Twenty-Four Sycamores Park

This is a great little neighborhood park right under/​next to the Queensboro Bridge. It’s a little dated, but it seems like most parks are in the city. So far, I’ve only been in the fall and winter, and I’ve never had to deal with overcrowding. Though, it may be different in the spring and summer months.
This park features a basketball court (in the back of the park), two handball courts (in the back of the park), and two different age group playgrounds.
As a mother of a timid toddler, what I like most about this park is that the two different age group playgrounds are on completely opposite ends of the park. So if you have a little one like mine that is still learning to play and climb, and doesn’t really understand safety and surroundings completely, I don’t have to watch over her too much in fear of older kids running into her. Nor do I have to worry about her wanting to play with the older kids and bothering them. Obviously, this could be an issue if you have more than one kid that needs to play in the different playgrounds.
Also, the small kids playground has four swings. I like that the swing area is sectioned off with a low fence. Again, I don’t have to worry about my little one running into other kids’ swinging feet.
One thing I don’t like about the park is they do have about ten or so steps that will take you down to the playground for the older kids. I don’t remember seeing a ramp, so this could be an issue if you’re dealing with a stroller and/​or wheelchair. I’ve always entered the park on York Avenue (this leads you directly to the playground for smaller kids), but it’s possible they have a different entrance. Maybe in the back where the courts are on FDR Drive, or on E 61^st Street?
Also, in regards to the steps, I wish they would have put a fence where the stairs are. Again, having a little one that’s not that great on the stairs yet, it would have been nice if I didn’t have to worry about her taking off and possibly tumbling down the stairs.
FYI, they have water fountains and a public bathroom available. I’ve used neither, but I have seen parents bring their children inside, so I’m assuming that it is mildly clean and safe.
Also, I see a lot of other parents bring their kids here. A great place to meet other parents. Tons of seating available. They even have a few tables in the older playground section where the tables have a built in checker board.
Oh, and because this park is pretty much next to the east river, it can get a bit chilly and windy there.
I know people living in the midtown east area either bring their kids to this park, or the one on 49^th street. Personally, I prefer this one. I think this park is larger, the actual playgrounds actually larger and more age appropriate, is shaded, and less noisy. However, this playground does not have a sandbox vs the one on 49^th street does.