NYC public pools are open for the summer. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

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. (more…)

Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

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.  (more…)

Rendering of the future Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center. Image Credit: Parks Dept.

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 in 2010. The former center was demolished in 2013. (more…)

Attendance at outdoor pools has increased 20 percent over the 2021 season. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

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.  (more…)

Coney Island, along with the City’s other public beaches, opens for Memorial Day weekend. Image Credit: NYC Parks/ Malcolm Pinckney

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.  (more…)