Press Releases

NYC Parks today was awarded $46.1 million in grant funding through the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative to support important capital improvements at five public swimming pools. The projects include the construction of a new aquatics center in the Arverne and Edgemere neighborhoods of Queens, a complete reconstruction of Van Cortlandt Pool in the Bronx, a renovation of the Hamilton Fish and Hansborough Recreation Center Pools in Manhattan, and a reconstruction and expansion of the mini-pool at Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan.

“Access to safe swimming facilities shouldn’t be a luxury — it’s a necessity, especially as climate change makes our summers warmer and warmer,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We’re investing more money in New York City’s pools than at any point in the last 50 years, and we’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her partnership in making sure that New Yorkers in all five boroughs can beat the heat and learn to swim in high-quality swimming pools."

"So many New Yorkers' first experience with the water is in one of our city's free public pools. Our facilities are essential infrastructure for teaching swimming and water safety skills, rebuilding our pipeline of lifeguards, and keeping New Yorkers cool in the face of rising temperatures. We’re thrilled to receive support to upgrade five public pool facilities, to ensure that our legacy of providing these critical free services continues into the next generation and beyond,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re grateful to Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for supporting these essential improvements and for working to ensure all New Yorkers have equitable access to world-class swimming facilities.”

Details on the projects are as follows:

Arverne East Aquatic Center, Queens ($10 million): Parks will develop a new aquatics center that features both an outdoor and indoor pool, serving as a hub for recreation, fitness, and aquatics related training. This project will bring the Rockaway Peninsula its first public pool. The site is also home to a 35-acre nature preserve, operated by NYC Parks, and a state-of-the-art community center both of which were completed and opened in May 2023.

Van Cortlandt Park Pool, Bronx ($10 million): This project will reconstruct the entire pool complex at Van Cortlandt Park, including the pool tubs and decks for the main and wading pools, filtration system, and will also add new security lighting, locker rooms and offices, while making the facility fully ADA accessible. This marks the first substantial renovation of the facility since it was originally built in 1968.

Hansborough Recreation Center Pool, Manhattan ($10 million): Upgrades will be made to the pool building interior and exterior, filtration system, elevator, and boilers. Exterior work will reconstruct the brick façades and parapet, providing for a new roof and large center skylight to allow the pool area to be illuminated with natural light during the day.

Hamilton Fish Recreation Center Pool, Manhattan ($10 million): This project will reconstruct the recreation center, located on the Lower East Side, including a renovation of the pool filter building, pool tub, and pool deck, as well as roof replacement, new restrooms and construction of an ADA lift.

Tompkins Square Park Mini-Pool, Manhattan ($6.1 million): This project will reconstruct and expand the park’s current above-ground mini pool, replacing it with and in-ground mini pool that can hold more than twice as many patrons. Additionally, the project will replace and upsize the filtration, utilities, and pool support systems, expand the width of the pool decks, replace the perimeter fencing and gates around the pool, and add outdoor pool showers for bathers to use.

In June, Mayor Adams and NYC Parks announced Let’s Swim NYC, a $1 billion capital investment in improving New York City’s public pools over the course of five years.

This summer, NYC Parks reopened Astoria Pool in Queens – the city’s largest public pool – after an approximately $19 million reconstruction, with a brand-new pool shell, pool deck, and state-of-the-art filtration and chemical treatment systems. In addition, a $4.2 million project expanded the in-ground mini pool at Edenwald Playground in the Bronx and made it ADA accessible. The project also upgraded the site’s existing basketball courts, added shade trees, seating areas, and drinking fountains.