Children Celebrate As New York City Pools Open For Season
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Get on your swim trunks, bikinis, and one-pieces. New York City's public pools are open for the season!
RELATED: CBSNewYork Guide To NYC Public Pools
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane At The Water's Edge
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With the blow of a whistle Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe kicked off the summer season for the city's 54 outdoor pools.
"Jump in a pool and get cool!" was the message from Benepe who said the pools were like an oasis for him while growing up in New York City.
Children can get free swimming lessons and free food at all city pools.
"We offer a full service," Benepe said. "Exercise, learn to swim and nutrition at all our pools."
The pools will be open between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., through Labor Day.
"As you look around you'll see things you never saw before at our pools like planters full of flowers, shade structures and colorful banners," Benepe said.
1010 WINS' Kathleen Maloney reports: Let The Fun Begin!
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Children were soaking it all up all Wednesday, lining up at Mullally Pool in the Bronx hours before the grand opening. Once they got the signal, the kids dove right in to enjoy the cool water.
An 8-year-old girl named Joy was living up to her name at the Lasker Pool in Central Park at the edge of Harlem taking a dip and looking forward to vacation.
"I like to catch a sun tan," one young child said.
"I like to dunk people," said another.
