just to the south is the entrance to Prospect Park. By the way, on your immediate left as you head toward the park, you’ll find the Brooklyn Public Library. If you’re looking for a clean restroom, it’s a good idea to stop in there before heading into the park.

Finally, it’s time to start cycling in Prospect Park! Darrell, a Brooklyn resident who frequently cycles there, advises, ‘In the early morning, serious cyclists come in groups, so it’s not the best time for casual riding. Weekend afternoons get really crowded, with lots of kids, skaters, pedestrians, and people walking their dogs.

Cyclists start by heading south along the park’s west side, following a counterclockwise route. Along the way, if you head inward from the main course, you’ll find Dog Beach. There weren’t any dogs in the water on this day, but in summer, many dogs splash around in the pond. Nearby, there’s also a waterfall, another popular spot.

Once you reach the southernmost part of the park, continue eastward. There, you’ll come across Prospect Park Lake, where you can spot ducks and swans.

As you continue north, you’ll find a beautiful boathouse. If the cafe is open, it’s a great spot to take a break with a drink and a snack while enjoying the lovely scenery. Swans and ducks can also be seen here.

From April to October, don’t miss Smorgasburg, held every Sunday, where food trucks gather with a variety of offerings, including yakitori and okonomiyaki stands! The okonomiyaki stand even has omusoba, which is such a treat!

On Saturdays, there’s a farmers’ market held near the northern entrance of Prospect Park. There’s even a zoo within the park. With so many ways to enjoy it, it’s easy to see why locals love Prospect Park.

Spring, with its beautiful flowers, is also a great time to visit. In May, there’s the FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR* event, so why not check out the park while you’re in the area for the event?

*FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR
https://globalride.jp/category/en/event-en/world-en/bny-en/

Prospect Park
https://www.prospectpark.org/

Text_Yoshiko Sugimoto

Profile

Yoshiko Sugimoto
Born in Tokyo. Residing in New York since 1988. She writes about fashion, fashion business, retail business, cooking, and adult relationships. As a beauty food researcher, she develops recipes. While enjoying urban life through dining out, attending concerts, and watching theater, she finds solace in the nature of parks and suburbs. She occasionally cheers for table tennis and maintains her physical and mental well-being through the slow movements and breathing of Tai Chi.