Showing posts with label city pools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city pools. Show all posts

Thursday, June 29, 2023

City pools open today (but not the Tompkins Square Park mini pool)

Photos Tuesday by Steven 

Dozens of outdoor city pools reopen for the season today (Thursday, June 29). 

First, let's start with what won't be open — the Tompkins Square Park mini pool, which is looking science fiction-y...
The mini pool is closed for the next two summers as part of the field house renovations in Tompkins Square Park

While the pool doesn’t appear to be part of the construction, it’s all about the plumbing, which we're told is a disaster. 

And every year, we hear from people who had no idea there was a mini pool in Tompkins Square Park. The mini pool is open for children and their parents-guardians. Just there — under the arrows by the basketball courts...
As for what is open...the Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston and the Dry Dock Pool on 10th Street and Avenue D.

Outdoor hours are from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Find more info about city pools at this link

The outdoor pools are in service through Sept. 10.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

City raises hourly wage for lifeguards to ease pool staff shortage

Photo Tuesday at Hamilton Fish Pool by Stacie Joy

NYC is raising the starting wages for all lifeguards to $19.46 per hour — a 22% pay raise — for the summer to help combat the lifeguard shortage that has limited city pool and beach availability. 

In addition, officials have developed a training program to fully staff the city's mini pools, such as the one in Tompkins Square Park, for ages 16 and under (and their guardians). 

"Every New Yorker deserves to safely enjoy our city's public pools and beaches this summer and my team has taken extraordinary measures to make that happen. Today we reached a deal with the lifeguard union to address the immediate needs of our pools," Mayor Adams said in a statement yesterday

As Gothamist pointed out
The temporary pay raise comes as city pools have struggled to open at full capacity or in some cases, at all. Many have criticized Adams for failing to raise the pay prior to the start of the season as problems of a national lifeguard shortage became apparent. 
Just how severe is the shortage? Per City & State: 
The agreement between the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the union representing lifeguards, District Council 37, is the latest in a long-standing effort to adequately staff the city’s 53 pools and 14 miles of beaches. As of Tuesday, there are currently about 778 lifeguards, which is roughly half of the city’s parks department goal of 1,400 to 1,500 people each summer. 
This summer, the city was forced to cancel all swim programs, including lap and senior swim. Starting this past Friday, hours were split into five separate sessions at crowded pools to provide access to more patrons.
In an email from Tuesday, an EVG reader and longtime East Village resident shared his experiences at Dry Dock (above) on 10th Street at Avenue D with his family on the Fourth of July (he shared the letter with local elected officials as well): 
The pool service has been downgraded since last year when it was an absolute delight. 

Specifically the downgrades I noticed are: 
  • Only half of the main pool was available to swimmers 
  • The kiddie pool was closed 
  • The games (corn hole, oversized connect four, etc) weren't out 
  • The staff said there was an hour wait to get in on all previous days. 
According to the Parks Department's Twitter, there is a lifeguard shortage. But according to the staff that I spoke with, this lifeguard shortage is because NY state pays more, and so all lifeguards can take a job with the state instead of the city. 

However, there were no less than 2 police officers on duty at the pool at any time. I don't believe there were any officers at the pool last year. 

So... the city has money to pay overtime for NYPD officers to be at the pool but not enough to pay a competitive rate for lifeguards?

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

City pools open TODAY

Dozens of outdoor city pools reopen for the season TODAY ... locally, this means the Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston (above, as seen on Saturday), the Dry Dock Pool on 10th Street and Avenue D and the Tompkins Square Park mini pool... which workers were filling on Sunday morning (don't forget to skim the pool for leaves and beers!) ... 
Every year, we hear from people who had no idea there was a mini pool in Tompkins Square Park. The mini pool is open for children and their parents-guardians. 

If this helps with location ...
Outdoor hours are from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Find more info about city pools at this link. The mini pool is open until Labor Day, with the larger pools in service through Sept. 11.

And an important — and unfortunate — note about pool programming this summer: "Due to the current national lifeguard shortage, all swim programs, including lap swim, senior swim, and Learn to Swim, have been canceled for summer 2022."

Friday, March 11, 2022

Pre-spring look at the Tompkins Square Park mini pool

Photo today by Steven 

Outdoor city pools reopen on June 28 — who's ready for a dip in the Tompkins Square Park mini pool? (And yes — Tompkins Square Park has a mini pool!

Well! OK, the pool isn't quite in summer mode just yet... the fallen branch has been in the pool since September. The barricade is new(er)! 

Anyway, Parks staff say this will be removed (and raked?) ahead of pool season.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

You have through Sunday to swim in city pools (though not the Tompkins Square Park mini pool)



The Tompkins Square Park mini pool is now closed until next summer. The pool season ended here on Labor Day... and workers have already drained (most of) the water, as these photos via EVG Mini-Pool Correspondent Steven show...



