http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/nyregion/prospect-park-citi-bike-panther-sculptures.html 2016-09-14 16:37:08 ‘Panthers,’ the Guardians of Prospect Park, Didn’t See Citi Bike Coming The dramatic spell cast by the twin 18-foot-tall monuments was shattered last week when a Citi Bike kiosk and solar panel was installed directly in front of the north pedestal. === In 1898, They still do. Perched vigilantly atop limestone pedestals by In 1998, the twin 18-foot-tall monuments, known as “ But the dramatic spell they cast was shattered last week when a Citi Bike kiosk and solar panel, half as high as the monument, was installed directly in front of the north pedestal. “I’m sure Proctor and White would both be horrified,” Laura Proctor Ames, the sculptor’s great-granddaughter, said after seeing a photograph sent by The New York Times. “We were not aware of it, and I have a pit in my stomach.” Ms. Ames is the director of the Michele H. Bogart “I am apoplectic,” she wrote. “It is an absurdity. The ‘Panthers’ are a major N.Y.C. monument by a major late-19th-century American sculptor. They are in the collection of the city, and you can’t just go putting structures next to works like these.” Ms. Bogart asked, “Who gave approval to place kiosks and stands in a place that totally destroys the views into the park?” Those who know aren’t saying. The Citi Bike bicycle-sharing program is operated by Dani Simons, the director of corporate communications at Motivate, said that because the city Department of Transportation “takes the lead on station siting,” she deferred to the agency. Scott Gastel, an assistant commissioner of the agency, said only, “We are aware of the concerns and we are looking into the matter.” Prospect Park has the most to lose through the insensitive placement of the docking station. But its administrator, Ms. Donoghue said the “The bikes are wildly popular,” she said, “but we’ve done so much to protect the historic nature of the park. And that’s such a beautiful entrance.” She refused to assign blame, saying she hoped it was simply a “disconnect” between Motivate and its contractor. “The people who came out to install it,” Ms. Donoghue said, “were just doing their job.”