Lieutenant John H. Martinson Playground

Staten Island locals know this one’s worth the trip. The age-separated zones are a genuinely smart setup — toddlers aren’t getting bulldozed by older kids, and everyone gets equipment that actually makes sense for them. When it’s hot out, the water feature earns its keep, and the climbing structure keeps the school-aged crowd busy long enough for parents to actually sit down. Restrooms are clean, there’s a baby changing station, and the picnic tables make it easy to stretch a visit into a full afternoon. The basketball court is a nice bonus if you’ve got older siblings in tow.