NEW YORK—Now that school is out and the heat has set in, we decided to check out Manhattan's public swimming pools. What else is there to do when it's 90 degrees in the city and the closest beach is an hour and a half away?
There are some incredible public pools in the city, and some are even free. However, you need to prepare a couple of things before heading down to your local swimming hole.
They're strict on the rules, and they won't let you in if you don't have a padlock for the lockers. You can't take your stuff into the pool area. No exceptions. Some pools don't allow strollers in at all, so check first.
Proper swimming attire is also required. Babies and toddlers need swimming diapers on.
General hours for the pools are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but call and check first.
Here are the great outdoor pools we found:
Uptown Manhattan
Highbridge Park, Amsterdam Avenue and W. 173rd Street
Here you'll find two outdoor pools—an Olympic-size pool and a large paddling pool for toddlers. Good if you have more than one child. Ph: 212-927-2400
Jackie Robinson Recreation Center, 85 Bradhurst Avenue at 146th Street
This outdoor swimming pool is huge, slightly heated, and free. It gets packed with school kids and teenagers in the afternoon (like the rest of them), but the pool is so big there's room for all. There's an incredible water park and playground at one end, with giant sprinklers for little kids. Note: It's closed 3–4 p.m. Ph: 212-234-9607
Riverbank State Park, Riverside Drive at 145th Street, on the Hudson River
This park has an indoor Olympic-size pool and a smaller outdoor pool. There's even a paddling pool with a fountain. Set on the Hudson River, it has a good view too. Prenatal Water Exercise classes are offered as well as classes for learning how to swim. The outdoor pool is set to open for July 4th. There's a small $1.00–$2.00 fee. Kids 4 years old and under are free. Ph: 212-694-3666
John Jay Pool and Recreation, 77th Street and Cherokee Place (east of York Ave.)
This is one of the best public pools in Manhattan. It's an outdoor pool with diving. There's a suggested annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens. A snack bar and playground are nearby. Ph: 212-794-6566
Lasker Skating Rink/Pool, in the middle of Central Park near 110th Street and Lenox Avenue
This is another free outdoor pool (and ice skating rink in the winter). This is one of the city's most popular pools and gets very crowded. Note: It closes between 2:45 and 4 p.m. Ph: 212-534-7639
Downtown Manhattan
Asser Levy Recreation Center, East 23rd Street and FDR Drive
The outdoor pool is free. There's a paddling pool area. The hours are Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ph: 212-447-2020
Dry Dock, E. 10th Street (between Avenues C and D)
Nice, clean outdoor public pool. There's a paddling pool area. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hamilton Fish Recreation Center, 128 Pitt Street between Stanton and Houston
There are two outdoor pools (one is for kiddies). The pools are very clean with attentive lifeguards. Free swimming lessons are offered in the summer. Call 718-699-4219 for more information.
Tompkins Square Mini Pool, 500 E. 9th Street
This is an outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep) and the cost is absolutely free. The small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids. A lifeguard is on duty, but kids must be at least 3'8" and 6 years old. Ph: 212-260-1316
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (formerly known as Carmine Street Rec Center), 1 Clarkson Street between 7th Avenue South and Hudson Street
The outdoor pool is absolutely free. On the really hot days this one can get really crowded. There's a diving board. Ph: 212-242-5228
Marcus Garvey, 124th Street and Fifth Avenue
Free pool, not Olympic size, but a pool is a pool. Ph: 212-410-2818
Sheltering Arms, W. 129th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
This facility has a 1'3"-deep paddling pool for kids, and a larger, 3'6"-deep pool for casual swimming. Huge renovations to the pools were just completed in 2001. Ph: 212-662-6191
Thomas Jefferson, E. 112th Street and First Avenue
Absolutely free public diving and swimming pool. Ph: 212-860-1372
Wagner Pool, E. 124th Street between First and Second Avenues
Free public pool, 3.6" deep. Ph: 212-534-4238
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