The outdoor parks in Brooklyn are a great place to spend some quality time with family and friends. But with so many park-goers, it’s hard to find a spot that isn’t too crowded on busy days.
The city has many famous attractions, but the outdoor parks are something that people from all walks of life love to visit. Today, we will be exploring five lesser-known parks that are great alternatives to the more popular parks if you want to avoid large crowds.
5 Great Outdoor Parks in Brooklyn to Explore
Summer in Brooklyn means everybody wants to explore the outdoors. And on a nice day, it can be pretty hard to find a secluded spot where you can just relax and enjoy the grass under your feet and the sun on your face.
We will explore the best Brooklyn parks that are virtually empty compared to popular spots like Prospect Park or Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
McCarren Park
Location: Williamsburg and Greenpoint border
The park is an excellent place for unwinding during a weekend day. If you love to swim, there’s a public pool where you can cool off to beat the summer heat.
If you’re feeling sporty, try out the handball courts or basketball hoops and see if you can’t make some new friends while you’re at it. There are also open spaces for soccer and other sports if you need to get your blood pumping. The park also hosts concerts, movie nights, fairs, and tons of kids’ events.
Walt Whitman Park
Location: Downtown Brooklyn
A park in the name of one of America’s most influential poets? We know many of you are already pumped up to visit this place!
If you’re looking for a quieter park experience, Walt Whitman Park is your place. It’s mainly for people who want to sit under a tree and read a book or scribble on their sketchbook.
Many artists visit this park and find inspiration from the Whitman quotes scattered across the park.
Marine Park
Location: Marine Park neighborhood
Marine Park is the largest of all Parks in Brooklyn. It’s a 530-acre Forever Wild Preserve that has unique flora and fauna. You can walk on the winding trails through salt marshes and grasslands, listen to the wind whisper through the reeds, or sit on one of the benches, staring out over the ocean and watching the sunset.
The park protects a natural landscape that contains a variety of bird species like herons, egrets, ibises, and cranes. The grassy fields provide excellent habitat for small mammals.
Owl’s Head Park
Location: Shore Road in Bay Ridge
Owl’s Head Park has been a favorite spot for Bay Ridge residents for a long time. It’s a small park with views of the New York skyline and includes basketball courts, a playground, and a dog run.
Whether you’re looking for an afternoon pick-up game or somewhere to enjoy the sunset over the NYC harbor, Owl’s Head is worth checking out. The park is also smack dab in the middle of historic Bay Ridge, so there are plenty of restaurants and shopping options nearby if you need to take a break.
Highland Park
Location: Jackie Robinson Pkwy (near the border of Queens)
With a hiking trail, ball fields, and playgrounds to explore, Highland Park is the place to go if you’re looking for something that’ll please everyone in your family. This large park is perfect for sports and picnics—plus, there are summer concerts if you want to kick back with some music on an unseasonably warm day in Brooklyn.
Due to its location on a high plateau, the park offers impressive views of the Rockaways, the ocean, and the east side of NYC. Make sure your camera has plenty of battery life if you’re into photography.