Best Brooklyn Parks
Parks are one of our best resources in this city. We might be known for restaurants or the bustling city, but the outdoor space is the best version of community and connection. Whether you’re looking for a place to picnic, exercise, or unwind, Brooklyn’s parks have something for everyone. Here’s a guide to the best parks in Brooklyn, with an emphasis on family-friendly options, as that’s my specialty.
1. Prospect Park
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the creators of Central Park, Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s crown jewel of green space. Spanning over 585 acres, the park offers something for everyone:
Prospect Park Highlights
The Long Meadow: Perfect for picnics, jogging, and outdoor games.
Prospect Park Zoo: Great for families with young children. (Take the b41 here for the shortest walk.)
Boathouse & Lake: Ideal for paddle boating or a peaceful walk.
Lefrak Center at Lakeside: This offers ice skating in the winter, roller skating in the spring/summer/fall, and the best splash pad in Brooklyn during the summer.
Playgrounds: There are several playgrounds in the park. On the West Side, there is the Garfield Tot Lot and the Harmony Playground. On the East Side, you have Imagination Playground and Lincoln Road Playground. On the South Side, you have Vanderbilt Playground. There is also the nature playground towards the north end, which is a unique exploratory area for children. I highly recommend it.
Farmers Market: Every Saturday, there is a Farmer’s Market on the North End of the park near Grand Army Plaza.
Prospect Park Carousel: The carousel has limited hours (Thursday to Sunday, 12-6 pm), but it is one of the most affordable kids' activities in Brooklyn. (Tickets start at $3/ride but go down with ticket books.). I highly recommend combining with a trip to the Prospect Park Zoo, as they are right by each other.
Smorgasburg: This food festival is a fantastic option for family members of all ages. It runs Sundays from the end of April through the end of October
Prospect Park Tennis Courts, located at the Parade Grounds, offer a wide range of court options (not an easy thing to find in Brooklyn), year-round.
Transportation To Prospect Park
Grand Army Plaza Stop (2,3): The 2,3 will place you at the very North end of Prospect Park
B41: The B41 runs along the East Side of the park on Flatbush Avenue. These stops are excellent for Grand Army Plaza, the Prospect Park Zoo, Smorgasburg, and LeFrake Center.
Prospect Park (B, Q, Shuttle): This stop is a great connection to the activities on the Southeast side of the park. Don’t sleep on the shuttle- I think many people forget about it. You can also use the Q train at Parkside for similar access.
15 St- Prospect Park (F, G): This stop is the best access for the Southwest side of the park. I’d use this for Vanderbilt Playground and also the ball fields on this side.
Prospect Park is vast, and depending on your destination, you will choose differently. Below are a few options, along with their corresponding orientations in the park. A bike is an excellent option for any of these, and the bike lanes that flank Prospect Park West & Flatbush Avenue are very well protected.
Prospect Park is a must-visit for anyone seeking a mix of recreation and relaxation in Brooklyn. Its expansive trails, sports fields, and seasonal events make it a hub for locals and visitors alike.
2. Domino Park
Located along the Williamsburg waterfront, Domino Park has quickly become a favorite among Brooklynites. This modern park combines stunning views of the East River and Manhattan skyline with engaging features:
Domino Park Highlights
Waterfront Promenade: Perfect for walking, running, or sunset views.
Playground & Water Fountain: Designed for kids of all ages.
Excellent Food & Drink Options: This park is more integrated into the community than some of the others.
Vibes: Williamsburg is a trendy area, and you can definitely feel that here.
Historic Sugar Factory Elements: Preserved artifacts pay homage to the site’s industrial past.
Transportation to Domino Park
Domino Park is ideal for families, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys riverside relaxation with a touch of history.
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Stretching along the East River from DUMBO to Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers iconic views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Highlights include:
Pier 1 and Pier 6: Great for sports, picnics, and lounging by the water.
