J.J. Byrne Playground

Park Slope locals know J.J. Byrne is one of the better spots in Brooklyn to actually spend an afternoon without losing your mind. The water feature is a lifesaver in July, and the enclosed play area means you’re not chasing a toddler across the whole park every five minutes. Older kids have room to run on the grass field and soccer pitch, so it genuinely works for multiple ages at once — which is rarer than it should be. The shade trees and benches are well-placed enough that parents can sit comfortably and still see everything. Oh, and the Old Stone House is right there, which gives the place a sense of history you don’t expect from a neighborhood playground.