PARK SLOPE — Fill 'er up!
Just in time for the parched summer months, thirsty Prospect Park goers are getting a new set of fountains just for water bottles.
The new filling stations, donated by the company Smart Tap, are specially designed to refill bottles so people can reuse their bottles instead of tossing them in the trash.
"Reusing water bottles gets people to not buy as many plastic bottles," said Prospect Park Alliance spokesman Paul Nelson. "That reduces both trash in the park and in our landfills."
The new oasis was an almost instant hit with park goers, and a line quickly formed to use the device, a video posted on the Smart Tap website showed.
"Hooray for smart tap in prospect park!" Tweeted @tinkergarten. "Even easier and more Eco friendly to #playoutdoors with you here."
The first of six fountains was installed on Center Drive on June 21, Effed in Park Slope reported. Five more will follow at Sixth Street and West Drive, near Field One in the Long Meadow Ballfields, along the East Drive across from the Peristyle, near Field Six at the Parade Ground, at the Center Drive and East Drive intersection, Nelson said.
Avid Prospect Park runner Michael Balbos said the fountains were are "a great idea" for areas with lots of picnickers ,who will be able to refill bottles quickly. "I've had to wait on line during running breaks while kids fill water balloons or water guns at standard fountains," Balbos said. "This new one should alleviate that."
Smart Tap Founder and Chairman Bill Apfelbaum said in a statement that "every 27 hours, Americans drink enough bottled water to circle the equator with plastic bottles stacked end to end."
He added, "We are thrilled that the first Smart Taps are located in Prospect Park. The Prospect Park Alliance’s innovative and pioneering spirit address Brooklyn and New York City residents who care about the planet and want to help change the world one bottle at a time.”
