Before you, the Nethermead Arches stand as more than just a bridge. They whisper tales of a time when Brooklyn sought to rival Manhattan’s grandeur. Prospect Park is a masterpiece conceived by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Olmsted. They believed they had built a superior park to Central Park.
The Nethermead Arches derive their name from Old English. Nether means below and mead means meadow. The Nethermead is a large open field set below the Ravine.
Completed between 1868 and 1870, the Nethermead Arches are crafted from Ohio sandstone and granite. They stand near Prospect Park’s midpoint. The arches serve multiple functions. One arch allows foot traffic to pass. Another provides passage for the bridle path. The third guides the trickling Ambergill under Center Drive.
Imagine stepping beneath the arches. You transition from the sometimes dark Ravine. You emerge into a large open field. It is filled with soccer and frisbee players. This effect mirrors entering Long Meadow from Endale or Meadowport Arch.
Notice the trefoils on the railing. These three-lobed designs resemble shamrocks. The Nethermead Arches offer a dramatic change.
Consider the park’s original design. Olmsted and Vaux included a variety of ornamental bridges and arches. The Nethermead Arch stands out. It’s not just a crossing. It’s an experience.
Picture this. You are walking through Prospect Park. You approach the Nethermead Arches. The change is palpable. Light floods the meadow as you pass under the stone arches. An osage orange tree stands nearby.
The Nethermead Arches continue to be repaired. This is unique among Prospect Park arches. It spans a park walkway, a bridle path and a stream.
The Nethermead Arches mark a boundary. It lies between the hilly, wooded Ravine and the Nethermead. Prospect Park’s central meadow is a beautiful sight. The name comes from two old English words. They mean remote and meadow.
Today, the Nethermead Arches invite you to explore. They connect different parts of the park. They offer passage. They offer a glimpse into the vision of Olmsted and Vaux. These arches frame the landscape. They invite you to discover the beauty of Prospect Park.