New York City provides free access to spray showers in 584 parks and to 79 pools at 56 different locations throughout the five boroughs. With summer in NYC comes warm weather and the need to cool down and have fun in the sun. For children, fun means running through sprinklers, or as the City calls them: spray showers, and swimming in pools.

This past weekend, City beaches opened for swimming for the summer. From May 27 to September 10, 2023, swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM, and prohibited when lifeguards are off duty. All beaches are free and open to the public.

On February 27, 2023, Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined elected officials, community board representatives and community members to celebrate the reopening of the Flushing Meadows Aquatics Center, located near the intersection of Meridian Road and East Road in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. 

The project will be the first “design-build” project for the Parks Department. On November 23, 2022, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Design and Construction announced the design for the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island. The recreation center will be located adjacent to the Lyons Pools and across from the site of the former Cromwell Center, the area’s previous recreation center which closed after a structural collapse … <Read More>

The agency also piloted a new water safety program for 250 children. On September 8, 2022, the Parks Department shared statistics, updates and accomplishments to celebrate the end of the summer 2022 beach and pool season. The City’s eight public beaches and 53 outdoor pools close for the season this Sunday, September 11th. 

Starting Saturday, May 28, 2022, City beaches will be open for swimming for the summer. From May 28th to September 11, 2022, swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM, and prohibited when lifeguards are off duty.