Three Bay Ridge parks, which are just minutes apart, are getting major upgrades.

Even though much of the work is still underway, one can already see the transformation taking shape.

At McKinley Playground, the first thing that jumps out is the color. Bright, playful shades are already splashed across the new play area, the kind of colors that instantly catch a kid’s attention. The playground is still under construction, with crews finishing pathways, preparing the spray area and getting ready to install new swings. But once it’s complete, children will have a more modern and interactive space to climb, splash and run around. The design focuses on accessibility, giving kids of all ages and abilities a place where they can explore and play together.

Just 10 minutes away, John Paul Jones Park has already completed its $1.4 million renovation. The park now has freshly repaved paths, new benches and a redesigned entrance that opens up the space in a simple, inviting way. It’s a quieter park, the kind of place neighbors come to catch their breath, sit in the shade, or take a peaceful walk. After years of aging conditions, the refresh brings new life to a historic corner of the neighborhood.

Over at Owl’s Head Park, the construction is more obvious, but so is the excitement. A bright and colorful new basketball court is taking shape, the kind of court kids are already calling “their spot,” even though it’s still fenced off. Crews are also rebuilding the playground, updating sitting areas, improving drainage and adding new lighting and bottle-filling fountains to make the park safer and more comfortable for families who use it every day. When it’s finished, the park will feel more open, more kid-friendly, and better prepared for the crowds it draws all year long.

Parks commissioner Martin Maher says these upgrades are long overdue, and the goal is simple: give kids and families in Bay Ridge the kind of parks they can grow up in, return to and enjoy. Whether they’re shooting hoops, splashing in the spray area, running through new pathways, or finding a quiet corner to relax.