Brooklyn’s Public Outdoor Swimming Pools Are Open For The Season

As the mercury rises, Brooklynites can cool off at one of the borough’s 15 free outdoor public pools. NYC pools opened on Wednesday, June 27—the first day of summer vacation—and will remain open until Sunday, September 9, so you won’t have to travel far to make a splash.

Pool hours are 11am to 7pm, seven days a week. Note: pools close for an hour between 3pm and 4pm for cleaning.

NYC Parks offers free swim programs such as Adaptive Acquatics (aquatic exercise therapy for people with disabilities); Adult Water Exercise (water aerobics); Lap Swim (free lap swim hours allow adults to swim laps without interruption); Senior Splash and Senior Water Aerobics (swim instruction and water exercise for seniors); and Youth Swim Team (kids ages six through 18 are taught swimming skills and competitive swimming techniques).

Click here for information on NYC Parks free Learn To Swim classes for toddlers (1 1/2- to 5- years-old), children (6- to 17-years-old), and adults (18-years-old and up).

Check out the pool rules before you dive in. We’ve narrowed down the list below but you can see the complete list of rules here. Be sure to follow them because pool staff will check before letting you in for a dip.

Clothing: Bathing suits required! Pool staff may check men’s shorts for a lining if it isn’t clear if they are wearing a proper bathing suit. Hats may be worn and plain white t-shirts may be worn over bathing suits on the deck for sun protection. Sneakers are not permitted, but rubber flip flops or water shoes are. Colorful shirts are not allowed on the deck.

Children under 16 must be at least eight inches taller than the maximum water depth to enter the pool without adult supervision.

Bring your own padlock! Keep your belongings safe in a locker, but remember to bring your own lock. The city takes no responsibility for lost items.

Not allowed in the pool or on the deck: radios, cameras, cell phones, or other electronics; swimming aids, water toys, or flotation devices; beach chairs, baby strollers, bags, blankets, or beach balls; smoking, pets, glass bottles.

You can’t get in a pool if you have: skin lesions, sores, or inflamed eyes, mouth, nose, or ear discharge, a communicable disease, or any type of bandage on your body.

You must take a shower in the locker room before entering the pool.

No booze allowed! Eating or drinking is permitted only in designated areas.

Reading materials: Books and bound periodicals are permitted on the pool deck. Newspapers are not.

And now for the pools! Hours are 11am to 7pm daily (with a one hour break from 3pm and 4pm for cleaning), except for the Brooklyn Bridge Park pop-up pool, which is open 10am to 6pm. When it’s super hot outside, pool hours may be extended until 8pm—check the NYC Parks Twitter account for updates.

Betsy Head Park Pool
Boyland, Livonia & Dumont Avenues, Brownsville, 718-257-1635
This Olympic-sized pool has learn-to-swim programs, a swim team, and exercise programs for seniors. This pool was built as a WPA project.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool
Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park, 718-222-9939
This mini-sized pool (30 feet by 50 feet and max three feet deep) allows swimmers in 45-minute sessions from 10am to 6pm, with wristbands available 15 minutes before each session. They’ve got different rules from the other city pools, so check those out here.

Bushwick Playground Pool
Humboldt Street, Flushing & Bushwick Avenues, Bushwick, 718-452-2116
An intermediate-sized pool and a wading pool. They’ve got learn-to-swim programs and a swim team. Feels a little small, and because of that, can feel crowded.

Commodore Barry Park Pool
Flushing & Park Avenues, Navy & North Elliot Streets, Fort Greene, 718-243-2593
They’ve got an intermediate-sized pool and a wading pool, plus learn-to-swim programs and a swim team. Reviews say it’s not too crowded because of its out-of-the-way location.

David Fox/PS 251 Mini
E 54th Street & Avenue H, Flatlands, 718-531-2437
This mini-sized pool measures 40 feet x 20 feet x 3 feet deep.

Douglas & Degraw Pool
Third Avenue & Nevins Street, Gowanus, 718-625-3268
AKA Double D, there’s an intermediate-sized pool and a wading pool, plus learn-to-swim programs and a swim team.

Glenwood Houses Pool
Farragut Road & Ralph Avenue, Flatlands, 718-531–2480
This mini-sized pool measures 40 feet x 20 feet x 3 feet deep.

Howard Pool
Glenmore & Mother Gaston Boulevard, Brownsville, 718-385–1023
The Brownsville pool has an intermediate-sized pool and a wading pool, and offers learn-to-swim programs and exercise programs for seniors.

JHS 57/HS 26 Pool
117 Stuyvesant Avenue, Bed-Stuy, 718-452-0519
With the large Kosciuszko pool just about a mile away, this mini-sized pool might be a good option if you’re looking for a smaller environment for yourself or the kids. (Note: The NYC Parks website states, “This pool is currently closed.” Call before you go.)

Kosciuszko Pool
Marcy Avenue between DeKalb Avenue & Kosciuszko Street, Bed-Stuy, 718-622-5271
A popular destination on hot days, there can be a line to get into this spot with an Olympic-sized pool and a wading pool. It’s got learn-to-swim programs, a swim team, and exercise programs for seniors.

Lindower Park Pool
E. 60th Street, Mill Road & Strickland Avenue, Mill Basin, 718-531-4852
It’s a mini-sized pool, and much like the other smaller options in Brooklyn, there’s not too much going on, though if you get rained out, there is a bowling alley nearby.

McCarren Park Pool
776 Lorimer St, Greenpoint, 311
The rehabilitated Olympic-size pool offers the adult lap swim program, learn-to-swim classes for kids and adults, water aerobics for adults, a swim team, and exercise programs for seniors. Additionally, it’s one of only two Brooklyn pools with an Adapted Aquatics Program for people with physical ailments.

PS 20 Playground Pool
Clermont Avenue between Willoughby & Dekalb Avenues, Fort Greene, 718-625-6101
The last of the mini-sized pools on the list also measures 40 feet x 20 feet x 3 feet deep.

Red Hook Pool
Bay & Henry Streets, Red Hook, 718-722-3211
It may be the least crowded of the Olympic-sized pools in Brooklyn, but it still attracts a lot of kids on a hot day.

Sunset Park Pool
Seventh Avenue between 41st & 44th Streets, Sunset Park, 718-972-2180
The park with the best views in the city also has an Olympic-sized pool, all the swim programs, plus an Adapted Aquatics program.