A popular concert series might be putting the ‘P’ in Prospect Park.
The Celebrate Brooklyn! series, which has already this year included such notables as David Byrne and Jackson Browne, has left the bucolic expanse a veritable “cesspool,” with “dozens of people” routinely transforming tree trunks into urinals, one disgusted local resident recently informed this newspaper.
“Prospect Park has become a garbage and a toilet for people,” according to the person, who decided to remain anonymous. “I can’t blame them, because you’re waiting on line [to use the bathroom] for 45 minutes, it’s a very long time and very unfair.”
But officials who make it their business to manage the park said the claim might be overblown.
Captain William Russo of the 78th Precinct said he’s heard of no complaints of public urination. During the concerts, more cops than usual fill the park, making such a brazen violation of the law even less likely, he said.
Still, Russo continued, cops are on the lookout, and will issue summonses where appropriate.
Eugene Patron, spokesperson for the Prospect Park Alliance, which manages the park along with the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said he too has heard of no complaints. There are dedicated men’s and ladies rooms for the events, he said, along with separate facilities backstage, and for Celebrate Brooklyn! members.
At press time, a representative of Celebrate Brooklyn!, a program of the non−profit Brooklyn Information and Culture (BRIC), did not return numerous calls for comment.
Craig Hammerman, district manager of Community Board 6, said he hasn’t heard any recent complaints of foul conditions in the park. Still he said, “It wouldn’t surprise me,” he said. “They offer such wonderful programming that they [the rest rooms] tend to be in great demand,” he offered. “That’s a good thing. It just means they need to be prepared for the crowds they get.”
