Hot on the heels of extreme summer temperatures, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa inaugurated the city's outdoor pool season. Scheduled to open tomorrow, the city's newest addition — Gottesman Pool in Central Park — will join 64 other public pools available for New Yorkers looking to cool off. Adams noted that access to these pools is especially crucial during heatwaves, ensuring "our most vulnerable New Yorkers cool and safe," according to a statement from the Mayor’s Office.
According to an announcement shared by the Mayor's office, the city now boasts 680 lifeguards, reflecting a near 10% increase from the previous year. It is a figure that's anticipated to grow as lifeguard certification is expected to go on until mid-July. Operating daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, New Yorkers will have ample time to dip into the waters, albeit with an hour's break for cleaning between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Unfortunately, arriving at 3:00 PM for a swim would mean they'll have to wait until after the pool is cleaned, as they're looking to beat the heat.
Adding to the city's efforts in promoting aquatic safety and accessibility, the "Learn to Swim" program is set for expansion in 10 locations across the city. "Our free outdoor pools are synonymous with summer for so many New Yorkers — they're incredible amenities that allow people to cool off, have fun, and stay fit," Rodriguez-Rosa told the Mayor's Office. Registration for the program can be found on the NYC Parks website, with a lottery system to facilitate access.
For adults looking to swim laps, the city has reintroduced Adult Lap Swim at one pool per borough. From July 7 to August 29, pools like the Van Cortlandt Park pool in the Bronx and the Kosciuszko pool in Brooklyn will offer uninterrupted lanes for fitness enthusiasts. A Senior Splash program will continue alongside, but unfortunately, it will only be available in a single pool per borough, leaving some senior swimmers wishing they had more options.
In memory of two teenagers who tragically drowned at Jacob Riis Beach last summer, the "Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins Swim for Life" program at Erasmus High School seeks to bolster swim safety education. Furthermore, a commitment from Mayor Adams injected an additional $5.5 million into expanding free swim safety classes for 18,000 second graders, a plan highlighted in his 2025 State of the City address, as noted by the Mayor's Office.
The major addition to this year's pool lineup is the Gottesman Pool at the Davis Center in Central Park, a project that demanded $160 million, including funds from both the city and private donations. It replaces the aging Lasker Pool and boasts a transformational design that will serve multiple purposes year-round. "This $160 million investment in the park's north end, the most significant and complex project in our organization's history, exemplifies how public parks can evolve to better serve their communities," said Central Park Conservancy President and CEO Betsy Smith, as mentioned in the Mayor's Office announcement.
To stay updated on the status of local pools and beaches, New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for the New York City Emergency Management's Notify NYC system. By subscribing, residents can receive real-time text and email updates about significant changes or temporary closures to their local watering holes.
