A neglected gem in Prospect Park is crying out for a refresh. The Terrace Bridge, designed by Calvert Vaux in 1890 and hailed as the centerpiece of an envisioned restaurant complex, has been left to decay under its partially fenced-off overgrowth.
The once-sleek span, now weathered with rust and graffiti, has been deemed "poor" condition since 2009. Despite this, it wasn't until 2020 that the city Department of Transportation launched a rehabilitation project, which is still mired in planning due to pandemic-related setbacks. A preliminary design phase, however, suggests two possible paths: repairing the existing structure or replacing it with an exact replica.
The thought of demolishing and rebuilding such a storied landmark might seem drastic, but officials consider it a viable option if repairs are deemed too costly – a whopping $35 million estimate suggests. For now, pedestrians continue to cross over, while drivers are discouraged from using the bridge due to additional barriers erected around it.
For park-goers like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, the Terrace Bridge holds sentimental value. "I used to just walk around there trying to catch turtles," he reminisces. Others share his affection for the peaceful atmosphere of the area, where many have grown up coming to practice music or simply enjoy the scenery.
While some advocate for preserving the historic bridge, others hope a renovation will breathe new life into this once-grand structure. As one parkgoer noted, "I like that New York government keeps this safe for history, for heritage." The question remains: how long can Prospect Park's beloved Terrace Bridge wait before it gets the TLC it so desperately needs?
The once-sleek span, now weathered with rust and graffiti, has been deemed "poor" condition since 2009. Despite this, it wasn't until 2020 that the city Department of Transportation launched a rehabilitation project, which is still mired in planning due to pandemic-related setbacks. A preliminary design phase, however, suggests two possible paths: repairing the existing structure or replacing it with an exact replica.
The thought of demolishing and rebuilding such a storied landmark might seem drastic, but officials consider it a viable option if repairs are deemed too costly – a whopping $35 million estimate suggests. For now, pedestrians continue to cross over, while drivers are discouraged from using the bridge due to additional barriers erected around it.
For park-goers like 15-year-old Jose Ortigoza, the Terrace Bridge holds sentimental value. "I used to just walk around there trying to catch turtles," he reminisces. Others share his affection for the peaceful atmosphere of the area, where many have grown up coming to practice music or simply enjoy the scenery.
While some advocate for preserving the historic bridge, others hope a renovation will breathe new life into this once-grand structure. As one parkgoer noted, "I like that New York government keeps this safe for history, for heritage." The question remains: how long can Prospect Park's beloved Terrace Bridge wait before it gets the TLC it so desperately needs?
. I remember walking across it with my grandkids when they were young. They loved playing on the grassy slopes, and we'd have picnics under the shade of those trees. It's amazing how much character that bridge still has, but yeah, $35 million is a pretty steep price to pay for repairs 
. I think preserving its original design would be worth it, not just because of the history, but also because it's such an iconic part of Prospect Park. Maybe they could find some creative solutions that wouldn't break the bank? 
I get why they wanna fix it, but at the same time, I can see why people would want to preserve its history and stuff. I mean, it's not just any old bridge, it's from 1890! 
It's like, what do you do? 
. i mean, calvert vaux was all about creatin somethin special back in 1890, and now they're thinkin about tearin it down? that's just not right 
. the parkgoers love it, and so do i 
. what's the hurry, tho?
u think demolishing & rebuildin is a bummer tho 
...i dont know if repair or replac is the way 2 go lol 
...can we get a lil bit of both? 
I hope they get it sorted out soon, because right now it's really letting down the whole Prospect Park vibe.
i was walkin thru there last wknd and saw all dis overgrown stuff, its like they forgot about it lol. but 4 real tho, $35 mil is CRAZY expensive, cant belive we gotta spend that much to fix it. idk wut the diff b/w rebuildin it exact or just reparin the exting part tho...id like 2 see more pics of the design tho 
. but i def feel those who wanna keep it as it is, its got sentimental value 4 sure. lets hop they get it done soon tho, ppl r startin 2 forget bout it 
. Either fix it or replace it – I mean, who needs that much time and drama? 
It's not like the turtles are gonna be there forever 
. A fresh coat of paint wouldn't kill anyone either... or a new design to match the 90s vibes 
.
. And it's not like they're using it for anything right now anyway... just a barrier on the side of the park. I mean, I can see why some people want it renovated or replaced if it's beyond repair, but let's at least try to preserve its original charm before we give up on it 
. Plus, it's not like they're gonna build a new one that looks exactly like it, right? It's been around for 135 years! 
. but at the same time, if it's literally falling apart, maybe a rebuild isn't so bad? 
! think about it, people were probably like "yeah, let's build this thing and then just forget about it in 50 years" 
. It's got so much history and character. I mean, have you seen the design? Calvert Vaux was a genius, and to just rip it out would be a total loss 
. It's not just about the money; it's about keeping something for future generations to enjoy 
. I mean, it's been around since 1890! You'd think the city would be all over restoring it to its former glory by now. I feel for Jose and everyone else who grew up with the bridge – it's more than just a structure, it's a part of their history and memories 
. The city should definitely find a way to give it some TLC before it's too late. I mean, who wants to see this beautiful bridge fall into disrepair? Not me, that's for sure 
.
? The history and nostalgia would be LITERALLY lost 
. Plus, $35 mil is a pretty penny 
! I get that it needs some TLC, but lets make sure we're gonna do it in a way that respects its past, not just copying what's old 
and the peace 
. The park is already losing so much charm... let's preserve the Terrace Bridge for future generations! 
The rust and graffiti are a total bummer, but you can see the potential under all that grime 
. $35 million is a crazy estimate, though... maybe we could get some cool sponsors to step in and help 
. What do you guys think? Should they just bring back the original Calvert Vaux design or create something entirely new? 
I get why they wanna save the historic vibe, but sometimes you gotta think about what's best for the space. Do we really need an exact replica? 
And what about all those turtles?! 
A fresh coat of paint, some new lighting, and maybe a few tweaks to the design – that's what I'd do! 
. Plus, think about all the history and character the bridge has - it's not just some old thing, it's part of the park's charm 
i mean who wouldn't want to see that historic gem restored to its former glory?! $35 million might seem like a lot but can you even put a price on something with so much sentimental value? 