Brooklyn Citywide Pool Holds Preview, Opens 6/29

Today, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and City Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Sara Gonzalez, at the citywide pool opening preview in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Children from P.S. 169 leapt into the pool with the first splash of the season. Also in attendance were synchronized swimmers The Harlem Honey Bears, and musical performers The Sunset Park Chinese Dancers. Attendees were treated to a barbecue lunch, sponsored by Western Beef and Honest Tea.

Beginning Tuesday, June 29 through Labor Day - Monday, September 6 - all 54 outdoor pools throughout the city will be open to the public.

"As the hot summer days approach, there are few better ways to beat the heat than by taking a dip in a local pool," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "City pools provide free summer fun for the entire family. Swimming is a great form of recreation, but for many it is also a survival skill, a competitive sport, and a lifetime passport to health and fitness. We hope New Yorkers will take advantage of our free youth Learn to Swim and adult Lap Swim programs, which focus on basic swim instruction and ways to stay fit. As always, please remember to follow pool rules, listen to lifeguards, know your swimming limits, and most of all, have fun!"

Parks & Recreation offers children free Learn to Swim lessons at select pools, as well as the opportunity to join a swim team and train for the City's Eleventh Annual Five-Borough Championship swimming competition to be held on August 7.

For adults, Parks offers for the 28th year free Lap Swim program, which designates "Early Bird" lap swim hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and "Night Owl" lap-swim hours from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or dusk at selected pool locations citywide, allowing for uninterrupted swimming that focuses on health and fitness.

Each summer, Parks hosts the Department of Education's free summer lunch program at all of its pool sites (and some playgrounds and camp programs). Children 18 and under can get breakfast and lunch for free on weekdays - no ID or registration is required.

For additional information on swimming opportunities at Parks, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.