Dog Beach, at Long Meadow in Prospect Park, has reopened much earlier than expected. Dogs can again use the swimming area during the hours that they are allowed to be off their leashes in the park.
Restoration and reconstruction began in early July; the beach wasn't scheduled to reopen until early 2017. During the project, pavement was replaced with natural stone slabs, chain link fencing was replaced with underwater fencing that separates dogs from wildlife, and invasive plants were replaced with native ones.
Off-leash hours in Prospect Park are every day from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. During those off-leash hours, dogs are also allowed off-leash at the Long Meadow, Nethermead, and the Peninsula.
The Brooklyn Borough President’s office, councilmembers Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, and the Brooklyn Delegation provided funding for the project.