Press Releases

First-of-its kind RFEI released today soliciting plans for programming, services, or concessions that will reimagine how we use our pool spaces from October through March

NYC Parks today has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (“RFEI”) for the operation of off-season activations at several pool sites citywide from October through March. Parks is seeking plans for active or passive recreation, and for services, programming, and concessions that will enhance pool spaces during the winter season while improving the quality of life for visitors and the surrounding community. By opening these locations Parks is creating much needed additional space to benefit families, facilitate innovative programs, and keep pool sites running as community hubs in the winter season.

“Our city’s outdoor pools are an essential part of summer in New York, and NYC Parks is excited to keep those spaces active and engaging in the winter months with new pool deck programming,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This is the first time we’re looking to open six of our pools simultaneously during the winter to create concessions that will enhance the off-season recreation options in our public spaces. We encourage proposers to think of new and exciting ways to use these locations to make spaces for connection, keep children and adults active, and provide New Yorkers with exciting and dynamic programming.”

Off-season activation is being considered at the following six outdoor pools:

Astoria Pool, Queens: Opened in 1936, this is the largest swimming pool in New York City. For this location, Parks is seeking plans for activations at the diving pool plaza.

Foster Pool, Bronx: North of Yankee Stadium, this pool was recently upgraded as part of the Cool Pools initiative. This pool is situated in a residential neighborhood comprised of multi-family apartment buildings and is easily accessible by public transit. Foster Pool contains an intermediate-sized pool and a wading pool.

Jackie Robinson Pool, Manhattan: This designated Historic Harlem Park is a pillar of the community and boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool which is easily accessible via public transit.

Hamilton Fish Pool, Manhattan: Located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, this center has both Olympic and wading pools with public restrooms available in the park.

McCarren Pool, Brooklyn: This Olympic-sized pool is located on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn, situated at the south end of the park. The area surrounding the pool is within a Special Mixed-Use District, containing manufacturing and residential areas nearby.

Thomas Jefferson Pool, Manhattan: Located on East 112th Street, this high-traffic neighborhood park is easily accessible by public transit. This center has an Olympic-sized pool and wading pool, with a separate entrance from the recreation center at its east end.

Expressions of Interest should include the proposer’s vision and goals for the site, in addition to their qualifications and past projects. Revenue and expense projections for the project, including staffing and timeline forecasts should be included, as well as a community outreach and marketing plans. Plans for equipment acquisition, set-up/take-down, ADA compliance, and security should also be included in the submission. Any proposed on-site structures, and any equipment, should be temporary and be removable by the concessionaire within 48 hours notice by Parks.

If, upon review by Parks, a new concession idea appears to be feasible, appropriate and advantageous to the City, Parks will then consider beginning the concession solicitation process through the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP).

To view the RFEI in full, visit the NYC Parks Concessions Opportunities page and select the Off-Season Pool/Deck Activations option. There will be a recommended proposer meeting on May 10, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.. If you are considering responding to this RFEI, please make every effort to attend this recommended remote proposer meeting. More information can be found in the RFEI.