Press Releases

The $5.4 million project built a brand-new play space, added new amenities, and preserved the beloved “whale” climbing feature at John J. Carty Park

Today, NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher, City Council Member Justin Brannan, and members of the community gathered to officially reopen the playground at John J. Carty Park following a $5.4 million renovation of the play space and amenities. The reconstructed playground features all-new play equipment for kids of all ages, fitness amenities, spray showers, and more.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brooklynites back to the new and improved playground at John J. Carty Park!” said NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher. “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—including an accessible sensory play feature—as well as spray showers, a fitness area, and more. We’re also thrilled that we could preserve the beloved ‘whale’ that has called the playground home for decades, which we know was a top priority for the community. 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.”

“One of the best parts of my job is getting to improve the neighborhood that I grew up in and still live in,” said NYC Council Member Justin Brannan. “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. I’m so happy we could make these great improvements, and I look forward to all the other wonderful projects we have planned for Bay Ridge parks.”

The reconstructed playground has new play features for kids of all ages and abilities. In addition to play spaces for kids 2-5 years old and 5-12 years old, Parks has installed a sensory play feature that was designed in consultation with an occupational therapist. This feature, which consists of dashed painted lines and colorful shapes spaced throughout the pavement, helps provide visual stimulation, fosters an internal drive and motivation, and promotes brain development. Additionally, the playground has been enhanced with new fitness equipment, ping pong tables, spray showers, and seating.

John J. Carty Park honors John J. Carty (1909-1970), a native of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, who lived his life only five blocks away from the park and dedicated himself to New York City government for 32 years. When Carty passed away in December 1970, Mayor Abraham Beame said, “he would probably have been selected by his fellow professionals in government as one of the greatest urban experts and public servants in the history of this city.” The park was developed concurrently with the Verrazano Narrows Bridge thanks to a 1956 federal grant and was named by Local Law in 1971.