New York City Parks Kicks Off The 2021 Outdoor Pool Season At Van Cortlandt Pool

New York City NY

26 June, 2021

3:12 PM

Description

Press release from New York City Department of Parks & Recreation: June 24, 2021 A total of 16 outdoor pools have now received the Cool Pools treatment with new colors, art, and more! NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Community Board 8 Parks Chairperson Rosemary Ginty, and kids from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and the Davidson Community Center to celebrate the start of the outdoor pool season and debut the newest Cool Pool at Van Cortlandt Pool in the Bronx. After remarks, Commissioner Silver jumped in with the kids to celebrate the first splash of the summer. The season kickoff celebration featured music, refreshments, games, and giveaways. "The Summer of New York City will be a season unlike any other – and this year, we're making timeless summer classics like City pools more fun and vibrant than ever," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "New Yorkers count down the days to pool season in a normal year. This year, new Cool Pools will make these offerings more enjoyable than ever. I can't wait to join New Yorkers in staying cool and enjoying the outdoors this summer." "Summer is here, and so are the city's coolest spaces – our outdoor pools! I am thrilled to officially open outdoor pools for the season and celebrate this exciting step in our collective return to normalcy," said Commissioner Silver. "As one of our 16 Cool Pools citywide, Van Cortlandt Pool now boasts a colorful paint job and fun art, brightening up this community resource and helping Bronxites beat the heat in style." "It is a wonderful sign of progress against the COVID-19 pandemic that our public pools are reopening," Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said. "Thank you to Commissioner Silver and Borough Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa for coming to the best park in the entire city to celebrate this occasion, and I wish everyone in our community a tremendous and fun-filled summer at the pool." NYC Parks' outdoor pools will open beginning Saturday, June 26 through Sunday, September 12. Daily hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. Pool capacity will not be limited for the upcoming season. Social distancing is still recommended, and face coverings will be required to enter the facility. This summer, Parks is unveiling new Cool Pools at Van Cortlandt (BX), Howard (BK), and Bushwick (BK) pools. These pools have been transformed with a bright new paint palette, polar-themed art, new umbrellas provided by Poggesi USA, and more! Since 2018, the Cool Pools NYC initiative has upgraded a total of 16 pools, giving New Yorkers the chance to see an old neighborhood amenity in a new way. The Cool Pools sites are: NYC Parks has once again installed sunscreen dispensers to provide free SPF 30 sun protection at outdoor pools and beaches. Parks will also again partner with the Department of Education to offer free lunches at sites across the city, including Cool Pools. Meals are available to any New Yorker 18 and under, and no identification or registration is required. NYC Parks operates 53 outdoor pools throughout the five boroughs. Four pools will be closed this season due to active reconstruction projects: Lasker Pool in Central Park, Tony Dapolito Pool, Abraham Lincoln Pool, and Bronx River Playground Pool at Playground 174. This press release was produced by New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. The views expressed here are the author's own.