Commodore Barry Park is the oldest park in Brooklyn. It was acquired by the village (yes, Brooklyn was a village) in 1836. The park, initially called 'City Park,' was reopened in 1940. It was named for the founder of the Navy Yard, Commodore John Barry, in 1951.

Carroll Park reopened in 1934. It is the borough's third oldest park, named for American Revolutionary Leader Charles Carroll. The park began as a private community garden before being acquired by the Brooklyn in 1853. It was updated and reopened under the WPA.

Washington Park marked by the 'Old Stone House,' a reconstruction of the Vechte-Cortelyou House. The original house stood nearby, and the replica uses sound original unearthed portions of the house which were discovered by Park's Dept. workers.

Linden Park has been renamed many times. At it's opening, it was called Urban Meadow. It's namesake street had been called Van Brunt Street, Vienna Avenue, and Lorraine street before adopting the name Linden.

Rudd playground is at the foot of the Evergreens Cemetery.

Bartlett Playground was named for Josiah Bartlett, a self-made physician from Massachusetts.

This waterfront park predates Bushwick Inlet Park or the more recent Domino Park on the Brooklyn side of the East River.

Dyker Park is built on land that was considered "common land" by Dutch settlers and Canarsee Indians due to its marshy and swampy condition. The Van Dykes attempted to reclaim this land by building dykes - hence the name. It is now one of the most played public golf courses in the country.

This park is named for Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolph Gerhard Augustus von Steuben (yes, that's quite a mouthful), a general in the American Revolution. The construction of the BQE left this odd parcel of land free to be developed as a park.

The Callahan-Kelly park was named for two Brownsville residents (first called Brown's Village) who were killed in World War I. The land which the city acquired was named a memorial site in 1939.

Galapo Playground was called the Bedford Neck Playground, after its cross streets, until 1988. It was named for Joe Galapo, a Police Officer who was shot that year during an arrest attempt.

Mount Prospect Park is the second highest point in Brooklyn. It was once used as a lookout point by the Continental Army. A reservoir built at the peak of this hill supplied water to the Western portion of the City of Brooklyn until the WPA came along and filled it.

McCarren Park has long been a hub of activity for Williamsburg and Greenpoint residents. WPA opened its largest pool here, which reopened in 2012.

Sunset Park is, perhaps, named for the fact you can watch the sunset from its highest peak. The grounds originally had bluffs which were supposedly so high you needed a 60-foot ladder to scale them.