Brooklyn Playground Tour: Bensonhurst Park
Welcome to our series that takes a look at playgrounds around Brooklyn! Searching for a fun new spot to explore with the kids? From innovative, interactive playspaces to traditional (but equally fun!) spots, we’ll guide you through the many awesome playground choices in our borough.
This week, we made our way to Bensonhurst Park. Established in 1881 in what was once known as the town of New Utrecht, this popular park in Southern Brooklyn sits on the corner of Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue, with Gravesend Bay to its south. Packed with neighborhood kids and host to the occasional family event, Bensonhurst Park serves a large community, but unfortunately has been bypassed for the funding necessary to give it the overhaul it needs.
While having just received a fresh coat of paint and some much-needed bench repairs, Bensonhurst Park is overgrown with weeds, difficult to navigate with a stroller, and, because of its proximity to the Bay Parkway ramp onto the Belt Parkway, very loud. There are bathrooms, but you might just be better off making the five-minute walk to Babies “R” Us at Caesar’s Bay.
At the entrance of the playground, there’s a sign boasting free wifi. But prepare yourself for disappointment — the wifi is serviced through Optimum and is only free for their subscribers. For the rest of us, we get free wifi for 30 minutes. Actually, three 10-minute sessions over the course of 30 days, and after that it’s 99 cents for a day pass.
A space that deserves a more positive reputation in Southern Brooklyn, Bensonhurst Park is not without its perks. If there’s anything this playground has going for it, it’s the ample shade over the benches and fully enclosed space. Although, to be fair, most of the issues I found with the park took backseat to the blissful ignorance of my son, who loved climbing on the playset.
A playset I later found out to be one of the highest in playground injury lawsuits.
What’s your favorite playground in Brooklyn? Share the details in the comments, or by emailing us at editor@bklyner.com and we may feature it in our next playground profile.