For a Jungle Gym Inspired by a Revolutionary War Fort

FORT GREENE PLAYGROUND, St. Edwards and Willoughby Sts., Fort Greene the bilevel playground in the northwest corner of Fort Greene Park is great “for engaging children’s imaginations, because you really feel like you’re in a magical place,” says Monika Stanislawek, who teaches at the Brooklyn Waldorf School in Bed-Stuy. The main attraction is a huge forest-green-and-peachcolored jungle gym, dubbed “New Fort Greene” and inspired by the park’s role in the Revolutionary War. There are other nods to the historic fort that predated the park, but you don’t need to have a doctorate in American history to enjoy the slides, ramps, monkey bars, and separate toddler area. “Some playgrounds have bright colors, and there’s all sorts of crazy things, but this one just gives you a beautiful basic framework so the child’s imagination goes wild,” says Stanislawek. When you’re done playing, check out the 13 stone pillars with bronze plaques that identify the state trees and animals of the original 13 colonies.