Prospect Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, July 5, 2002

CITYWIDE POOL OPENING—SPLASH INTO 53 POOLS THIS SUMMER!

On Friday, June 28, over 1000 swimmers splashed into summer by attending the Hamilton Fish Pool opening party. The celebration commemorated the 2002 opening of the city’s 53 pools that are free to the public. Pool-goers chowed down on hot dogs and hamburgers, provided by Western Beef, as SpongeBob SquarePants, ZAPP dancers, and a Calypso/Funk Band entertained them. Seashell necklaces were also handed out to add to the tropical pool party theme.

The Parks pools opened to the public on Saturday, June 29. Regular hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week until Labor Day. The 14 miles of beaches are also open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until Labor Day. Pool and beach goers should always remember to swim only when lifeguards are on duty.

"For much of the year, our staff spends their days cleaning, greening, and administering programs in our parks and recreation facilities. Once the beach and pool season begins many of them leave their ‘field’ jobs to take a new challenge.

We are looking forward to another great summer in New York’s parks. Remember to never swim without a lifeguard on duty,’ stated Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

Once again, Parks will offer several free programs for interested swimmers. Learn-To-Swim is a free swim instruction class for children ages 1 ½ to 14. The program will emphasize not only swimming skills but also water safety. Registration for the first session will be held on July 8. Also starting July 8 will be the lap swim program. The adult lap swim program allows adults to swim laps for health and fitness at designated times without interruption from other swimmers. For the third year, Parks will offer the Five Borough Championship swimming competition. At 12 outdoor swimming pools citywide, this program will help train swimmers, organize teams, and run the Championship competition scheduled for August 17, 2002 at Hamilton Fish Pool. The final program, only offered at Astoria Pool, allows senior citizens and disabled swimmers to participate in water exercise classes, swim instruction, and water ballet.

A complete list of all 53 pools is available on the Parks Website at www.nyc.gov/parks. Call 718-699-4219 for more information on swimming programs.

"There are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people."

Gilbert K. Chesterton

(1874–1936)