PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Nobody was able to coast through this meeting. Both sides were determined to cut an edge.
Proponents of the proposed “Brooklyn Skate Garden,” slated to be built in Mount Prospect Park, were met with the opposition — in addition to a significant share of supporters — Monday evening in the auditorium of St. Frances De Sales School for the Deaf (located at 260 Eastern Parkway).
The “Community Engagement meeting” was the first official public gathering and comprised several hundred local residents and representatives from The New York City Parks Department, the mayor’s office and The Skatepark Project — as well as Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Councilmember Crystal Hudson (D-35, representing Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and parts of Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant).
The atmosphere was fiery but, for the most part, respectful.
It began with information presented by the Parks Department, Skatepark Project, Councilmember Hudson and their constituents regarding the proposed Skate Park — its history and future plans.
“Today, we are excited to present to everyone this evening the plans for a Skate Garden in Mt. Prospect Park,” Hudson said, followed by an onslaught of boos and cheers.
The proposed 40,000 square foot, $11,165,000 Skate Garden is expected to be a custom poured-in-place concrete park built from the ground up — fitted with security lighting, spectator seating, community gardens and space for programming to be integrated into…
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