Politics & Government

Markowitz Trashes Proposal to Ban Cars from Prospect Park

The Borough President supports the right to drive in the park.

Many have lauded a city councilmember’s efforts , but don’t count Borough President Marty Markowitz among them.

Today Markowitz issued a statement supporting the right to drive in Brooklyn’s second-largest park.

“I agree with Mayor Bloomberg in opposing changes proposed under this new bill, and believe the existing limited access for automobiles in Prospect Park sufficiently balances the needs of all users,” Markowitz said in a statement.

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On Tuesday, Councilmember Gail Brewer submitted a bill that would ban cars from Prospect and Central parks at all times, setting the stage for showdown between local parkgoers and drivers from father flung neighborhoods who use the park as a shortcut.

“People are using these parks by the millions,” Brewer said. “ I’ m a big believer that without the cars you have more pedestrian safety, bicycle safety and air safety."

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Park goers were thrilled by the idea, but Markowitz said the bill is unfair to drivers.

Currently cars are banned from the park all times except during rush hour – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. This schedule was decided on as a compromise, after Brewer proposed an initial version of the car-free bill in 2006. The bill then made it as far as a Transportation Committee hearing.

In the same year, the Department of Transportation introduced a six-month pilot program to increase the number of car-free hours in the park. While the project was deemed “successful,” a 2007 study of the program revealed that reduced car traffic in the park resulted in increased traffic on Prospect Park West and Prospect Park Southwest (but decreased traffic on other roadways surrounding the park).

“In many respects, the goal of having a car-free Prospect Park is a laudable one,” said Markowitz. “However, as the borough president I must represent all Brooklyn residents, including those who drive through Prospect Park as well as those who reside near the park that may be negatively impacted by additional restrictions.”


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