Since we're expecting a warm weekend—soaring upwards of a toasty 50 degrees—we're beginning to daydream about our summer bucket list.
While we have sunshine, BBQs and kids' amusement parks on the brain, NYC Parks has provided another reason to look forward to the warm weather: Six public pools across the five boroughs are getting makeovers, and it's the perfect way to make a splash this season.
According to the Parks Department, the following pools are receiving some TLC as part of the "Cool Pools" initiative:
- Wagner (Manhattan)
- Dry Dock (Manhattan)
- Liberty (Queens)
- Claremont (Bronx)
- Commodore Barry (Brooklyn)
- Tottenville (Staten Island)
The 2018 Cool Pools pilot program included $350,00 worth of updates to five NYC pools, including new paint jobs, umbrellas, chairs and artwork in attempts to make the locations summer hotspots. It was such a success that the venues—Fisher Pool in East Elmhurst, Mapes Pool in East Tremont, Sheltering Arms Pool in Harlem, West Brighton Pool in Staten Island and the Douglas and DeGraw Pool in Gowanus—saw more than a 27 percent increase in attendance, according to amNY.
Before you make your way to the best swimming pools for kids (and familiarize yourself with all of the rules) on the opening day, June 27, make sure to take a look at NYC Parks' free Learn to Swim Programs. Registration is currently underway and will end on March 18 at 11:59pm. The spring season takes place from March 25–June 8. Sounds like a great way to beat the summer rush!
Don't forget your towels!
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