Outdoor pools just opened for the summer a couple weeks ago. But before you head to your closest pool, note that New York City public pools operate under a lot of rules. Know before you go.
There are 53 public outdoor pools currently maintained by the NYC Parks Department across all five boroughs, and plenty host programming all summer, like free swimming classes.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
How long are pools open for?
Most of the city’s outdoor pools, which are Olympic- and intermediate-sized, will stay open all summer long until Sunday, September 7, so don’t worry about missing out if you haven’t gone for a swim yet. Mini pools will close a bit sooner on Labor Day, which falls on Monday, September 1.
When it comes to the day-to-day, all outdoor pools are open from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily, seven days a week. Keep in mind that they close between 3 and 4 p.m. for cleaning every day, so plan your visit accordingly.
What to bring — or leave at home instead
It might sound obvious, but bring a swimsuit and make sure it’s the right kind. Men’s swim shorts must have lining. And if you want to bring T-shirts for you and your family to cover up from the sun, make sure they’re white. Shirts with colors on them are not allowed inside the pool or on the deck.
Also make sure to bring a padlock with you when you’re headed to the pool to safely store your belongings in a locker — the Parks Department warns that you won’t be able to get inside without one.
Your day at the pool can do without a few things too. If your kids want to bring any water toys with them, they’re not allowed, including floaties. Just to be extra safe, it’s also recommended that you leave any unnecessary valuable items like jewelry and credit cards at home. Any valuables you do bring, like your cellphone, should stay in your locker.
Safety first
If you’re concerned about keeping your family’s safety at the pool, there’s little to worry about this year. Lifeguard recruitment is up nearly 10% compared to late June of last year according to the mayor’s office, with 680 lifeguards as of June 26. It is, however, a lower number of lifeguards than there were pre-pandemic.
Even while lifeguard staffing is lower compared to pre-COVID numbers, drowning in a New York City pool is unlikely to happen. Out of 1 million visitors to NYC pools last summer, there were no reported fatal drownings. Compare this to the city’s beaches, where out of 7.4 million visitors in 2024, seven people drowned. This relatively low number is still the highest since 2019.
The city will continue hiring lifeguards through July, a process which involves a vision and swim exam, 40 hours of training, a CPR course and a final swim test. As a parent or guardian, you can rest assured that someone qualified will be keeping an eye on your kids at the pool.
It’s never too late, or too early, to learn how to swim
Want your kid to learn how to swim? The NYC Parks Department hosts plenty of swimming classes for youths aged 6-17 all year long, including the summertime. In Queens, registration for free summer swimming classes for kids at Astoria Pool and Fisher Pool is currently open. Dates vary, but the earliest registration deadline is July 17.
Wave Makers’ “free swim for second graders” is also offering free swimming classes to second and third graders all throughout the city. Students get free swimming lessons, water safety instruction and complimentary goggles and swim caps. In partnership with Council Members Julie Menin and Shekar Krishnan, the program will be doing 45-minute swim lessons once per week in Jackson Heights. To apply to Wave Makers’ program, download and fill out this form and email it to Sdecker@commonpoint.org.
What’s new this year and how to make the most of it
The city just opened its newest outdoor pool, the Gottesman Pool at the Harlem Meer in northern Central Park. It replaces the park’s old Lasker Pool and is among the largest pools in NYC. Consider planning a visit to see what the hype is about.
That being said, you don’t have to stick to your closest pool if you don’t want to — or if your closest pool isn’t even very close in the first place. Anyone is free to visit any outdoor public pool in the city. As Epicenter reported last summer, plenty of New Yorkers travel across boroughs to nicer pools that are less crowded, have shorter lines and have nicer facilities. A couple to consider are John Jay Pool on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Astoria Pool in Astoria, Queens. Our top tip to have a good experience at any pool is to show up early in the day, based on what last summer’s poolgoers shared.
