City secures funding for Grand Army Plaza restoration

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument to be restored

Grand Army Plaza is going to be restored to its original glory.

At a recent news conference, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and New York City Park Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, announced a $9 million renovation plan of the fame plaza, which marks the entrance of Prospect Park and Eastern Parkway.

The renovation of Grand Army Plaza includes replacing the roof of the nearly 130 year-old Soldiers and Sailors Monument, repairing its interior iron stairwells and polishing up the brickwork and stone structure.

The Plaza will also get new trees, a new low panel fence, and the stone pavement around Bailey Fountain and the nearby John F. Kennedy Memorial will be replaced.

Speaking to the members of the press, Mayor de Blasio said; "Grand Army Plaza welcomes us to Brooklyn's most beloved park and with this funding, we can fully realize the beauty of the monument honoring those who have served."

Designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, who also designed Central Park, and Calvert Vaux, Grand Army Plaza opened to the public in 1867. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated in 1892 to commemorate Union troops who died in the American Civil War (1861-1865).

Grand Army Plaza can be easily reached by taking the Number 2 and 3 subway lines.