However, because it's still summer (woooooo!), the city's 50-plus outdoor public pools remain open. So you have until Sunday evening (Sept. 8!) to enjoy Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston and the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and 10th Street.

Outdoor pools are open daily from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3-4 p.m.

Same rules apply as they did on opening day in June: No urinating or defecating in the pools.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

In the swim: City pools open today



The Parks Department opens the city's 50-plus outdoor public pools for the summer today.

Nearby choices include Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston ... the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and East 10th Street (pictured in this post) ... and the Tompkins Square Pool (mini pool for kids and anyone who sneaks in after dark!).

Outdoor pools are open daily from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3-4 p.m. The pools close for the season on Sunday, Sept. 8. The Tompkins Square Park mini pool closes on Labor Day.

New this season: Dry Dock is now designated a Cool Pool via the city...



What does that mean? Per the Parks Dept. ...

Our Cool Pools are now more fun, relaxing and welcoming with:

• fun summer-themed wall art,
• lounge chairs for sunbathing and relaxing poolside,
• cabana-style shade structures to help keep you cool,
• plantings to make our pools greener
• fun and free poolside activities, including games, sports, arts and crafts, and fitness classes



As a reminder, the Hamilton Fish Pool has a Lap Swim program, which takes place July 5 through Aug. 30. This link has more details, such as the hours.

And as always — this PSA about the RULES for the POOLS, which include:

You’ll need to have a swimsuit to enter the pool area. We may choose to check men’s shorts for a lining if we can’t tell if they are wearing a bathing suit. Feel the need to cover up from the sun? Throw on a plain white shirt or white hat and you’re set. We don’t allow shirts with colors on them on the deck.

And...

No urinating or defecating in the pools.

Friday, June 29, 2018

An extra hour to swim this weekend at city pools


[Hamilton Fish Pool pic from Sunday]

The NYC Department of Parks & Rec announced today that, due to the excessive heat expected, general swim hours for outdoor pools are extended by an hour through 8 p.m. today, tomorrow and Sunday.

So around here, that means extra time at Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and Houston ... and the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and 10th Street.

City pools opened for the season back on Wednesday.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Life aquatic: City Pools open today for the summer


[Photo at Hamilton Fish Pool from Sunday]

The Parks Department opens the city's 50-plus outdoor public pools for the summer today.

Nearby choices include Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston ... the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and East 10th Street ... and the Tompkins Square Pool (mini pool for kids!) ...

Outdoor pools are open daily from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3-4 p.m. The pools close for the season on Sunday, Sept. 9. The Tompkins Square Park mini pool closes on Labor Day.


[Photo at Dry Dock from Sunday]

The Hamilton Fish Pool has a Lap Swim program, which takes place July 5 through Sept. 7. This link has more details.

And a quick reminder about the RULES for the POOLS. Namely, per the Parks Department website:

You’ll need to have a swimsuit to enter the pool area. We may choose to check men’s shorts for a lining if we can’t tell if they are wearing a bathing suit. Feel the need to cover up from the sun? Throw on a plain white shirt or white hat and you’re set. We don’t allow shirts with colors on them on the deck.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

City pools open today; and a reminder to have a swimsuit to enter the pool area (not my rules)


[Photo at Dry Dock from Sunday]

The Parks Department opens the city's 55 outdoor public pools for the summer today (Thursday!).

Around here, this means Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston ... the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and East 10th Street ... and the Tompkins Square Pool (mini pool for kids!) ...

Most pools are open from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

There are rules though to help govern our swimming season. Some helpful pointers via the Parks Department website (bolded a few things for you):

What to Wear
You’ll need to have a swimsuit to enter the pool area. We may choose to check men’s shorts for a lining if we can’t tell if they are wearing a bathing suit. Feel the need to cover up from the sun? Throw on a plain white shirt or white hat and you’re set. We don’t allow shirts with colors on them on the deck.

Information for Parents
Thinking of bringing floaties? It’s safer to leave them at home and just stay in the shallow end of the pool until everyone learns to swim. Want to venture deeper? Try some of our free swimming classes.

Babies or toddlers can put on swim diapers before they head into the water. While we may be able to find a place to park your stroller, we can’t keep an eye on it for you, so bring it at your own risk.

What to Bring
Make sure you have a sturdy lock when you head out to the pool. It will keep your valuables safe, and let you hit the water feeling more secure about your belongings. Locks are required to enter, and we will not accept luggage locks.

What Not to Bring
You’ll need to leave food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and newspapers at home. Unbound periodicals tend to blow around and create litter, food can be messy to clean up after, and there’s too much water around to make sure your electronics stay safe. Just to be on the safe side, we also recommend leaving valuables like jewelry and credit cards at home.

Again, these are not my rules. So don't take out your no-floatie frustrations here.

Finally, go here for info about the Hamilton Fish Pool Lap Swim program.