A crumbling centerpiece in Prospect Park's landscape has been languishing under neglect for nearly a decade. The iconic Terrace Bridge, built by Calvert Vaux in 1890, serves as the crowning jewel of the park's design, but its once-sturdy structure now stands precariously, shrouded in weeds and covered in rusty green grime.
Inspectors deemed it "poor" condition back in 2009, prompting a city Department of Transportation project that has yet to reach fruition due to pandemic-related delays. The $35 million estimated repair cost pales in comparison to the millions poured into the park's renovations over the years, leaving this neglected bridge as an anachronism.
Despite its forlorn state, locals continue to cherish the Terrace Bridge, with some even using it as a makeshift practice space. Teenagers like Vincent Yuan and Jose Ortigoza recall spending hours playing saxophone or practicing singing beneath the arches, where the sounds of the city seem miles away. The bridge's guardrails are now graffiti-covered, its arches leaking water, and pedestrians have taken to surrounding sections with caution tape.
However, officials assure that the bridge is safe – for now. The Transportation Department has deemed it "safe" after a 2024 inspection, but barriers are in place to discourage vehicles from using the bridge, citing concerns over potential safety hazards.
As plans move forward, some stakeholders are calling for restoration rather than replacement. Parkgoer Kate Demidovich expressed hope that authorities would prioritize preserving the existing structure's aesthetic and historical significance. For others, like Will Livingston, a Transportation Department spokesperson, the decision hinges on weighing rehabilitation versus replacement options – with an emphasis on replicating Vaux's original design intent.
The Terrace Bridge's revitalization project may be years away from completion, but its fate holds significant implications for this beloved New York landmark and its cherished community.
Inspectors deemed it "poor" condition back in 2009, prompting a city Department of Transportation project that has yet to reach fruition due to pandemic-related delays. The $35 million estimated repair cost pales in comparison to the millions poured into the park's renovations over the years, leaving this neglected bridge as an anachronism.
Despite its forlorn state, locals continue to cherish the Terrace Bridge, with some even using it as a makeshift practice space. Teenagers like Vincent Yuan and Jose Ortigoza recall spending hours playing saxophone or practicing singing beneath the arches, where the sounds of the city seem miles away. The bridge's guardrails are now graffiti-covered, its arches leaking water, and pedestrians have taken to surrounding sections with caution tape.
However, officials assure that the bridge is safe – for now. The Transportation Department has deemed it "safe" after a 2024 inspection, but barriers are in place to discourage vehicles from using the bridge, citing concerns over potential safety hazards.
As plans move forward, some stakeholders are calling for restoration rather than replacement. Parkgoer Kate Demidovich expressed hope that authorities would prioritize preserving the existing structure's aesthetic and historical significance. For others, like Will Livingston, a Transportation Department spokesperson, the decision hinges on weighing rehabilitation versus replacement options – with an emphasis on replicating Vaux's original design intent.
The Terrace Bridge's revitalization project may be years away from completion, but its fate holds significant implications for this beloved New York landmark and its cherished community.
it's like they're forgettin about that iconic Terrace Bridge 
... $35 million is a pretty penny, but think of all the character it brings to the park! 
instead of fixin it up they should just leave it be and let people use it as a impromptu practice space like some teens are doin 
... I mean I get where officials wanna keep ppl safe, but can't we find a way to make it work? 
... anyway back to Prospect Park's bridge... i think it's kinda weird dat ppl are already using it like a practice space 
... can u imagine playin sax or singin under dat old arch? 
but 4 real, dey gotta fix dat thing b4 summat bad happens 
... de $35 million price tag is crazy though 
u think it's wroth it tho?
. It's been neglecting it for ages, & now we're paying the price ($35 million +). I mean, what's the point of renovating other parts of the park if not this iconic centerpiece? Locals are still using it as a practice space, tho - that's some dedication 
. We need to preserve this bridge's aesthetic & history, not replace it with some bland, modern alternative. Come on, @NYCDOT, what's the holdup?! 
the terrace bridge is like a sad love story 
but its condition is super poor 
needs repair ASAP 
$35 million is a lot of cash 
but restoring it would be even better 
but i'm not so sure 
what about the water leaking from arches? 
or graffiti-covered guardrails? 
can't we fix it instead of replacing it? 
and will it still look cool like it did back in the day? 
like rehab vs replace 
I'm literally so down for the restoration plan! The Terrace Bridge is like an iconic NYC symbol and it's heartbreaking to see it in such a state 
. Can't we just restore it to its former glory? 
, EVEN IF THE STRUCTURE IS FALLING APART. RESTORATION OVER REPLACEMENT COULD BE THE WAY TO GO - IT'D BE TRAGIC TO LOSE THAT HISTORICAL SIGNATURE COMPLETELY 
. AND CAN WE PLEASE JUST GET THOSE PAINT CHIPS COVERED UP ALREADY??? 
. I mean, $35 million is a pretty penny, especially considering all the other renovations they've done to the park in recent years 
? It's just sad that people are saying it's safe for now, but I'm not convinced 
.
Teenagers are always finding ways to make the most of things 
. But seriously, we need to get this bridge fixed ASAP before it's too late #FixItBeforeItBreaks. And can we PLEASE prioritize preserving its aesthetic and historical significance? 
The fact that officials are already talking about replacement instead of restoration just shows how out of touch they are with the community's concerns.
i think it's great that locals like Vincent and Jose have found a way to make the most of it, using it as a makeshift practice space - it shows that even in neglect, there's still beauty to be found 
. But at the same time, I get why they wanna fix it up - it's gotta be creepy walking across it with all the rusty green grime and stuff 
. And yeah, $35 million seems like a lot...but maybe if they just do some TLC, it'll be good as new? Fingers crossed the city can make this happen without messing up the vibe of the park too much