Proposed skate park stirs controversy at Mount Prospect Park

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)– Imagine a playful pup wagging its tail happily, blissfully unaware of the brewing controversy nearby.

That's the scene at Mount Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where a proposed skate park has thrown residents into a heated debate.

On one side stands Benjamin Lowe, co-chair of Friends of Mount Prospect Park. He shares the concerns of many residents who cherish the park's green haven.

"We care deeply about this green space," Lowe emphasizes. "This plan would put down 40,000 square feet of concrete, a tremendous loss." Determined to protect the park, he spearheads a petition, urging community involvement and preservation of the natural landscape.

Lowe's concerns stem from a lack of community involvement. "It's surprising," he says, "that the community wasn't asked whether we wanted this facility."

However, Mayor Adams' vision paints a different picture. His State of the City address unveiled a partnership with Tony Hawk's "The Skatepark Project" to tackle the lack of recreation spaces in underserved communities.

The plan? Build four new skate parks within three years, including one in Mount Prospect Park.

Councilmember Crystal Hudson champions the initiative, highlighting the minimal impact on the existing green space. "The park will actually be enhanced," she assures, "with needed upgrades and lighting."

But for residents like Lowe, the equation is far from balanced. The proposed skate park remains a source of division. "There's not enough green space in Brooklyn," he argues. "We need to preserve and invest in it, not cover it with concrete."

Councilmember Hudson assures that the public process hasn't begun yet, welcoming everyone's input.

Whether the park will become a haven for skaters or remain a sanctuary of green is a question only time and community voices can answer.