City Hall Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, February 7, 2002

LIFEGUARD TRAINING HAS BEGUN!!!

Calling all high school and college kids!!! Looking for something to do this summer? Looking to learn a lot, earn a lot, and have fun? Lifeguarding at one of the city’s outdoor pools or beaches is the key to a rewarding summer! Training classes have begun and Summer 2002 is just around the corner.

Parks is pulling out all the stops this year to hire at least 1,000 lifeguards. For the first time ever, Lifeguard Training courses are being offered in all five boroughs. The course, aimed at recruiting new lifeguards, is offered to anyone over the age of 16 who can swim 50 yards in 35 seconds or less and has adequate vision. After completing the 40-hour course and fulfilling other requirements, participants qualify to become a lifeguard at one of seven beaches and fifty-three outdoor pools in New York City.

In addition to training courses in all five boroughs, a new addition to this year’s recruitment is an expansion of outreach to select schools around the city. By directly contacting guidance counselors, a better relationship can be formed with those schools and it can be assured that important promotional materials are being received and distributed.

Other noteworthy recruitment tactics that Parkies might notice in their own neighborhoods are advertising on NYC Transit buses and "Lifeguards Wanted" signs on designated Park vehicles. According to Jake Cooper, Director of Field Operations, a long-time goal of the program has been to hire 1,200, a number that’s possible through these exciting new recruiting efforts and training options. In addition to these efforts, Parks is looking forward to working with the Board of Education to offer school credit to student lifeguards that complete training in first aid, water safety, and CPR.

The first major attempt to recruit lifeguards for the city’s beaches and pools occurred in 1943. This summer’s lifeguards would be joining thousands of fellow New Yorkers who have spent their summer keeping people safe. There are over 10 million visitors to beaches and outdoor pools every year—a very popular summer recreation destination! Anyone interested in enrolling in a training course in any of the boroughs should call (212) 830-7880 for further information.

(Thursday, February 16, 1989)

Marking Women’s History Month, Parks will honor outstanding women landscape architects and sculptors with an exhibit, "Designing Women: Workers by Landscape Architects and Sculptors in New York City." The exhibit will be on display at the Tweed Gallery, 52 Chambers Street at City Hall Park from March 2 to March 29. Mayor Koch and Commissioner Stern will preside at an opening reception on March 2 at 6 P.M.

Using photographs, drawings and plans from the Parks Department historic archive, "Designing Women" brings to light the achievements of 12 trailblazers whose work is still visible in New York City parks.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined."

Henry David Thoreau
(1817-1862)