Anyone with three names may be a serial killer, so be careful in this park. It may work the same way for parks. That's a lot of Mays, but June know what I mean. Don't pretend you don't. Don't lie. Why would July. This park has some truly spectacular views of the Verrazano Bridge and the water across to New Jersey and Staten Island. You can also see the Statue of Liberty from it. If you go out far enough or you're drowning. I often sleep in and around this park so please don't use this information to do something bad. Oh crap why did I say that. Anyway August of wind blew me over last time I was here. I'm done. read more

John Paul Jones Park - Tree story - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Pretty views and nice place to walk and relax but they need to keep better care of this park. The flags were all disorganized and not properly displayed; graffiti on the signs, grass is too long, especially with ticks, new backless benches that seniors and disabled CANNOT sit on. Water fountain is broken. read more

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Nice park located in Fort Hamilton, BK to walk, exercise, or sit quietly to read. Beautiful views of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. read more

John Paul Jones Park - View of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This park is local to me. It's a BIG piece of land with plenty of benches. It seems a bit "detached" and impersonal to me. Maybe because it's surrounded by so much vehicular traffic (on ramps to the belt parkway are just across the street)? It never seems to have a lot of people within it. There are some great views of the bridge, or more specifically, the massive concrete block anchor that wiped out a big Norwegian neighborhood all those years ago. I've never seen a hot dog or ice cream vendor here, and I don't know if I've ever seen a public space event held here. It might be good for a "food truck" festival or something like that! There's plenty of room here, but when I think of "Park", I don't think of this space. More green space is better than the alternative, but they could probably do more with it. read more

I have it on good authority that the neighborhood kids call this "Cannonball Park," - or, at least they used to. Right by Fort Hamilton and the Verrazano Bridge, it's been officially called John Paul Jones Park since 1969. It's got some pleasant benches and an impressive obelisk, which is a WWI Memorial honoring the Dover Patrol. Apparently, it matches similar memorials in Dover, and in France. There's also a massive, black, 19th century cannon and an array of cannonballs (hence, the popular moniker). The cannon commemorates the Civil War. There is also a plaque given by the DAR to remember the Revolutionary War. So, you can think a lot about war in this park.... or you can just sit and relax, and watch the traffic flowing over the bridge. read more

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The park itself is not massive by any stretch of the imagination but if you are in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn its one of the places that you need to stop in too for its monuments and the history that they bring to the table. Based on the rather large cannon and welded into place cannonballs, this part of Bay Ridge has long been affectionately known as "Cannonball Park". It works. This is not a massively sized park by any stretch but there is room enough for public gatherings that have been done on Memorial Day and Fourth Of July often connected to the nearby Fort Hamilton Army Base. Plenty of benches allow for some nice reading under the shade of the numerous trees and considering its right near the highway and major avenue thoroughfare, its rather quiet. Never a bad thing. In addition to the awesome Cannon I mentioned there is a fantastic Obelisk nearby dedicated to a sea regimen if memory serves me correctly along with a sample of the cable that the nearby Verrazano Bridge is hung by. All of these sights are worthy photo ops for your Facebook or Instagram so don't forget to do that if you pop by. It's a park that I periodically like to walk over to and if you are lucky you might just see a Wedding party doing photos under the bridge and in the gazebo that has been here for decades as well. While you are there you can easily also walk down to the Shore Road promenade and get yourself some nice photos of the Verrazano Bridge or even do some selfies if that is what gets you through the day. Don't forget to check in on Yelp and offer up your own thoughts on these neighborhood highlights. read more

I've only gone once but loved it. Parking is a pain in the ass since the walkway along the water overlooking the Verazzano Bridge is nearby also there are a lot of apartment buildings. Its hard to find close spots. I was lucky to find one about 2 blocks away after circling around for about 15 minutes. THe park itself is nice. Ofcourse the cannons are always interesting with tons of people propping their kids up on it to pose for pictures. Also you should take a walk to the walkway by the bridge. There are a lot of benches there. Tons of people are jogging, skating and riding their bikes. I also found a lot of people fishing there and actually catching stuff. I didn't seen any big catches, mostly 6-8 inch fish, but I'd imaging it would be fun for a first time attempt for children. The view of the bridge, especially toward sundown is breathtaking. A great time indeed. read more

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Again from the 'you wouldn't expect it' department. Dowdy, forlorn and neglected little Bay Ridge, Brooklyn boasts one of the better city parks in New York. Its got a tremendous view of the setting sun over the Upper New York bay; and the gargantuan VZ bridge is right overhead. The views are astounding (well, astounding for New York, that is). Think that's all I've got to say? Nope. You can also look at all the ships trundling up and down the Hudson from this vantage point. Shipping enthusiasts, I'm talking to YOU. JPJ is also a park which is small enough to feel like you're the 'temporary master of'. Its fully traverse-able in just a few hundred paces. Human-scale! This means you can see every bird and every tree-trunk; every flowerbed. Really get to know it. Nice. #1 reason why Cannonball Park is one of the best in town? No New Yorkers! And also no tourists! The place is practically deserted! That's what any sane person wants... read more

A beautiful escape in a busy city, this park is nestled under the Verrizano bridge. There are several nice war monuments, and a massive cannon/cannonball display to climb upon. Not into history? Take a walk, check out a gazebo, or relax on one of the many benches. It really is a retreat to come read a book, take a leisurely stroll, or sprawl on the grass and get back to nature. read more

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Freakin' sweet, one of my two favorite places in Bay Ridge. I spent a lotta time there in the 1960's/70's. We used to hide our marijuana bags in the cannon, now I think it's plugged. Almost always a nice breeze off the Narrows. My other favorite spot is the hill in Bliss Park facing the 69th street pier. Swell place for a picnic. Haven't been to either spot in years. read more

This park is nice enough as parks go. It's very scenic. If I wasn't in the neighborhood would I go out of my way to come here? Probably not. The pathway around the park is warped. Tons of benches though and a cute little gazebo. Lots of people stroll here with their dogs and babies. Like others said there are a few monuments to check out. It'd be a great place for picnics. But there are a few men who seem to hang out there frequently. And not in the, hey I'm enjoying the weather kind of way but more like, when does the liquor store open kind of way. But that's the city for you. It's just kind of is what it is. read more

A very chill park to sit down in and take in the views of the bridge. Love the canon and the fact that you can just sit there in relative tranquility while Bay Ridge is busy bustling nearby. read more