Park Slope

Residential district in west-central Brooklyn, New York City, one of the city's most prestigious neighbourhoods. Park Slope is situated on the slope that runs west from Prospect Park down towards Gowanus and South Brooklyn.

The district was first developed after the Civil War on land once owned by the Litchfield family, whose villa (built 1857) on the western edge of the park overlooked the city. Park Slope expanded as a city suburb once tramlines were laid through the area; terraced houses were followed, around World War I, by large apartment buildings. In the northeastern corner of the district lies Grand Army Plaza, while Prospect Heights, across Flatbush Avenue, is often regarded as an extension of Park Slope. The area south of 9th Street is locally referred to as the South Slope; farther south, around 16th Street, Park Slope merges into Sunset Park.