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Prospect Park's secluded Vale of Cashmere getting long-awaited upgrade
By
Liam Quigley
Published Mar 16, 2026
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Courtesy NYC Parks Department
By
Liam Quigley
Published Mar 16, 2026
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A secluded corner of Prospect Park that’s a popular spot for birdwatchers is about to undergo a transformation.
The city parks department on Monday announced plans to overhaul the eight-acre Vale of Cashmere on the northeastern side of the park.
The area once had fountains and a rose garden that dated back to the 1890s, but fell into disrepair over the years due to neglect. Its position in the park and geography carved by ancient glaciers make it elusive for the novice park visitor, which once made it a popular cruising spot for people looking for anonymous hookups.
Parks officials said they plan a $37.5 million project to overhaul the space, and build a new play area for kids as well as a pavilion that will include eight composting bathrooms. The restrooms don’t hook up to the sewer system and instead rely on natural bacteria to break down human waste into a soil-like material.
The work is expected to finish in fall of 2027, and parks officials said the area will retain its status as a tranquil retreat while making it accessible and better suited to serve more parkgoers.
Still, some birders worried the work will compromise the Vale’s status as one of the best habitats in the park for migratory birds.
“ I can't help but be a little pessimistic that it's going to change it and it's not going to be what it was,” said birdwatcher Chris Miller, who arrived at the Vale on Monday to see the project was underway. “But at the end of the day, I'm not in control of the decisions. I don't have the money. I'm just a visitor.”
Parks department commissioner Tricia Shimamura said the work has been planned for years. Studies for the project began in 2017, and the bulk of the funding for the project was allocated by the city in 2021, with another portion coming through a separate state grant. The project also had to work its way through landmark and design approvals before construction could start.
Liam Quigley / Gothamist
“ There's just so many pieces of this that are so important. It's also recognizing the historical significance of this area and what it's meant to Brooklynites over generations,” Shimamura said.
Morgan Monaco, president of the Prospect Park Alliance, said she appreciates how important the space is for its admirers.
“It's kind of a hidden gem,” she said. “We've got these wooded natural areas. It's a real bird sanctuary and a haven for bird watchers, and then there's also a wonderful history within the LGBTQ community. It was a really welcoming gathering spot for that community.”
While the alliance said many trees would be removed to accommodate the new design, a good portion are invasive or suffering from diseases. The project will see the planting of 918 new trees. The alliance said it would follow federal guidelines and hire a certified arborist to survey for nests and would establish a 100-foot buffer zone with a stop-work order until the birds leave their nests.
The work to transform the Vale will require the closure of a significant portion of nearby Nellie’s lawn, parks officials said.
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Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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