Did you know there's a fountain in the middle of Grand Army Plaza? And that it's really cool? I didn't--I was too overwhelmed by kamikaze drivers and the complicated criss-cross crosswalks to attempt exploring the elusive tree-lined island. So when I heard about the
contestto reimagine the traffic hub crowning Prospect Park, I figured any design had to be less frenzied than the current one. Showcasing the top 30 entries on Tyvek cubes ringing the fountain, the exhibit details the Plaza's history and envisioned futures. Imagine Flatbush Avenue running under a raised park, or 'stripes' of space for shops, cafés, outdoor markets, and reflecting pools. Changes both practical and fantastical have been presented to the Design Trust for Public Space, which sponsors the exhibit as well as the People's Choice Award for the most popular design (text your vote!). In a borough largely lost to heavy traffic and self-isolating cultural enclaves (that means you, Slope-mommies!), these designs glimpse at pedestrian-friendly, community-oriented public space. It's worth the terrifying trip into the plaza to see how different Brooklyn's future could be.
