Join HDC and the Victorian Society of New York for our Scenic Stewardship Series, a series of walking and biking tours of New York’s most beloved scenic landmarks.
This series is part of a collaborative effort between HDC, VSNY, and a coalition of community partners, to bring attention to the preservation and stewardship of our shared scenic spaces. In addition to the tours below, click here to read our Policy Report to the Landmarks Preservation Commission regarding concerns on the regulation of Scenic Landmarks.
You can register for each tour separately or you can register for all three tours for $30
Finding Prospect Park
Sunday, May 5, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
This tour will take you through the northern half of Prospect Park, Olmsted and Vaux’s masterpiece. A brief introduction to the park’s history and design will be provided while will investigate lost rustic and picturesque shelters and bridges, the marvelous “electric fountain,” the mysterious “Culvert Arch,” the park’s “Dairy,” the “braiding of the ways,” the still present but deteriorating Litchfield Villa, the circular yacht, and other sites and features of the original park. The main focus of the tour will be discovering lost features and why their loss matters. Some of these features are gone without a trace; others remain only as archaeological remnants. Some are largely intact but have been “lost” to the public for other reasons.
Your tour guide, Jeremy Woodoff, is a city planner and historic preservationist, currently serving on the Advisory Board of the Historic Districts Council and the Board of the Victorian Society New York, both of which are sponsoring this tour. During his 20-year employment at the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, Jeremy was responsible for setting up the Commission’s review procedures for work in scenic landmarks like Prospect Park and for reviewing all work proposed for the park by the Parks Department and the Prospect Park Alliance.
For those who register, a QR code will be available that will allow you to download a series of historic images to use on your cell phone or tablet during the tour. The tour leader will have a set of images that can be viewed as well.
Friends of HDC/ VSNY Members / Seniors $15
General $20
Brooklyn Bicycle Tour – Scenic Landmarks from Prospect Park to Coney Island
Sunday, June 9, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Requirements: Bikes in Safe Condition and Helmets.
Join Richard Sanford and Manny Sanudo, two New York City licensed guides for a memorable bicycle ride of Brooklyn visiting numerous scenic landmarks, parks and open spaces, historic neighborhoods, food destinations, and much more! We begin at Grand Army Plaza with our bicycle safety check. We’ll make sure our bikes are fit for this 4-hour experience – tires pumped up, brakes in working order, gears geared up and helmets nice and snug. (Yes, you’ll have to have a helmet to do the ride!) The tour will feature stops and discussion of all of Brooklyn’s designated Scenic Landmarks, from Eastern Parkway through Prospect Park, along the Ocean Parkway Malls, and all the way to the world-famous Coney Island Boardwalk! In addition, your knowledgeable guides will discuss many of the charming neighborhoods in the surrounding area on rides along quiet side streets. In less than 5 miles you’ll be at the beach in Coney Island to ride along the boardwalk and hear the history of the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Luna Park, The Boardwalk, and The Parachute Jump. The tour will finish with a visit to Nathan’s Famous where Americans first fell in love with the Hot Dog.
Friends of HDC/ VSNY Members /$15;
General $20
Changing Design in Central Park
Saturday, June 15, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Since its opening in 1857, Central Park has been an urban oasis that makes up the heart of New York City. Since those early days, many alterations have been made to the Park that make it what it is today. On this walking tour, Author Cynthia S. Brenwall will include historical images and architectural plans taken from her book, The Central Park: Original Designs for New York’s Greatest Treasure to illustrate the ever-changing designs of the Park while still holding true to the original vision of its designers.
Friends of HDC/ VSNY Members / Seniors $15;
General $20