Whether you're looking for an ideal picnic spot with friends or if you'd like to go outside and read a book alone, there are several places to do it in Williamsburg. Each of these parks have something different to offer.
1. McCarren Park
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The largest park in Williamsburg, McCarren boasts a running track, baseball and softball fields, two dog parks, a Greenmarket on Saturdays, and plenty of places to sit in the grass. In 2012, the McCarren Park swimming pool will reopen as a brand new facility with two pools and a gym.
2. East River Park
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If it's water you're after, look no further than the East River Park located on Kent Avenue between N.8th and 9th Streets. This seven acre park boasts incredible views of Manhattan and the River. In the summer, free concerts are thrown here. In the warmer months it's a great place to chill out with a picnic or work on your tan.
3. Grand Ferry Park
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Over on Grand Street just past Kent Avenue you'll find a small road that leads down to the water. If crowds drive you crazy, this little area down by the water, with a few benches is a great place to have a coffee and enjoy the breeze and the view.
4. McGolrick Park
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Though McGolrick Park isn't near the water and is much smaller than McCarren, it's a beautiful place to sit adn relax in Greenpoint. There are beautiful oak trees and benches that line the borders of the park and a playground for the kiddies.
5. Northside Piers
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Though technically these piers belong to the condos above them, they are open to the public and well worth the visit. On Kent and N. 4th, jutting out several hundred feet into the water, this relatively new pier gives great views of all the bridges on the East River and a breathtaking view of Manhattan.