With the rise of mercury, choose to cool off in an aquatic oasis nestled in the middle of the urban jungle. Manhattan residents have a dozen public outdoor pools, along with four additional “mini pools,” to choose from, managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and best of all, they’re free. Please note that New York’s outdoor public pool season runs from June 29 to September 11, 2016 (with additional indoor pools that are open year-round); Pool hours are 11am to 7pm (though note that pools are broken for cleaning between 3pm and 4pm).
Venture out channeling your inner Olympic swimmer into several Olympic pools (our favorite is the massive Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side), or perfect your dive in designated dive pools, like the John Jay Pool, located throughout of the East River in Yorkville. Or dive in the middle of Central Park at Lasker’s rink and pool (which transforms into an ice skating rink every winter).
The Parks Department even runs a series of free swimming lessons, courtesy of its »Learn to Swim» program for children and adults (apply through the online lottery system). Additionally, early morning and after hours swim hours are available at select sites.
Some perfect pool day tips include bringing a combination lock to keep your belongings safe in the lockers on site while you go swimming (although it’s an even smarter move to leave your valuables at home altogether). Note that food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and even newspapers (which tend to blow on windy days) are not allowed in any public swimming pool in New York.
Here’s the information on where to dive into the fun as the dog days of summer begin:
1. Abe Lincoln’s Pool
where: 5th Ave. & E. 135th St.
What: Mini outdoor pool (dimensions: 40 ‘x 20’ x 3 ‘)
2. Asser Levy Pool
Where: Asser Levy Pl. & E. 23rd St.
What: Outdoor mezzanine pool (dimensions: 120 ‘x 45’ x 4 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 41.67 ‘x 25’ x 1.5 ‘)
3. Dry dock pool
where: E. 10th St. btwn Birds. C and D
What: Outdoor mezzanine pool (dimensions: 75 ‘x 60’ x 3 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 30 ‘x 20’ x 1.5 ‘)
4. Frederick Douglass Pool
where: Amsterdam Ave. between points 100 and 102
What: Mini outdoor pool (dimensions: 40 ‘x 20’ x 3 ‘)
5. Hamilton Fish Pool
Where: Pitt St. and Houston St.
What: Olympic outdoor pool (dimensions: 165 ‘x 98’ x 3.5 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 67 ‘x 98’ x 2.5 ‘)
6. Highbridge Pool
where: Amsterdam Ave. & W. 173rd St.
What: Olympic outdoor pool (dimensions: 220 ‘x 162’ x 10.5 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 220 ‘x 92’ x 2 ‘)
7. Jackie Robinson Pool
where: Bradhurst Ave. & W. 146th St.
What: Olympic Outdoor Pool (Dimensions: 235 ‘x 82’ x 3.5 ‘)
8. John Jay Pool
Where: East of York Ave. at 77th Street
What: Mezzanine outdoor pool (dimensions: 145 ‘x 49’ x 4 ‘); outdoor diving pool (dimensions: 60 ‘x 40’ x 8 ‘)
9. Lasker Pool
where: 110th St. and Lenox Ave.
What: Olympic outdoor pool (dimensions: 240 ‘x 190’ x 3.75 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 63.5 ‘x 14.5’ x 1.25 ‘)
10. Marcus Garvey Pool
where: 124th St. and Fifth Ave.
What: Mezzanine Outdoor Pool (Dimensions: 165 ‘x 75’ x 4 ‘)
11. Sheltering Arms Pool
Where: W. 129th St. and Amsterdam Ave.
What: Outdoor mezzanine pool (dimensions: 75 ‘x 60’ x 3.5 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 30 ‘x 20’ x 1.5 ‘)
12. Thomas Jefferson Pool
Where: E. 112th St. & First Ave.
What: Olympic outdoor pool (dimensions: 239 ‘x 97’ x 4 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 48 ‘x 97’ x 1.5 ‘)
13. Tompkins Square Pool
where: Ave. A btwn E. 7th and E. 10th Sts.
What: Mini outdoor pool (dimensions: 40 ‘x 20’ x 3 ‘)
14. Tony Dapolito Pool
Where: Clarkson St. and Seventh Ave. S.
What: Outdoor mezzanine pool (dimensions: 100 ‘x 50’ x 9 ‘); outdoor diving pool (dimensions: 35 ‘x 47’ x 9 ‘)
15. Vesuvio Pool
where: Thompson St. btwn Spring & Prince Sts.
What: Mini outdoor pool (dimensions: 40 ‘x 20’ x 3 ‘)
16. Wagner Pool
Where: E. 124th St. btwn First & Second Aves.
What: Outdoor mezzanine pool (dimensions: 75 ‘x 60’ x 3.5 ‘); outdoor paddling pool (dimensions: 24 ‘x 24’ x 9 ‘)
