Despite a citywide boom of beachgoers during an unusually cool summer, the Parks
Department is claiming 2014 as another safe and successful beach and pool season,
highlighted by the fact that not a single incident during regular operating hours at pools
or public beaches.
The department operates and maintains 14 miles of beaches and 55 outdoor pools,
open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Parks also operates 12 indoor
pools that are open year-round. Park pools saw steady attendance and drew about 1.6
million visitors for the year.
Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver thanked employees for their dedication and
commitment to maintaining and improving the city’s parks. “I would like to thank all
of the Parks employees…especially our lifeguards,” said the commissioner. Adding
further praise upon the lifeguard squad was District Council 37 Local 508 lifeguard union
President Peter Stein, who said, “Millions of New Yorkers and out-of-towners were able
to enjoy New York City’s public beaches and pools during operating hours this summer
without any drownings or other tragic incidents. They [lifeguards] truly deserve our gratitude and praise.”
There are several competitive events associated with the pools, including the Citywide
Swim Team Championship at Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side of Manhattan,
where swimmers from 36 NYC Parks pools all over the city competed in events including
butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle as well as a freestyle relay. The team
comprised of Queens pools swimmers took second place in the overall championship.
In addition to the pool championship, lap swimmers had their day when they participated
in the 32nd and Night Owl lap swim program this season. Swimmers who logged a total of at least 25
miles – comparable to one lap around the island of Manhattan – received Parks’ “25 Mile
t-shirt” annual Lap Swim Awards. A total of 10,455 people signed up for the Early Bird
Membership to recreation centers with these indoor pools is free for anyone under age
18, $25 per year for young adults (18-24) and seniors (62+), and $150 per year for
everyone else.
NYC Parks also runs free “Learn to Swim” classes offered year-round at pools in all five
boroughs. More than 1,000 adults, 18,000 children and nearly 7,000 tots participated
this summer alone. For more information on the ongoing program at indoor pools and
recreation center membership, or to find an indoor pool and recreation center near you,
visit nyc.gov/parks.
BEACH TOTAL VISITORS PERCENT INCREASE
Brooklyn Beaches (incl. Coney Island) 11,453,890 13
Queens’ Rockaway Beach 4,166,455 25
Bronx’s Orchard Beach 1,751,145 90
Staten Island beaches 466,132 140
BY THE FORUM STAFF
