Central Park Vs. Prospect Park

The Central Park, NYC

Recently, the New York Times printed an fun article called CENTRAL PARK VS PROSPECT PARK. in which two correspondents joust back and forth over the merits of their particular favorite park.

Having grown up in Brooklyn (the old Brooklyn, not the 'cool' Brooklyn) and gone ice skating in Prospect Park with Jonah and Emily and then moving to the Upper West Side for high school and hanging out in Central Park (anyone remember the 'Be In' there?) I feel I can add to their conversation.

Here is one side from the article :

 I have actually been to Prospect Park. It is, as I recall, in Brooklyn. I am sure that if I found myself near it again and had nothing better to do, I would be happy to watch the grass grow, or whatever it is people do there. But seriously. I look forward to sharing with you why Central Park is not only the most visited, most famous, most beloved, but also — wait, I’m going to need the caps lock button for this — THE GREATEST URBAN PARK ON EARTH.

Here is the other side:
 

prospect park boat house photo by Alexander Cascone

I’m sure Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the architects of both these parks, would be surprised by your surprise, as Prospect was their clear favorite. It’s widely understood among landscape architects that Central Park was a mere practice run, and Prospect Park the true masterpiece.

The truth is both parks are fabulous! Imagine having 2 parks designed by the great duo - Olmsted and Vaux - and growing up enjoying both. No wonder I am enthralled by great public park design.

Prospect Park Map