Prospect Park's Beloved But Derelict Bridge Has Been Overdue for a Makeover for Decades
A crumbling bridge in Prospect Park, built by renowned landscape architect Calvert Vaux in 1890, is in dire need of repair. The iconic structure, which connects visitors to Smorgasburg and allows them to traverse the sprawling park, has been in disrepair for over a decade due to neglect.
Inspectors first deemed the bridge "poor" condition back in 2009, prompting the city Department of Transportation to launch a rehab project in 2020. However, pandemic-related delays have stalled the project, leaving the rusty green bridge with a forlorn atmosphere and a plethora of problems.
Graffiti-covered guardrails, water-eroded arches, and an overall sense of neglect have turned what was once a beautiful structure into a sad sight. The estimated cost of repairs is a whopping $35 million, sparking debate over whether the city should opt to replace the bridge with a new one or invest in restoring the original design.
Despite its state, the bridge remains safe according to recent inspections and has been partially fenced off to prevent vehicles from using it. However, locals like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, who has visited the park since he was five, are vocal about their desire for the existing structure to be preserved.
"I've seen turtles swimming in the lake," Ortigoza said, pointing at the water below. "A lot of people have grown up with it." Other locals, like 15-year-old Vincent Yuan, express admiration for Vaux's design and hope that the city will work to restore the bridge to its former glory.
The city transportation department has proposed replacing the bridge with a new one modeled after the original design, sparking concerns about historical preservation. However, officials say they're committed to restoring the aesthetics of the bridge while ensuring it serves the community for years to come.
"It looks like they really did put a lot of care into the structure and the design of the bridge," Yuan said. "They should go and try to repair it. This is a beautiful bridge." As for the millions invested in the park's infrastructure, locals hope that the city will prioritize preserving its most iconic features – including this beloved but derelict bridge.
A crumbling bridge in Prospect Park, built by renowned landscape architect Calvert Vaux in 1890, is in dire need of repair. The iconic structure, which connects visitors to Smorgasburg and allows them to traverse the sprawling park, has been in disrepair for over a decade due to neglect.
Inspectors first deemed the bridge "poor" condition back in 2009, prompting the city Department of Transportation to launch a rehab project in 2020. However, pandemic-related delays have stalled the project, leaving the rusty green bridge with a forlorn atmosphere and a plethora of problems.
Graffiti-covered guardrails, water-eroded arches, and an overall sense of neglect have turned what was once a beautiful structure into a sad sight. The estimated cost of repairs is a whopping $35 million, sparking debate over whether the city should opt to replace the bridge with a new one or invest in restoring the original design.
Despite its state, the bridge remains safe according to recent inspections and has been partially fenced off to prevent vehicles from using it. However, locals like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, who has visited the park since he was five, are vocal about their desire for the existing structure to be preserved.
"I've seen turtles swimming in the lake," Ortigoza said, pointing at the water below. "A lot of people have grown up with it." Other locals, like 15-year-old Vincent Yuan, express admiration for Vaux's design and hope that the city will work to restore the bridge to its former glory.
The city transportation department has proposed replacing the bridge with a new one modeled after the original design, sparking concerns about historical preservation. However, officials say they're committed to restoring the aesthetics of the bridge while ensuring it serves the community for years to come.
"It looks like they really did put a lot of care into the structure and the design of the bridge," Yuan said. "They should go and try to repair it. This is a beautiful bridge." As for the millions invested in the park's infrastructure, locals hope that the city will prioritize preserving its most iconic features – including this beloved but derelict bridge.
I remember going there as a kid with my grandparents back in the day (lol) and we'd always walk across it to get to Smorgasburg. It was like a rite of passage, you know? And now it's just... sad 
. I mean, $35 million is a lot of cash, but think about all the history and character that bridge has! 
Just because it needs some TLC doesn't mean we gotta tear it down and replace it with something new. Can't they just fix it up and make it shine like it did back in the day? 
I'm with Jose and Vincent on this one – let's preserve the beauty of the old bridge, not just for tourists but for the locals who've grown up with it too 
.
The city should be trying to find a way to restore it, not just slap on some new paint and call it a day. And $35 million is a lot of cash 
, but I'd rather spend that money preserving something so special than building a brand new bridge from scratch.
. I mean, 35 million bucks is a lot, but can't we just slap some paint on it and make it look good again? 
It's not like it's gonna collapse or anything (according to the inspectors, at least). The fact that locals are fighting to keep it is telling - this bridge has been around since 1890, dude! It's like a piece of history. 
it's like, been neglected for way too long 
they need that $35 mil repair ASAP or else ppl will start avoiding the place 
can you even imagine walking across a rickety old bridge? not cool 
anyway, i'm all for preserving the original design - it's like vincent said, "it looks beautiful" 
and who doesn't love turtles swimming in the lake 
. cant they just fix it and be done with it? its not like its gonna collapse or anything. and whats the point of rebuilding it exactly? so it looks the same? who cares about some old design from 1890? its just a bridge, right? 
But I guess that's just how city planning goes sometimes. Fingers crossed they find a way to make it beautiful again 
, but 35 million dollars is a lot of cash 
, but at the same time, you gotta consider the cost 
!
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S STILL GOT SO MUCH HISTORY AND CHARACTER TO IT! 
IF THEY COULD JUST GET IT FIXED UP WITHOUT ERASING ALL THE CHARMS OF THE ORIGINAL BRIDGE, THAT WOULD BE PERFECT! 
. Not only would that respect the historical significance of the bridge, but it would also show that we're committed to preserving our cultural heritage for future generations. Plus, think about all the amazing photos you could take of turtles swimming in the lake... it's a no-brainer! 
. And don't even get me started on the cost. I'm all for preserving history and all that, but come on, can't we find a way to make it more affordable? 
we should totally try to fix it instead of replacing it 
$35 million is a lot of cash 2 fix it & ppl r debating if they shd just build a new one 2 preserve the original design tho 
locals like jose & vincent are all about savin the bridge 4 sentimental reasons lol they've grown up with it & wanna see turtles swimmin in da lake 
i think we should def invest in restoring it to its former glory instead of building a new one 
can you even imagine visiting smorgasburg without being able to walk across the old bridge? 
what do u guys think we should do with this baby? 
But at the same time, I get why people want to preserve it. I mean, it's been around for over a century – that's some serious history right there! The thing is, what if this is just a smokescreen? What if they're tryin' to distract us from somethin' else while they work on the bridge? It's all too convenient, if you ask me 
. And these locals are really passionate about preserving it, I get it, it's like their own backyard or something 
. Anyway, I think the city should try to find a balance between preserving the original design and making sure it's safe for people to use