A big beautiful playground just off Tillary Street, the McLaughlin playground was an unexpected treat. 

We were walking down toward DUMBO on a chilly fall day and saw the playground after crossing the street. It's surrounded by other recreational facilities, and on a Saturday afternoon we were the only people there. 

The theme of the playground is the city – a generic city – but a fairly unique theme among the city's playgrounds. The platforms are disguised as buildings, and there is a bridge that vaguely could be the George Washington Bridge or Manhattan Bridge, or their love child. It was a great feature that I loved and the toddler loved, and in part because our toddler was suddenly into bridges that week. I guess he's still into bridges now, but that was when he first figured it out. 

Strangely, despite this city-themed playground, there is an artificial rock that's part of the set up. It's not great for climbing but presumably that's what is for. 

The equipment was extensive and offered a big play area. The tots section was big too and there was a lot of room in the park generally. The big trees would have provided shade in the summer, but most of the leaves had fallen off already. 

This simply a beautiful playground, with a nice theme and good equipment. I can't say I'm all that surprised that downtown Brooklyn is getting the nice playground.

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The park was first acquired in 1884. It was named for Hugh McLaughlin Jr, am Irish Catholic community leader. The park was last renovated in 2006.

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