NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers can officially cool off starting Saturday as the city's 53 free outdoor pools open for the 2026 summer season.
Outdoor pools will welcome swimmers beginning June 27 and remain open daily through Sept. 13, according to NYC Parks. Mini pools will close a week earlier, on Sept. 7.
Pools are open every day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a break in between.
This year's opening also marks the 90th anniversary of the city's iconic Works Progress Administration-era pool system. Eleven Olympic-sized public pools, including Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem, opened within weeks of one another in 1936 as part of a sweeping New Deal investment in public recreation.
Visitors only need a swimsuit, towel and a sturdy lock for the locker rooms.
NYC Parks also provides free sunscreen at every outdoor pool and, in partnership with NYC Public Schools, offers free lunches at pool sites for anyone 18 and younger throughout the summer. The city is also offering free swim classes throughout the summer.
The city's outdoor pool season runs through Sunday, Sept. 13.
For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
New York City, NY Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.