NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City’s public pools are officially open to the public on Friday following a heat wave that caused temperatures to soar above 100 degrees.
All 50 pools have free entry. Mayor Eric Adams said pools weren’t able to open earlier, despite the extreme heat, due to all the preparations needed to be made.
Lifeguard shortages also continue to persist, with about 680 hired for pools and beaches this summer. In 2019, there were over 1,400 lifeguards.
The city is also bringing back adult lap swims, where some pools will have dedicated lap lane hours starting on July 7. The lap lane hours are 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., according to officials.
The Parks Department is also expanding its all-ages Learn to Swim program to 10 pools citywide in hopes of improving racial disparities when it comes to swimming. Around 64% of African American children have little to no swimming ability, according to a 2017 study from the USA Swimming Foundation.
Free lunches are on the menu at any outdoor pool for New Yorkers under 18 years old. Pools are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
To find your nearest free outdoor pool, click here.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
