Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Park Slope Moms Sick Of Playground Potheads
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 21, 2011
Modified Sep 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Google Maps
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 21, 2011
Modified Sep 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The "turf war" for Brooklyn's playgrounds continues, and not just in Crown Heights. One Park Slope playground is reportedly infested with young men who curse loudly, smoke marijuana and call themselves Top Notch Gentleman (TNG)—after the little ones have had their time to play, naturally. And mom's around the Park Slope Playground are not amused.
The problems reportedly start around 6 p.m. when, according to one mom, "there is a transition." Older kids "hang on the tables. Smoking pot. Cursing up a storm. You feel intimidated." One kid apparently even told one mom, "Who the fuck are you, old lady?" before older men chased him out of the park. And the boys and men are not denying they use the space as they please. One 23-year-old member of the TNG tells a News reporter that "We wait till six or seven o'clock so the kids have time here after school. Then we come here and play spades and basketball. This park is home to everybody. We ain't moving."
Police—who we know are happy to ticket adults without minors in playgrounds—say they are aware of the problem and have issued summonses for possession when they catch kids smoking. Or, as one TNG member puts it: "They arrest us; check us for warrants and we are home 2 hours later." But, he says, "For all those people who want peace and quiet, Brooklyn isn't the place for you."
Tagged
brooklyn
nypd
park slope
safety
top notch gentlemen
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .