Top Public Pools Near Prospect Heights

This week is going to be hot. While Prospect Heights has no public pools of its own, there are several outdoor pools that are worth the trip. 

For all NYC Public Pools, the hours are 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m., daily with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. All pools are free.

1. "The Double D," is in the Thomas Greene Playground at Third Avenue and Nevins Street. The park has a 75' x 60' x 3' pool, plus a kiddie pool. (718) 625-3268. 

2. The Clermont Pool, P.S. 20/Parnham Playground, 225 Adelphi St. at Willoughby. The pool is smallish: 40' x 20' x 3', but it's also the closest. This pool is only for kids. (718) 625-6101.  

3. Commodore Barry Park Pool. This one is somewhat walkable – located at Commodore Barry Park between Flushing and Park avenues, and Navy and North Elliot Streets – and not a bad size: 75' x 60' x 3' plus a separate kiddie pool.  (718) 243-2593.

4. Kosciuszko Pool. On Marcy Avenue between DeKalb and Kosciuszko is HUGE, 230' x 100' x 4', and also has a kiddie pool. Take the B38 up Lafayette Avenue or the G train to the Myrtle - Willoughby stop. (718) 622-5271.

5. Sunset Park Pool. Located in Sunset Park on Seventh Avenue between 41st and 44th Streets, we include this pool because it is HUGE, olympic sized: 259' x 162' x 3.5', and an easy subway trip (though a good 10-minute walk when you arrive). (718) 965-6578. Hop the Brooklyn-bound R train to the 45th Street station or the D train (from the Atlantic-Pacific station) to 9th Avenue. 

6. The Red Hook Pool. This one is a major hike, especially with the Smith/9th Street station closed. But you can take the bus there (the B63 to the B61 see full directions here), and we're including it as an extra because at 330' x 130' x 4', it's absolutely enormous, and people love it. (718) 722-3211.

Have a pool to suggest? Let us know in the comments.

And don't forget there are also sprinklers in the parks as well as my favorite summer spot, Brighton Beach – just a 25 minute trip on the Q or B train.