Jane’s Carousel: A beautifully restored carousel perfect for kids.
Kayaking and Outdoor Events: Seasonal activities that make every visit unique.
This park is particularly popular among tourists and locals alike, offering both scenic beauty and a range of recreational activities.
4. Fort Greene Park
Honorable Mentions
While Prospect Park, Domino Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park are the standout destinations, Brooklyn is full of other wonderful green spaces worth exploring:
Brower Park, located in Crown Heights, features playgrounds, a dog run, and sports facilities.
McCarren Park: A Williamsburg favorite with baseball fields, a running track, and a popular pool during summer.
Mount Prospect Park: Adjacent to Prospect Park, this quiet retreat is perfect for a peaceful stroll or a picnic away from the crowds.
Conclusion
Brooklyn’s parks are more than just green spaces—they’re community hubs that provide relaxation, recreation, and connection to nature right in the heart of the city. Whether you’re taking a jog through Prospect Park, enjoying the waterfront at Domino Park, or taking in the skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park, these parks offer unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Domino Park Playground | Williamsburg
First off, I do not recommend this playground for younger children. It’s even a bit challenging for my four-year-old boy at this point. The towers are obscured and very busy. (I have some pictures below of the climbing area, and you can see how my husband was following in our daughter when she was younger- on a summer day, there isn’t space for that.). Now, if you have a child to be out of sight for a while, this playground is a real winner. Its best features are the climbing apparatus and views. It can get quite windy and crowded, so plan accordingly!
Pier 6 Playground @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pier 6 Playground is really an assortment of distinct areas- Water Lab, Swing Valley, Slide Mountain, and Sandbox Village. The Water Lab section is probably the best water playground in Brooklyn, and it brings crowds to match. Slide Hill has one long slide and a great sand pit, but it does get quite hot in the summer months. Swing Valley is somewhat hidden and serves as a relaxing oasis (I don’t have a picture of that area). The baby swings and sand pit can be great for younger children if you’re comfortable with those options. Also to note, Pier 5 playground close by has more traditional play features for toddlers.
James A Forten Playground aka Underhill Playground aka Toy Playground | Prospect Heights
I’m definitely biased towards this one since it’s my default playground. It’s nice they have two sections of climbing depending on age, and there is a little something for everyone here- slides, swings, and a tire swing. The toys that this playground is known for really add an imaginative play element to everything here. The number of items that become dinner or a play kitchen go on forever. The discarded walkers are a great option for younger kids and the baby swings of course are a great default.
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Best Playgrounds for Children who Can’t Walk | Playgrounds for those children under 18 Months
Pier 6 Playground - Because of the sand pit and baby swings, you have great places to plop a young child and let them watch the world. I wouldn’t plan on the water lab with a baby, as it gets so crowded with older children running around.
Garfield Tot Lot - Because this playground is small, a younger baby won’t get run over by an older child running around. There are also some cushions on the ground for those knees and bums, which can be scratched.
Best Playgrounds for Two to Four Year Olds | Playgrounds for Preschoolers
Underhill Playground- In my experience, this age group loves the toys left at Underhill. Sure, the slides and swings are great, but the toys and imaginative play are a mecca.
Zucker Exploration Playground @ Prospect Park- This is not your conventional playground; it's set up with all the options from the park around us. Because children at this age area are starting to be curious and explore independently, I love this playground for that reason.
Best Playground for Five to Seven Year Olds | Best Playgrounds for Elementary School Children
Fort Greene Playground- The forts here really make the experience. My seven-year-old daughter loves to hide up here with her friends and make some passcode. They also get onto the monkey bars and climb above.
Domino Park Playground- Kids at this age have earned a little bit more trust and can hide up top. The nets are really fun to climb here and I’d advise meeting up with friends if you’re headed here- the crowds can be intimidating solo and it’s hard for parents to follow.
My oldest child is seven so I can’t give a recommendation for older than that. Stay tuned for more advice for the older ones.