Where to find a free pool in New York
'01.07.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Every day during the summer season, thousands of New Yorkers are on the lookout for outdoor pools. And if the pool is free, then it's doubly great.
You can find the closest free pool to you at New York City Department of Parks and Recreation website.
Another hot summer has arrived. And residents of the Big Apple can relax in one of the 53 outdoor pools in the New York City park system. Pools operated by the New York City Parks Administration are free and open to the public from late June through the Sunday after Labor Day (until September 11, 2022). NYC Parks also operates 12 indoor pools located in recreation centers.
Additional services
For years, NYC Parks has offered free swimming lessons to children. program free swimming launched in 1938 after reports of 400 drownings a year in New York.
Program “Learn to swim” very popular. The Parks Department estimated that thousands of people learned to swim as a result of these lessons. Today, as part of the Learn to Swim program, about 7000 children study every summer.
Free pools in different boroughs
Bronx
There are 9 outdoor pools in Bronka, as well as 2 mini-pools and one indoor.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has 14 outdoor pools, including 5 plunge pools, and 3 indoor pools.
Manhattan
The Manhattan area has 16 outdoor pools, as well as 4 plunge pools and 6 indoor pools.
Queens
Queens has 7 outdoor pools, three plunge pools and two indoor pools.
Staten island
Staten Island has 7 outdoor pools, including 3 plunge pools.
On the subject: 11 rooftop pools in NYC with the best views
Pool Hours
Outdoor pools are open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 with a cleaning break from 15:00 to 16:00.
You can find the closest free pool to you at New York City Department of Parks and Recreation website.
What to wear
You will need to bring your swimsuit with you to enter the pool. For men, men's shorts may be checked for lining if they cannot determine if a bathing suit is being worn. Feeling the need to get out of the sun? Wear a plain white shirt and a white hat. Shirts with colored inscriptions are not allowed. And don't forget to use sunscreen! By the way, you can also get free sunscreen at the city pools in the five districts.
Information for parents
Thinking about bringing floats with you? It's safer to leave them at home and just stay in the shallow water of the pool until the kids learn to swim. Want to take a deeper risk? Sign your kids up for free swimming lessons.
Toddlers can put on swim sleeves before heading into the water. If you bring a stroller with you, the pool will not be able to look after it. So take it with you at your own risk.
What to take with you
When going to the pool, make sure you have a secure lock. This will keep your valuables safe and will allow you to swim without thinking that someone might steal them.
What not to take with you
You will need to leave food, glass bottles, electronic devices and newspapers at home. Unrelated periodicals tend to fly apart and create garbage. You will need to clean up after eating. Just in case, it is recommended to leave valuables, such as jewelry and credit cards, at home.
There is often a queue to enter city pools. But it's worth the wait. Sometimes management adds swim sessions and limits the amount of time you can swim in the pool.
