Morgan Monaco is making history as the first Black woman to serve as President and Administrator of the Prospect Park Alliance, a milestone she says comes with deep purpose and responsibility. Sitting at a table in her office overlooking Prospect Park, Monaco reflects on the journey that brought her here and the legacy she now carries forward. “It’s really about that persistence and about really making sure that you feel that you have a seat at the table,” Monaco said. “And I’m so proud that I get to now inherit that legacy of 40 years of really revitalizing the park.” The Alliance has long played a critical role in restoring and sustaining Brooklyn’s 585-acre green space. Now, under Monaco’s leadership, the focus remains firmly rooted in community impact. From providing free summer meals to families in need to organizing wellness walks that encourage residents to stay active, Monaco says every initiative supports her three-step vision for the park’s future. First, she emphasizes the importance of keeping the park clean and safe. Second, she sees the park as a vital extension of public health infrastructure, a place that supports physical and mental well-being. And third, she wants to celebrate Brooklyn’s identity. “Brooklyn is one of the most beautiful and most diverse boroughs in the city - and I really want to lean into our identity in that way,” she said. Monaco’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. She was recently named one of four honorees recognized by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for Black History Month. But for Monaco, the recognition is about more than personal achievement. “I’m so honored to receive this recognition, especially as one of the few Black leaders in the Parks and Open Space Partners world,” she said. “I’m really proud of my personal story being a beacon for other young Black and brown youth to see themselves in a leadership role one day.” That sense of representation also shapes one of the park’s upcoming projects: a monument honoring Shirley Chisholm, the trailblazing congresswoman who represented Brooklyn and became the first Black woman elected to Congress. Monaco says the monument will be deeply rooted in community connection. “Her monument is a beacon for the community to see themselves in the park,” Monaco said. “As one of the few BIPOC leaders in the field and the first for the Alliance, I also see myself as that symbol of what can happen when doors are open and people are given the opportunity to thrive.” As a pioneer in her field, Monaco says her mission extends beyond maintaining a park. It’s about opening doors, building inclusive spaces and inspiring the next generation of BIPOC leaders, in Brooklyn and beyond.