Walk to Clean up Prospect Park

Hurricane Irene brought some vicious winds, tearing down at least 150 trees in Prospect Park.

Teams of arborists from the Prospect Park Alliance and the Department of Parks and Recreation have been cutting fallen trees, whose trunks were splayed across roads and pathways throughout the park, and feeding them into big red wood chippers.

Also, a lot of the landscape was been effected by the uprooted or fallen trees and from flooding.

This Sunday September 18, starting at 9 a.m., is the PPA’s Walk for Prospect Park Walk-a-thon to help fund Hurricane Irene's clean up. The 5K route will start at 15th Street and Prospect Park West (Bartel Pritchard entrance) and will end in the same location.  

“The Prospect Park Walk-a-thon is such a great way for people to come out and help the park. There are families, neighbors and groups of friends who have formed teams and are walking together,” said Emily Lloyd, PPA president and park administrator.

The second annual walk-a-thon is open to all ages and abilities. Adult walkers can sign up early for $10 and children under 12 for only $5.

Fundraising is highly suggested, as the PPA's goal is to raise $20,000, which is $5,000 more than last year's walk-a-thon. The individual who raises the most money will get a $100 gift card to Modell's, as well as the family who raises the most. The team that brings in the most cash will get $25 gift cards for each member (up to 32 members).

A number of local businesses have sponsored the event, but the Brooklyn Community Foundation has promised it will match each dollar raised up to $25,000.

“Prospect Park has long been Brooklyn's great green heart, and it is up to all of us to make sure that the park continues to be a great space for everyone to enjoy,” said Marilyn Gelber, president of the BCF. “The [BCF] is Brooklyn's leading charitable organization, and we are here in storms and sunshine to help our community rebound and become even stronger and more beautiful than before. 

“We’re thrilled to match donations to the walk-a-thon, and encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to 'Do Good Right Here,' for their park and their community!” Gelber said.