DOT Proposes Park Circle Improvements; CB 7 Approves

Last week, DOT presented plans for short-term changes that should make Brooklyn's Park Circle more welcoming to those on foot, on bikes and on horseback. The proposal [PDF] comes after a February public workshop on the gateway to Prospect Park raised speeding drivers and inadequate facilities for other users as major concerns.

Among other improvements, here's a breakdown of what's in store: 

• For pedestrians: new, direct and shorter crosswalks;
• For cyclists: Class 1 bike path around the circle; connection to the Ocean Parkway Greenway; Class 1 bike path on Ft. Hamilton Parkway;
• For equestrians: Protected bridle path within the circle;
• For motorists: Park through-traffic will be consolidated to one access point.

DOT further plans to revamp the Ocean/Ft. Hamilton Parkway ramp as a "city street," and to appropriate unused asphalt for new markings and plantings, reducing the size of the circle. The new design is intended to cut down on speeding and congestion.

According to Stable Brooklyn, Community Board 7 passed a resolution in support of the project on June 17. Work is scheduled to be implemented this fall.