Lakeside Development meeting recap

I wasn't able to attend last night's meeting about the Prospect Park Lakeside Project, so I asked Celeste on Ocean to let me know her take on the affair. Here's her off-the-cuff reply:

The meeting was good! I was very much encouraged by the progress they are making. At this point, they have $46M of the $60M needed for the entire project. They intend to start on Phase I of recovery and revitalization of the Lakeshore  (which, btw, is a related but separate project from the Lakeside development) this fall.   
 
Although the economic crisis has caused them to do some cutting back and redesign, they did a pretty good job of convincing us that the more disciplined new design is even better. For example, the skating rink pavilion has been reduced from 2 stories to one, so the elevation is much lower. (This probably doesn't seem like such a big deal unless you live on Ocean Avenue. The 2-story pavilion would have cut off views of the lake and replaced it with walls.)  They also talked a lot about revitalizing the Concert Grove with some new landscaping, repair of the terraces, returning sculptural pieces to the area and creating an open line of sight from the Concert Grove to the lake and Music Island. As for Music Island, it will be reclaimed and transformed into a wildlife sanctuary of sorts.

In line with previous plans, the Wollman Rink parking lot will be moved to Breeze Hill, and the entrance at Ocean and Parkside will be closed to vehicular traffic. Cars headed for the parking lot will instead enter at Lincoln and Ocean (now currently exit-only).

While there is some concern about additional traffic at Ocean and Lincoln (an intersection close to a playground), the closing of the Parkside entrance—one of the most dangerous intersections in Brooklyn for cyclists — is a welcome improvement.

Celeste continues: 

I must say, at this 3rd Community Meeting, I am finally convinced that this process is working! The architects and staff seem to really be listening to those of us who are giving input on the design.  Of course, with so many constituencies and competing interests to balance, not everyone is getting everything they want (the horse riders, for instance). But, in general, I believe they are actually listening to those members of the community who are bothering to attend these sessions and offering feedback...By the time this Lakeside Center/Lakeshore Project is completed, the PLG side of the Park is going to be simply spectacular!  As one of the presenters explained last night, this area of the Park, once the revitalization is completed, will rival the grandeur and stunning beauty of the Bethesda Terrace/Fountain area of Central Park. At the same time, it will be especially open and accessible to the surrounding community and Park visitors. And, of course, it will all be eco-friendly. Sounds (and looks) good to me!   

If you were at the meeting last night, please let us know your thoughts. Did we miss anything here?

Comments

[J]

As someone who is not thrilled with this project, I think this sounds very positive.

But I believe the park remains very project oriented and unresponsive to the poor upkeep on our side of the map.