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Read the press release here.

Visitors Pop In to Brooklyn's New Pop-Up Pool on Opening Day

By Janet Upadhye | July 6, 2012 12:17pm
The Pop-Up pool hosted its first swimmers Friday morning.
The Pop-Up pool hosted its first swimmers Friday morning.
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Janet Upadhye/DNAinfo

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Friday morning at 10 a.m. the metaphorical ribbon was cut on Brooklyn Bridge Park's new Pop-Up pool. Near Pier 2 across the walkway from the East River, this five-year temporary pool was envisioned and carried out in less than a year.

"It actually took less than four months to construct," said Leigh Trucks, Project Manager. "We used mostly prefab materials and built on a old Port Authority site."

And locals were eagerly awaiting its arrival, finding out only a few days before that Friday was the day.

"I checked the website several times," said Sandy Serrano whho was in the first group to jump in the pool with her 11-year-old daughter Hannah. "We were here ready to swim this morning." Serrano added that the water felt great.

Brightly colored picnic tables available to sit and eat hot dogs and hamburgers sold at the Beach Shack.
Brightly colored picnic tables available to sit and eat hot dogs and hamburgers sold at the Beach Shack.
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Janet Upadhye/DNAinfo

Rita Modica, who lives across the Brooklyn Queens Expressway from the park, didn't know the pool was open until she looked out her window. "I saw a line and ran right down," she said. "I've been excited about this."

The pool is 30-by-50 feet and three and a half feet deep and will be open during the summers 60 people at a time. There is also a sandy beach complete with picnic tables and umbrellas and the Brooklyn Beach Shack which serves hamburgers and hot dogs and one day might serve wine and beer.

"This new pop-up pool provides a great new venue for Brooklyn residents to cool off during these hot summer days," said outgoing Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe in a press release. "We invite visitors to take advantage of the pool's beautiful, sandy beach to rest, relax and enjoy the splendid views of Lower Manhattan."