Summer is now in full-swing. Today the city opens its outdoor pools, including the Olympic sized Hamilton Fish pool on Pitt Street. Yesterday, we stopped by the recreation center to have an early look.
Recreation Director Carmen Torres, who has been with the center for about thirteen years, told us he fully expects huge crowds every day during the summer season, even on cloudy, rainy days like this one. “Everybody’s just waiting to jump into the pool,” he said.
Built in 1936 by Robert Moses, the city’s first parks commissioner, the pool was highly regarded for its design and technology. It had such a good reputation that even the Olympic swim team used it for practice sessions on their way to the 1952 games in Helsinki, Finland.
For safety precautions, extra staff, as well as police and paek security officers will be situated at the pool’s entrance to check bags. Visitors are required to bring their own locks and flip-flops. For other pool rules, visit the NYC parks website. Membership is not required to use the pool.
The outdoor pool season begins on June 27th and ends Labor Day, September 3rd. Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with cleaning hours from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Adult lap swim hours at 7-8:30 a.m. Monday-Friday.
