Here’s a sampling of events, special and ongoing, this month at Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s favorite greenspace:
Special Events
Open House, October 4-5, 12 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Explore the architecture of Lefferts Historic House from attic to cellar in a one-hour tour of this farmhouse, built in 1783, focusing on its structure. Usually given for a charge of $10, this architecture tour is free this weekend as part of Open House New York. Only 10 people per tour. Reservations encouraged. Free. Call 718-789 2822 extension 10 for reservations and information. For other Open House New York events, go to www.ohny.org.
Volunteer Information Session, October 8, 4-5 p.m., Lefferts Historic House, meet in the first floor conference room of the historic Litchfield Villa, 95 Prospect Park West, between Fourth & Fifth streets: Explore a wide range of exciting and interesting volunteer opportunities at Prospect Park. Participate by contributing your time, energy, and talents to the park. You’ll learn some history, gain some skills, and have a great time. Anyone can participate, regardless of physical abilities.
Morning Bird Walk – Sparrows And Late Migrants, October 5, 8-10.a.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center: Do all sparrows look the same to you? Look closer and discover some of Prospect Park’s 13 sparrow species. Learn about sparrow identification, their beautiful markings, and endearing habits. Early October is also a good time for late migrant flycatchers and warblers. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club. Audubon Center; free.
Design Trust For Public Space Exhibit – Reinventing Grand Army Plaza, daily, Grand Army Plaza: The Design Trust for Public Space, in partnership with the Grand Army Plaza Coalition, launched an open, international ideas competition in February 2008 to generate visionary designs for transforming the Plaza.
The competition attracted attention from around the world and resulted in over 200 submissions. A free public exhibition will showcase these top visions. The first exhibition to be mounted in the center of the Plaza, at the fountain, these designs show how to make Grand Army Place function better for the community.
On weekends look for outdoor seating, where snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, go to www.designtrust.org/projects/project_08gapco.html.
It’s My Park! Fall Cleanup Day, daily, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., meet at the base of Lookout Hill, on Center Drive near 16th Street/Prospect Park Southwest entrance: Volunteers will rake leaves, sweep paths, care for trees, and spruce up the areas around and on top of Lookout Hill, the Nethermead, and Center Drive to prepare for the annual Halloween Haunted Walk and Carnival.
For more, call 718-965-8960 or send an email to volunteers@prospectpark.org.
Halloween Weekend
At Prospect Park
October 25-26
Annual Saturday Haunted Walk & Carnival, October 25, 12-3 p.m., start at 16th Street & Prospect Park Southwest: The beloved Haunted Walk is back and scarier than ever! Lurking deep in the forest are zombies, wolf men, headless horsemen, witches, and every other cool and creepy character imaginable. The Haunted Walk is suitable for young children accompanied by parents/guardians or older siblings; kid/kid friendly event.
Haunted Carousel, October 25-26, 12-5 p.m., Prospect Park Children’s Corner: Take a spooky spin on the Carousel. Creepy bats, ravens, and spiders ride along with you to the sounds of chilling Halloween music. $1.50 per ride; kid/kid friendly event.
Scary Stories From The Past, October 25-26, 12-5 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Make sure you’re sitting next to someone braver than you! Form a circle and listen to master storyteller Tammy Hall keep the tradition of scary stories alive with “The Legend of Pope’s Lane,” “The Domine’s Ride,” and more. Free; kid/kid friendly event.
Skeleton Cut-Outs, October 25-26, 1-4 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Make your own Halloween headbands using the traditional Scharen-Knippen paper-cutting art form; kid/kid friendly event.
Ongoing Events
Take a Ride on the Prospect Park Historic Carousel, Prospect Park Children’s Corner, inside the Park’s Willink entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard: The carousel is open Thursdays through Sundays and school holidays, 12-5 p.m., and is $1.50 per ride; $8 for a book of six tickets; kid/kid friendly event.
Electric Boat Tours, every Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse: Take an enchanting guided tour aboard the whisper-quiet electric boat “Independence.” Tour the Lullwater, one of Prospect Park’s most scenic habitats for flora and fauna, and Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. Tours last 20 minutes and start every half-hour; $6 for ages 13 and up and $3 for ages 3-12. Children under three ride free; kid/kid friendly event.
Sewing Club, every Friday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Learn basic sewing techniques by starting a patchwork quilt at this intergenerational drop-in program. All skill levels welcome. Free; kid/kid friendly event.
Introduction to Birdwatching, every Saturday, 12-1:30 p.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center: Prospect Park has more than 200 species of birds. Take a guided tour and find out why the National Audubon Society has designated Prospect Park an Important Bird Area; free.
Early American Crafts & Games, every Saturday and Sunday, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Make arts and crafts the old fashioned way. Lefferts Historic House. Free; kid/kid friendly event.
Discover Tours, every Saturday and Sunday, 3-4 p.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse: Learn how to look for birds and explore the secrets of nature on this expert-guided walk through the park’s most scenic landscapes. The tour theme for September is “Ravenous Raptors.”
Learn how talon-wielding birds of pretty use Prospect Park as a bountiful hunting ground. Free; kid/kid friendly event.
Nature Crafts, every Saturday and Sunday, 1-3 p.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center: Looking for something to do with the kids? Teacher/naturalists at the Audubon Center are available each weekend, leading structured, fun, and engaging arts activities for children. Kids create toys, puppets, and more, using all-natural materials — and it doesn’t cost a thing; kid/kid friendly event.
Nature Babies, every Monday, 10-11:15 a.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse: Nature Babies is a delightful, nature-themed music, storytelling and crafts program for one- to three-year-olds and their caregivers. Prepay to receive a special introductory rate. Call 718-287-3400 extension 114 to register; kid/kid friendly event.
General Information
Enter the park at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Parkside & Ocean avenues, or Flatbush Avenue & Empire Boulevard (Willink entrance) and follow the directional signs.
For more, call 718-965-8999, or 718-965-8960 for directions to all volunteering destinations, or go to www.prospectpark.org.
