The Other Side of the Park

Larry Racioppo
May 5, 2017

Photographer Larry Racioppo, whose work is on display in our current exhibition on Prospect Park for the park's 150th anniversary, shares some memories and photos of the park in this guest post. Racioppo is also working on our Third Avenue blog series with blogger One More Folded Sunset.

Prospect Park was a part of my life long before I became a photographer. Glued to the black construction paper pages of Racioppo and Tenga family albums are photos of my parents and their friends posing ‘dressed up’ in the park or just outside it, along its stone walls.

There are photos here of me and my cousins on the swings and seesaws at the 9th Street playground, on white blankets in the meadow.

My mother and me in the playground circa 1950 by Larry Racioppo — *My mother and me in the playground, c. 1950*

As a boy, I played football and softball here, rode the Swan boats and went sleigh riding in the winter.

In 1965 I left South Brooklyn for college and then VISTA. I returned in 1970 and eventually moved to 15th Street and 6th Avenue, at the end of Park Slope. I made most of these photographs in the 1970’s while I lived in the South Slope, had very little money and was learning how to photograph.

On one of my first return visits to the Park, I walked past the sandbox near Prospect Park West, between 15th Street and the Bandshell. I suddenly had the strangest déjà vu feeling and then rememebered that I had often played here.

Kids in the sandbox, 1978 by Larry Racioppo — *Kids in the sandbox, 1978*

Entering the Park across the street from the Sanders theater (now the Pavilion), I frequently walked to the lake near the tennis courts along an unnamed path between West Drive and Prospect Park Southwest. It was quiet and secluded, featuring a set of massive ‘ancient’ stairs.

Old stairs, 1972 by Larry Racioppo — *Old stairs, 1972*

Two girls on the stairs, 1972 by Larry Racioppo — *Two girls on the stairs, 1972*

Couple relaxing, 1973 by Larry Racioppo — *Couple relaxing, 1973*

Couple walking, 1974 by Larry Racioppo — *Couple walking, 1974*

Bridal portrait by the Lake, 1974 by Larry Racioppo — *Bridal portrait by the Lake, 1974*

Bridal party by the Lake, 1974 by Larry Racioppo — *Bridal party by the Lake, 1974*

Other times I walked closer to Prospect Park West, passing the decaying bandshell, on my way through the meadow to Grand Army Plaza.

The Bandshell, 1976 by Larry Racioppo — *The Bandshell, 1976*

I liked places officially recognized as beautiful, like the Boathouse, but I was drawn more strongly to old stairways and trees carved with couples’ names.

The Boathouse, 1974 by Larry Racioppo — *The Boathouse, 1974*

Stairs with Leaves, 1973 by Larry Racioppo — *Stairs with Leaves, 1973*

Tree with Names, 1973 by Larry Racioppo — *Tree with Names, 1973*

Over the years, I walked alone, or with dates, friends, and other photographers. Sometimes keeping to myself, other times engaging the great variety of people I met, from kite flyers to skateboarders, from picnickers to sleigh riders.