Vale of Cashmere — Attraction in New York

It's a meditative spot, and somewhat untravelled. The large, Victorian water feature has become an overgrown swamp, much loved by birds. It is pleasant to sit on a bench and watch children play in a nearby natural playground constructed out of fallen trees and running water ( hard to describe). The atmosphere reminds me of T.S. Elliott's poem, "The Four Quartets."

When I first happened upon the Vale of Cashmere I didn't want to share it with anyone. It was a magical, abandoned Victorian fantasy project. Since then, plans to restore it have been drawn up. Goats were brought in to thin out the overgrown hillsides. Much of it is now undergoing restoration behind shiny nine-foot chainlink fences. It will never be the same as when I first discovered it in all its dilapidated splendor, but it may end up being...

The Vale of Kashmir, also known as the Vale of Cashmere, is a secluded area in the northeast corner of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. It was named after a poem by Thomas Moore and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the architects of Central Park1. The Vale features a pool and a fountain, surrounded by lush woodlands and rare plants2. It was once a popular destination for children and families, but it fell into decay and neglect over the years3. Recently, the Prospect Park Alliance has vowed to restore the Vale and make it accessible again45.  It is a place of history, beauty, and diversity in the heart of...

Stumbled upon this corner of the park accidentally while riding my bike. There’s only one way in/out without stairs, so if you are relying on wheels of any kind be advised. This is a quiet, secluded spot with a pretty dreamy atmosphere, at least in late summer when everything is green and lush. There is what probably used to be a water feature in the center, surrounded by a paved walk with seats/benches spaced periodically around the outside. It feels a little like someplace out of a fairytale, probably because it’s named “Vale of Cashmere,” and probably also because it’s...