Prospect Park YMCA

The Prospect Park YMCA, currently located at 357 9th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Brooklyn, has been serving Brooklyn for more than 100 years. A fixture of Park Slope, the Prospect Park YMCA began its operations in a converted mansion in 1891. By 1923, the huge population growth in Brooklyn placed demands on the YMCA that made its building inadequate. The branch was closed, making way for an ambitious building campaign. In July 1925, the Prospect Park Y broke ground on its present site, and 18 months later, the current building opened.

The Prospect Park YMCA has a longstanding commitment to housing programs and today still offers affordable housing for sailors, echoing the work of the Bethelship Seaman's Branch that operated on the corner of Richards and Sullivan streets between 1921 and 1948. The branch also maintains a tradition of linkages with community groups such as literary societies, book clubs, and dance groups. The branch has offered literacy classes, job search training, and day camp programs for many years.

In the spring of 2000, an $8.5 million renovation left practically no corner untouched. The facade was restored, the old lobby was replaced, and all the facility program spaces were transformed. A new family aquatics center is currently under construction and will be part of the branch.