Local pols and officials unveiled the recently renovated playground in Bay Ridge’s John J. Carty Park on Tuesday following a much-needed $5.4 million makeover.
The reconstructed playground features all-new play equipment for kids of all ages, fitness amenities and spray showers. The beloved whale that has called the playground home for decades was also freshened up as part of the renovation.
“One of the best parts of my job is getting to improve the neighborhood that I grew up in and still live in,” said local Council Member Justin Brannan at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony. “I don’t want Bay Ridge residents to envy what other neighborhoods have – I want other neighborhoods to envy what we have here! This park has only gotten more popular as more families move to Bay Ridge and as kids I grew up with have kids of their own.”
The upgrade came to the park after Brannan allocated the funds to bring the playgrounds up to snuff following the recommendations local parents made back in 2020.
The $5.4 million makeover of John J. Carty Park, located on Fort Hamilton Parkway by 95th Street and often called just JJ Carty Park, overhauled the play area’s layout by creating play spaces for kids 2-5 years old and 5-12 years old.
The Parks Department installed a sensory play feature that was designed in consultation with an occupational therapist. The feature, consisting of colorful dashed lines and shapes painted across the pavement, is meant to provide visual stimulation, promote brain development, and encourage drive and motivation.
“Thanks to a generous allocation from Council Member Justin Brannan, we’ve completely reconstructed the playground, with new play equipment for kids of all ages and abilities,” said NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher. “This is a great resource for Bay Ridge residents, and we invite everyone to come have a whale of a time at the reconstructed playground.”
