I Asked Neighbors What They Think About the Grand Army Plaza Redesign

➕Freddy's Bar history, a Park Slope coloring book, standup comedy for Planned Parenthood & more!

Inside Today’s Issue: A fascinating article on the history of Freddy’s Bar’s move to South Slope after being forced out of their location at Sixth Avenue and Dean Street, a Park Slope coloring book, Vato included on Michelin’s Spring 2026 teaser list, a workshop series on the redesign of Grand Army Plaza, NBA 2K26 kicks off at the Central Library for ages 14-17, standup for Planned Parenthood, and more!

Have a story idea or tip I should follow? Please email me! You can reply to this email or say hello at kelleymacdonald19@gmail.com. Thanks so much for being here!

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Hey! It’s a beautiful day in Park Slope. It almost makes up for the rainy weekend coming our way.

I live in North Slope, pretty close to Grand Army Plaza, so it’s not surprising that everyone on my block has been chatting about Mamdani’s proposed Grand Army Plaza redesign this week. I’ve heard every opinion, from “It’s going to make traffic worse — if that’s even possible” to “I wish they did this years ago! The current traffic flow around Grand Army Plaza is a nightmare.”

For today’s issue, I asked a few readers to share their opinions on the redesign. Here’s what they said:

I think it’s a great proposal that will particularly bring much-needed space to the Saturday Greenmarket, which is often really congested with foot traffic. It will also make crossing into the park far safer; as a parent, if I am navigating it solo with my five-year-old and two-year-old, it can be genuinely nerve-wracking. I’m also glad to see bike infrastructure is part of the plan. The crossing along Prospect Park West and Plaza Street W, where pedestrians meet the bike path on the way into the park, can be quite tricky, and I hope that gets careful attention too.

— Sophie Alfieri, Park Slope resident for 6 years

I can’t comment on how the plan will work for cars (as a lifelong New Yorker, I cannot drive), but as someone who has found myself flummoxed by how to get from the arch to the park countless times, it feels like a pretty natural conclusion for how the space should work!

— Hannah Berman, lived in Park Slope for 17 years

The City’s interest in making Grand Army Plaza safer and more accessible to the community is welcome. This popular hub requires creative thinking to achieve balance. Seeking input is a good start. This is not the first time the City has tried to modernize the Plaza, so we will have to take a wait-and-see attitude regarding its overall effectiveness.

— Anthony Vassallo, Park Slope resident since 1995

Most people understand that roads are barriers for pedestrians. That’s why so many people are in support of connecting the monument at Grand Army Plaza with Prospect Park. But I think it’s important for us to ask: at what cost?

The proposed plan does nothing to reduce the traffic at this complex intersection of six major thoroughfares and six other side streets. Rather, it concentrates and moves the traffic over to the east (poorer) side of the neighborhood. Flatbush Ave is the boundary between Park Slope and Prospect Heights and Grand Army Plaza has always been a shared amenity of the two neighborhoods. This proposal moves the bulk of the traffic and creates two massive seven by four lane intersections cutting off the north and east sides of the park.

Everywhere else, people are installing traffic circles to best handle traffic. Why are we taking one out?

— Chris Diamond, Prospect Heights resident for 17 years

I love the emphasis on safety for pedestrians and cyclists. One of the best things about our city is its walkability, and I will be that much more likely to walk or bike over to the park with my family as the city makes it safer and easier to do so.

— Jack Neary, Carroll Gardens resident for 4 years

Some disruptions are worth the end result. I enjoy Grand Army Plaza but have long been dismayed at how difficult it is to navigate on foot. Yes, the construction is going to be a headache while it’s underway. And we could see some impact on property values in the surrounding area in the very short term, depending on how long the process takes. But the end result is going to be something that adds value for everyone. Pedestrian friendly areas are what people want and need.

— Nikki R. Thomas, Park Slope resident for 12 years

I have lived and owned my business in the area for 31 years. I’m happy to see changes being planned for Grand Army Plaza making it more pedestrian friendly and more usable public space. Hopefully better traffic flow too.

— Jane Weedon, Park Slope resident since 1995

Grand Army Craft by 10-year-old Josie Wilkinson

Hi there! I'm Josie, a 5th grader growing up in Park Slope. Grand Army Plaza is a huge part of my life, whether it's a dog walk or a weekend trip to the green market. If you've been to Grand Army before, you know its beauty is often ruined by cars blocking the crosswalks and drivers honking. My dream would be for Grand Army Plaza to be car-free. Put the arch back in the park!

I built the Minecraft world because I thought that people should be able to see what Grand Army Plaza could look like car-free!

— Josie Wilkinson, Park Slope resident for 10 years

What do you think about the proposal? Share in the comments!

(Photos by Kelley MacDonald.)