Bushwick Playground Brooklyn, NY 11237

"This park has changed tremendously. It has been overcome by migrants. The soccer field was totally packed and trash all over the floor. Illegal food vendors everywhere cooking cuy (guinea pig) on shopping carts. The scariest part was the playground. Different groups of intoxicated/high men sitting on the benches drinking alcohol and watching the children play, even though they did not come with any children. I saw 3 different men totally passed out, one was vomiting. Teenagers just sitting and smoking on the slide, blocking any children from being able to use it. Absolutely disgusting environment for children. I could not get out of there fast enough."

"The state of this park is shameful. My boys loved coming here a few years ago but it has completely changed. There’s always, food scraps, empty containers and beer bottles left and scattered all over the park and soccer field. It’s completely filled with vendors on the weekends but there’s no regulations in place for people to clean up after themselves. We found a half eaten burrito on the slide at 9:30 in the morning which is the norm at this point on a weekend day."

"My kids love this spot but I try to avoid it. Sure there are more fun things to do but the playground area is not well kept. I don't know if it's the neighborhood in general but feels like the people here are more unhinged. Like none of the parents are keeping eyes on their own kids. My most memorable was this one kid probably around 8 just punching down some other 6 year old kid and trying to steal his toy. Neither of the parents around. The younger kid couldn't even explain what happened crying to his brother. That said, in general the entire field area you can see feels it's in disrepair and disarray at times. People who play ball here don't clean up after themselves so that's what happens. The worst is the entry way by stairs. Half the time you don't know if there's poop or pee there but you just know. Like we appreciate the effort people put into like the mural but feels like like not a day goes by and it's defaced again. If you overlook all of that, then it's still public park and if it's not too busy it's still somewhere nice to unwind."

"Living near the neighborhood playground, I’m concerned about its decline in safety and atmosphere. It’s convenient, but the issues there need our community’s immediate attention. Sadly, the park has become a hub for activities that aren’t suitable for kids. People openly drink alcohol, smoke weed, and act inappropriately, even with children around. Homelessness in the area makes things worse. There are confrontations, fights, and lots of garbage, which ruin the fun for everyone. It’s upsetting to see such behavior in a place meant for families. As a community, we need to step up and fix this for the sake of our children. The current situation puts them at risk and exposes them to things they shouldn’t see. I have to report these incidents to the police whenever I go to the park, which shouldn’t be necessary. Our neighborhood park should be a safe space for kids to play without worries. We all need to work together to make the park better and safer. Let’s reclaim it as a place where families can enjoy themselves without any concerns. We can’t let a few people’s lack of care ruin things for everyone else. Our kids deserve a safe and nurturing environment to grow up in, and it’s up to us to make sure they have it."

"The equipment in the park look and seem sturdier and cleaner compared to other parks in the area. However I do not appreciate the soliciting. There are teenage kids all over the park utilizing it as a smoking and love shack area. They would sit on the slides as a hang out spot. Unbelievable is what that is. It's absurd and just not something someone with small children would want to expose their children to. In addition, motorists are riding up and down inside the park by the entrance. Adults with no children enter the playground and sit there watching children play. Considering the world we live in this is disconcerting. It has potential to be a great park but again people lack consideration and common sense. I don't think it is a safe space for children."