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Spring awakening: Prospect Park celebrates with a massive array of outdoor events!

Spring awakening: Prospect Park celebrates with a massive array of outdoor events!
John von Pamer

Prospect Park’s Spring Fling fair and old-timey baseball exhibition are only two of a whopping 17 outdoor events set to happen in the park this weekend. The green space will feature a huge variety of fun events, according to its chief steward.

“From the Brooklyn Atlantics exhibition baseball game, a roller disco at Lakeside, to children’s activities at Lefferts Historic House and the family-friendly fair in the Children’s Corner, there is something for absolutely everyone in our community to enjoy this weekend in Prospect Park,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue.

Friday, May 17

Lola Star’s Dreamland Disco

Jump start your Spring Fling weekend with the ’90s-themed “Beverly Hills 90210” Lola Star Dreamland Roller Disco Skating Party at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside! Skate ‘till you drop, while pro rollers show off their skills, and throwback contests remind you of your Generation-X glory days! This event will sell out, so get your tickets in advance.

Roll out at LeFrak Center at Lakeside (171 East Dr. near Ocean Avenue in Prospect Park, prospectpark.org/lola). 7:30–10:30 p.m. $20. Must be 21 or older.

Saturday, May 18

Brooklyn Half Marathon Cheer Station

Join other track fans to cheer on the runners in the 2019 Brooklyn Half Marathon as they cut through Prospect Park on their way to Coney Island!

Cheer on the runners at Park Circle (Prospect Park Southwest at Parkside Avenue). 7–10 a.m. Free.

Early Morning Bird Walk

Take a gander at Prospect Park’s avian population in this early morning tour brought to you by the Prospect Park Alliance and the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Go looky-loons at Prospect Park’s Ocean and Parkside entrance (at Ocean and Parkside avenues in Prospect Park, www.prospectpark.org). 7:15 a.m. Free.

Prospect Park Grill Out

Grand Army Plaza’s weekly GrowNYC greenmarket will serve meat in honor of Spring Fling, grilling up tasty treats sourced from greenmarket farmers.

Grab a bite at Grand Army Plaza (Plaza Street West near West Drive in Prospect Park).11 a.m.–1 p.m. Free.

Intro to Birdwatching

Brooklyn Bird Club gull gurus will teach locals how to spot the wide variety of birds who pass through Prospect Park.

Learn the ABCs of birdwatching at Prospect Park Audubon Center (101 East Dr. near Prospect Park Lake in Prospect Park, www.prospectpark.org/audubon). Noon. Free

Harvesting Color and marionettes

Embark on an adventure in the colors that bring life to our natural world, using a natural pallete of flowers, berries and other edibles to naturally dye fabrics. Bring one cotton, linen, canvas, or silk piece of clothing, and sign up early for this first-come, first-served event. Before the action, you can take in a performance by the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater.

Dye with berries at Lefferts Historic House (452 Flatbush Ave. near Empire Boulevard in Prospect Park, www.prospectpark.org/lefferts). 1 p.m. performance. 2–4 p.m. workshops, $3 suggested donation.

Sunday, May 19

Art and Architecture Tour

Discover the unlikely architectural wonders of Brooklyn’s Backyard with this two-hour tour, courtesy of Turnstile Tours.

Explore the park, starting at Grand Army Plaza [Flatbush Avenue at Prospect Park West, (347) 903–8687, www.turnstiletours.com]. 10:30 a.m. $20.

Trail Run

Join the Prospect Park track club for a chill jaunt through the woodsy trails of Brooklyn’s Backyard.

Join the jog at the Prospect Park Wellhouse (200 Well House Dr. near West Drive in Prospect Park) 10–11:30 am. Free.

It’s My Park! Day

Pitch in to help keep Prospect Park clean and participate in the park’s biggest community cleanup of the season.

Advance registration required at www.prospectpark.org/volunteer. 10 am–1 pm. Free.

Smorgasburg Prospect Park

Chow down at this weekly festival of food, featuring more than 100 local and regional vendors.

Grab a bite at Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill (Well House Drive near Prospect Park Lake in Prospect Park). 11 am–6 pm. Free.

Spring Blooms

Celebrate Spring with the art of paper flower making, at the Lefferts Historic House, while taking in some traditional folk songs courtesy of Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Bluegrass Jam Ensemble.

Make paper flowers at the Lefferts Historic House (452 Flatbush Ave. near Empire Boulevard in Prospect Park). 1–4 pm. $3 suggested donation.

“Molière in the Park: The Misanthrope”

A stellar cast of stage actors read the French playwright’s comedy of manners “The Misanthrope.”

Take in a reading at Lefrak Center at Lakeside (171 East Dr. near Ocean Avenue in Prospect Park, moliereinthepark.org). 7 pm. Free.

All Weekend

Nature Exploration

Join the Prospect Park Alliance’s animal experts at the Audubon center, and meet some real-life furballs!

Learn about animals at Prospect Park Audubon Center (101 East Dr. near Prospect Park Lake in Prospect Park). 10 am–1 pm. Free.

Wild and Wooly Festival

Catch the thrilling spectacle of a professional sheep shearing, and discover how Mongolian goat herders are pitching in to help the environment.

Prospect Park Zoo (450 Flatbush Ave. near Empire Boulevard in Prospect Park www.prospectparkzoo.com). 10 am–4 pm. Admission $9.95 ($6.95 kids). Activities free.

Boating, Biking, and Roller Skating

The LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers boating, biking and rollerskating events all weekend.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside (171 East Dr. near Ocean Avenue in Prospect Park, prospectpark.org/lakeside). Hours and prices vary.

Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505.
Feathered friends: Kings County bird watchers will find plenty to do at Prospect Park over the weekend, when the Brooklyn Bird Club will host several tours amid the meadow’s Spring Fling event series.
Prospect Park Alliance