Garbage Vandals Leave Prospect Park Strewn With Trash: Alliance

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Park staff and neighbors were left picking up huge amounts of garbage in Brooklyn's backyard on Wednesday after someone overturned nearly all of Prospect Park's trash cans.

The "significant act of vandalism" was discovered by the Prospect Park Alliance, which oversees the park, early Wednesday morning. Photos show trash strewn across the grass, walkways and even in the water at the dog pond.

"It is literally throughout the park — nearly all trash receptacles were overturned," Alliance spokesperson Deborah Kirschner told Patch.

Julie Baron, who took the photos shared by the Alliance, said she discovered the trash when walking with her daughter between 7:30 and 8 a.m. in the park. She noticed it near the 9th street and Prospect Park West entrance and closer to the ballfields, Baron said.

The Alliance was unsure who was behind the act and said the police were looking into it.

"We do not know who or why this was done, but the NYPD is investigating," Kirschner said.

The 78th Precinct, which oversees the park, said Wednesday afternoon that a "sole individual" who they still have not identified was responsible for knocking over the garbage cans.

The development came after police sources initially told an NBC reporter the vandalism was related to a rally following the conviction of Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, which Brooklynites are quick to point out was unlikely.

The vandalism comes after a tough year for Prospect Park, which, like many of New York City's park grounds faced the financial strain of the coronavirus crisis while more New Yorkers than ever used the outdoor oasis.

Last year, the organization lost $3.2 million in revenue from March through June, had to lay-off or furlough 20 staff members and hold off on hiring season staffers who care for the park in the spring and summer.

Like last year, the Alliance has encouraged neighbors to help by signing up to volunteer.