NEW YORK — New York City's free outdoor pools opened for the season on Thursday, one day after public schools let out for the summer.
New Yorkers can beat the heat in one of the Parks Department's 34 large outdoor pools and 19 outdoor mini pools scattered throughout all five boroughs. The outdoor pools will remain open until Labor Day.
The city also has 12 indoor public pools, which are open year-round.
The city's pools had faced steep budget cuts this year, but a $32 million restoration to the parks and pools budget this week cleared the way for all of the pools to open on schedule Thursday.
Pools are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but they are closed for cleaning from 3 to 4 p.m. Some pools also offer early-morning and late-night lap swimming sessions. All swimmers must wear a bathing suit and should bring a combination lock to keep their belongings safe.
