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At just 12 years old, LeFrak Center has already gone in for a little refresh, making us reach for the red light mask ourselves.
But now, Prospect Park Alliance's much-loved center at Lakeside is back, and it’s looking good. After a long-anticipated renovation, the beloved Brooklyn destination reopens August 2 with a fresh slate of activities, new concessions, a sleek new look, and, for the first time, pickleball courts. Yes, the country's favorite low-impact sport has landed lakeside, joining roller skating, pedal boats, and Brooklyn’s largest splash pad as part of the revamped summertime lineup.
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The reopening marks the first major upgrade to the LeFrak Center since it opened in 2013, transforming a shuttered skating rink and cracked parking lot into one of the city’s most dynamic outdoor recreation hubs. Now, a dozen years later, Lakeside has gotten a full glow-up: improved lighting, upgraded restrooms, shiny new mechanical systems, and Duck Island Cafe, a redesigned café and bar from Purslane/Oberon Restaurant Group, that will offer seasonal menus.
“The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is one of the most ambitious projects in Prospect Park Alliance’s history,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco in a statement. “Since its opening in 2013, we have served hundreds of thousands of community members each year with dynamic programs and activities. With the selection of new operators, extensive renovations, and the appointment of the first LeFrak Center Director, we are looking at a bright future.”
One noticeable change: the absence of Dreamland Roller Disco, the long-running, Lola Star–led Friday night tradition that turned Lakeside into a sequined dance party. The Prospect Park Alliance says skating events will continue, but Dreamland’s farewell marks the end of an era for many, including Star, who launched a Change.org petition to restore Dreamland.
“A private corporation should not have the power to decide the fate of a beloved community program that has brought joy, connection and meaning to thousands of Brooklynites,” she wrote. “We believe there should be room for new and inclusive programming at LeFrak. But that should not come at the cost of displacing beloved, community-rooted weekly events like Dreamland Roller Disco.”
Re-opening weekend will be a mini-festival in itself, with free admission to select activities like skating and yoga, and first-come access to the new pickleball courts. It's the perfect excuse to see what’s changed, what’s stayed, and how the neighborhood is responding. RSVP for the full lineup of activities and events.