NYC’s Outdoor Pools Are Open for Summer 2026 — And They’re Turning 90!

Pack your swimsuit, grab your towel, and get ready to make a splash! New York City’s outdoor public pools have officially opened for the summer season, and this year is extra special — it’s the 90th anniversary of 11 iconic Olympic-sized pools that have been cooling off New Yorkers since 1936.

What’s Happening This Summer?

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura kicked off the season by jumping right into the Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem alongside local families. It was a celebration of both the new pool season and a remarkable 90-year legacy.

Fun Fact: More than a million New Yorkers enjoy the city’s outdoor pools every single summer!

What Is the WPA, and Why Does It Matter?

You might be wondering: what exactly is the "WPA"?

Great question! The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a big government program started during the Great Depression in the 1930s. At that time, lots of people were out of work and struggling. The WPA created jobs by funding huge public projects — things like parks, bridges, schools, and yes, swimming pools!

In 1936, the WPA helped New York City open 11 massive Olympic-sized outdoor pools all within weeks of each other. At the time, these were some of the most advanced pools in the entire country, with cutting-edge (for the 1930s!) water filtration and cleaning systems.

Think of it this way: Imagine the government deciding to build the coolest playgrounds and pools in every neighborhood — for free — so that everyone, no matter how much money they had, could have a safe, fun place to go in the summer. That’s exactly what the WPA did!

Mayor Mamdani put it perfectly: "That legacy reminds us what government can achieve when it invests in great public works projects."

What’s New and Expanded This Summer?

NYC Parks isn’t just maintaining these pools — they’re making swim programs bigger and better than ever. Here’s what’s new:

Expanded Adult Lap Swim Program

• The program has doubled — going from 5 pools to 10 pools (two in each borough!)
• Lap swim is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
• This gives fitness lovers dedicated time in the water before general swimming hours begin

Here are the participating pools by borough:

Senior Splash Program (Returning!)

• Free water aerobics classes for New Yorkers aged 62 and older
• Classes run three days a week at five pools (one per borough):
  • Astoria Pool (Queens)
  • Lyons Pool (Staten Island)
  • Sunset Park Pool (Brooklyn)
  • Thomas Jefferson Pool (Manhattan)
  • Van Cortlandt Pool (The Bronx)

Free "Learn to Swim" Classes (Big Expansion!)

• The program has grown from 10 to 18 outdoor pools
• Over 16,000 class slots are available
• Completely free swim lessons for kids ages 18 months to 17 years
• This saves families hundreds of dollars and helps kids build essential water safety skills
• Registration is open now!

Important: These free classes fill up fast, so if you’re interested, don’t wait! Sign up as soon as possible through the NYC Parks Learn to Swim page.

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting NYC Outdoor Pools

Here’s a handy guide to make your pool day smooth and fun:

Season Dates

• Main pools: Open daily from June 27 through September 13, 2026
• Mini pools: Close a little earlier on September 7

Hours

• 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily
• Closed for cleaning from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (so plan your big splash around that break!)

Cost

• Completely FREE! No admission fee, no membership required. Everyone is welcome.

What to Bring

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• A sturdy lock (for the locker room to keep your belongings safe)

Free Sunscreen

• Free sunscreen is available at every outdoor pool. No need to buy your own!

Free Lunches for Kids

• NYC Parks is partnering with the Department of Education to provide free lunches at pool sites across the city
• Available to all New Yorkers 18 and younger
• No ID or registration required — just show up!

Find a Pool Near You

• Visit the NYC Parks Outdoor Pools page to find your nearest pool
• Check out the Cool It! NYC map to find not just pools, but also spray showers, drinking fountains, and other cooling spots across all five boroughs

The 11 Historic WPA-Era Pools: A Legacy 90 Years in the Making

This summer, NYC Parks is celebrating the 90th anniversary of these incredible pools. To mark the occasion, they’re giving out commemorative towels and collectible buttons that feature the unique design of each pool. The first 200 guests on each pool’s anniversary date will receive these special keepsakes!

