Reimagine Prospect Park:
The Vale Restoration
With Prospect Park Alliance and Hester Street, Grain engaged thousands of community members in reimagining The Vale, located near the northeast corner of Prospect Park. This area, near several diverse neighborhoods, was less developed and offered fewer amenities than other sections of the park. We asked ourselves and stakeholders, “How can this green space play a role in providing more equitable access to an expanded community and create new opportunities for outdoor recreation?”
Our inclusive, multilingual public engagement approach ensured that diverse and often under-represented voices—including communities of color, young people, low-income families, and immigrants—were heard. The multi-phase process included over 30 events in the park and at trusted venues in adjacent neighborhoods, ranging from public workshops to informal focus groups, scavenger hunts, and walking tours. Our experience designing public open spaces enabled us to gather specific and actionable feedback, culminating in a community-driven vision that will transform The Vale into a vibrant space for gathering, learning, playing, and discovery.
