Astoria Pool (NYC Parks)
April 16, 2020 By Christian Murray
New York City’s public pools will be be shut this summer.
Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement at a press briefing this morning when he also warned that beaches may close too.
The city operates more than 50 outdoor pools, including seven in Queens. The mayor said the pools need to remain closed to curb the transmission of the coronavirus. He said that the city will continue to stop large gatherings and ensure people are following social distancing guidelines.
The pools are typically open from the end of June—after public school closes for the year—through to Labor Day.
The pool closures are expected to save the city $12 million.
The city is making big cuts to the budget, as tax revenue has plummeted.
Council Member Costa Constantinides, whose district includes the public pool at Astoria Park, said the mayor made the right decision.
“Mayor de Blasio’s decision to close our public pools was no doubt a difficult but necessary decision to flatten the curve,” Constantinides said. “Challenging times require tough decisions.”
Constantinides, however, notes that the closure of the pools will see the loss of seasonal jobs, often taken by teenagers. He is calling on the mayor to find other ways to keep younger residents employed and engaged.
“The city must come up with a plan to provide our youngest New Yorkers with quality programming that keeps them safe, engaged and healthy,” Constantinides said. “I am ready to work with the administration to find a constructive solution to this.”
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10 Comments
This isnt 1965. Kids dont belong in the street and fire hydrants should be used to fight fires and saving lives. Also conserve water
Who cares. You cant do without a pool or a beach for one summer? Its 3 months. Wtf? Go next year. Its one lousy summer. What is wrong with people? Its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
How are kids going to keep six feet apart in the spray of an open hydrant? I didn’t grow up with open hydrants, and still think it’s a waste of water.
Johnny -As a dem I can honestly say I know you’re not a dem.
what about opening the hydrants so kids can play in the street?
vision zero is out the window now
I used to go to Astoria Pool backs in the 60’s . I remember how gross it used to be .
I would never ever go to a public pool I dont care how much chorline they use . I rather use my bathtub to cool off . With this virus I would not go near it. Bottom line stay home & turn the hydrant .
NYC has many hot days during the summer. The city needs a better program in place to offer free air conditioning units to the most vulnerable and the poor. With shelter in place and knowing how hot it gets in the summer i tried to prepare and purchase one online for my mother in law that we left back in Sunnyside so she in not around my children in LI but the delivery date says Sept. of 2020. I hope she can apply for a free one from the city which includes installation.
Keep the park and pool bathrooms open and stock them with soap and toilet paper. Many people are having a hard time buying those products and the city should have a place for us to relieve ourselves and practice good hygiene. Portable showers with shampoo, soap and paper towels would be a life safer. Hopefully AOC is reading this.
UH OH looting will be the summertime sport in the city
Di Blasio and Cuomo are making no effort to get the City or State back to the new normal, As a Dem i am disappointed in there responses today.