Here’s the full list of all 11 WPA-era pools and what makes each one special:

1. Astoria Pool, Queens — Opened July 2, 1936. Still New York City’s largest pool and hosted the U.S. Olympic Swim and Diving Team Trials in both 1936 and 1964.

2. Betsy Head Pool, Brooklyn — Opened August 6, 1936. It replaced an older pool from 1915. Before 1936, it was one of only two outdoor pools in the entire Parks system!

3. Crotona Pool, The Bronx — Opened July 24, 1936. Its bathhouse features beautiful WPA-era animal sculptures created by artist Frederick George Richard Roth that you can still see today.

4. Hamilton Fish Pool, Manhattan — Opened June 24, 1936. The U.S. Olympic Team trained here before the 1952 Helsinki Games.

5. Highbridge Pool, Manhattan — Opened July 14, 1936. Located right next to the historic High Bridge Water Tower on the site of the former High Bridge Reservoir.

6. Jackie Robinson Pool, Manhattan — Opened August 8, 1936 (originally called "Colonial Park Pool"). The dedication ceremony featured the legendary Bill "Bojangles" Robinson performing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in front of a crowd of 25,000 people.

7. Joseph H. Lyons Pool, Staten Island — Opened July 7, 1936. At the dedication, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia called it "a monument to the progressive government which would not and could not see unemployed men on the breadline."

8. McCarren Pool, Brooklyn — Opened July 31, 1936. Designed to hold an incredible 6,800 bathers at once, and its bathhouse is still one of the largest in the Parks system.

9. Red Hook Pool, Brooklyn — Opened August 17, 1936, before a massive crowd of 40,000 people. The New York Times called it "Red Hook’s event of the year."

10. Sunset Park Pool, Brooklyn — Opened July 20, 1936. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia himself dramatically switched on the pool’s underwater lighting system at the opening.

11. Thomas Jefferson Pool, Manhattan — Opened June 27, 1936, before approximately 10,000 people who gathered to celebrate what was described as "the last word in engineering, hygiene and construction."

Why This Matters: These pools weren’t just places to swim — they were a bold statement that every New Yorker, regardless of income, deserved access to world-class recreation. Ninety years later, they’re still serving that mission.

Key Dates at a Glance

Summary

• NYC’s outdoor pools are open for summer 2026 from June 27 through September 13 — and they’re completely free!
• This summer marks the 90th anniversary of the city’s 11 WPA-era Olympic-sized pools, built in 1936 as part of one of the largest public works projects in city history.
• Swim programs have been significantly expanded: adult lap swim is now at 10 pools, Senior Splash returns for seniors 62+, and free "Learn to Swim" classes have grown to 18 pools with over 16,000 slots for kids.
• Commemorative towels and collectible buttons will be given to the first 200 guests on each WPA pool’s anniversary date.
• Free lunches are available at pool sites for all New Yorkers 18 and under — no questions asked.
• Free sunscreen is provided at every outdoor pool.
• Registration for free swim lessons is open now — sign up before spots fill up!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it really free to swim at NYC outdoor pools?

Yes! There is absolutely no admission fee. NYC outdoor pools are free and open to everyone. You don’t need a membership, a reservation, or any kind of ticket. Just show up with your swimsuit, towel, and a lock!

2. How do I sign my child up for free swim lessons?

Registration is open now through the NYC Parks Learn to Swim page. The program is for kids ages 18 months to 17 years, and there are over 16,000 class slots available at 18 pools across the city. Spots fill up quickly, so it’s best to register as early as possible.

3. What should I bring to the pool?

Bring three essentials: a swimsuit, a towel, and a sturdy lock for the locker room. Everything else is provided — including free sunscreen at every pool. If you’re 18 or under, you can also grab a free lunch at pool sites with no ID or signup required.

4. What are the pool hours, and when are they closed?

Pools are open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but they close for cleaning from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The main season runs from June 27 through September 13 (mini pools close September 7).

5. What’s special about the WPA-era pools?

The 11 WPA-era pools were built in 1936 as part of a massive federal jobs program during the Great Depression. They were among the most advanced public pools in the country at the time and represent a historic investment in making world-class recreation accessible to all New Yorkers for free. They’re still going strong 90 years later, serving over a million people every summer!