Winter Storm Fun in Brooklyn

As Winter Storm Fern swept through on Sunday, families in Brooklyn found joy in Prospect Park. Among them were two 13-year-old entrepreneurs ready to serve some hot chocolate, a perfect companion for the wintry escapades.

“Let’s get some hot chocolate! The hottest chocolate in Park Slope!” Aaron Rappaport called out from a hill that transformed into a bustling sledding spot filled with eager winter enthusiasts.

Aaron and his friend Ted Driscoll decided to sell hot chocolate, as the heavy snowfall, which hit 12 inches in some areas, made their regular winter gig—shoveling—quite difficult.

“We’ve got five orders already, but we can’t shovel until the snow calms down a bit, so we thought we’d sell hot chocolate in the meantime,” Aaron noted.

“We have 30 cups ready to go,” Ted chimed in, joking about the tough trek through the snow with their folding table.

“We’re here to make some money,” he said with a smile.

Their hot chocolate stand, priced at $3 each, quickly attracted the attention of families enjoying one of the heaviest snowfalls since 2021.

When 4-year-old Talia Fackler spotted the hot chocolate, she tumbled off her sled and dashed over, prompting her mother, Hannah, 38, to inquire if they accepted Venmo, which they did.

Hannah expressed how much Talia loved sledding. “She saw the big kids having fun and made us rush to the hardware store for a sled. We come here every time it snows,” she said. “If she gets too cold, we’ll have to pull her away.”

They weren’t alone in their fun.

Nearby, Tate Foster, 39, was sledding with his daughter Georgia, 4, along with family members, hoping to keep the kids busy for the day. “Most of the kids know each other and will be here all day. We need to get Georgia home eventually,” he laughed, regretting not dressing warmer.

On Monday, as students faced the potential for remote learning, Park Slope mom Stacey Gomez, 46, was hopeful for a snowy day for her kids in private school. “If they don’t get snow tomorrow, I’ll be pretty upset. It’s tough for working parents,” she said. “But honestly, this place feels like heaven.”

Yet, not all children were eager about the snow. Gabby Mararo, 30, shared that her kids, aged 10 and 14, weren’t interested in venturing outside.

Her hybrid dog, however, had other ideas. “There’s no way we could keep this dog away from the park today. It’s like a wonderland for dogs,” she remarked, smiling.

Dogs seemed to enjoy the snow as much as the kids.

James Ekenstedt, 32, and his fiancée, Anna Strattenbrook, dressed their Chihuahua mix, Mika, in boots and a coat to keep him warm. “The snow is so fluffy—just perfect,” Ekenstedt expressed.

Strattenbrook added, “But, wow, the wind is something else!”

While most were bundled up against the biting cold, Adam Perez stood out, wearing shorts despite the weather. The 32-year-old software engineer from Crown Heights joked, “Yeah, it’s just me. I never wear pants unless there’s a wedding involved,” as he and his girlfriend, art therapist Annie Hulick, 29, aimed to build a snowman.