20 More Things to Know about Swimming in Brooklyn's Public Outdoor Pools

The experience of swimming in a New York City public pool can come as a surprise for many people who haven't experienced it. They're large. While often they're crowded, sometimes they are not. Like public libraries, public pools are both very public, and provide a wonderful service.

No identification is required, or NYC residency to use the outdoor pools.

Pool hours are sometimes extended when there's a serious heat wave affecting New York City. Here are twenty things to know about Brooklyn's public pools.

1. Bring sunscreen; the decks are broad and flat; there’s not much shade especially in midday.
2. Don’t bring a lot of gear: travel light. Leave valuables elsewhere.
3. There are separate mens and women’s locker rooms. All are bare bones, and old, but clean. No hair dryers.
4. Bring your own flip-flops for the locker room.
5. The locker rooms are, largely, one huge room with an attendant or several (same gender). There is not a lot of privacy.
6. The pools are heavilyl chlorinated.
7. Entrance to the larger pools is staffed by Parks Department employees; they may ask to see your lock.
8. Most facilities have bike racks, at your own risk.
9. Parking in the areas nearby varies by neighborhood. There are no parking lots adjacent to, and associated with, these pools.
10. If someone is known to have urinated or defecated in the water, the pool will be immediately closed, sometimes for the day or several hours. This happens.
11. Camp groups often use these public pools.
12. Generally Brooklyn’s pools are safe, however there have occasionally been reports of gropings, etc. by teenagers, notably on crowded days in the larger pools. Use common sense.
13. Teenage kids are allowed to go to the pool on their own, but if they are under 16 and plan to go in deep water, they will need an adult for supervision.
14. These facilities are not a country club, they are public pools in Brooklyn. People who use them come from all walks of life.
15. There are no cafeterias on the premises, though some do have vending machines. Food is allowed only in certain areas in certain pools; check first.
16. Lap swimmers have special hours; check the NYC Parks Department Website.
17. There are no kiosks in the facilities where one can buy sunscreen, goggles, etc.
18. Swimming lessons are available at most intermediate and Olympic sized pools.
19. It may seem odd to first-timers, but people are not allowed in the swimming pool area wearing anything other than a bathing suit, and if you want to cover up from the sun, then you must only wear a white t-shirt, nothing else. This is a security measure.
20. The pools open and close like clockwork. Seasonally, they run from Memorial to Labor Day.
21. Swimming is allowed in light rain, but not if there’s a chance of thunderstorms.

Find out about all outdoor public pools in Brooklyn here.