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The Floating Pool Lady at Brooklyn Bridge Park Beach BBPB *

(Review by Dr. Ted Rothstein)

Sunday: July 15, 2007:

It took me 15  minutes to walk from my house to the new outdoor swimming pool the Floating Pool Lady. This new facility is a gem; best of all it's free and open to the public until Labor Day. After that it may open in the Summer of '08 in the South Bronx.

You get on line 30 minutes before the session starts to  receive one of the 175 color-coded swim-session wrist bracelets they give out SIX times* a day on the weekends and  FOUR** times  a day on the weekdays. The "check-in" tent is at the start of the wooden gangway leading up to the pool. (Get there al least 30 minutes before the session.

What's more there is a simulated beach for 75 umbrellas with neatly arranged white PVS, one-foot high umbrella holders neatly peppering the space afforded by the simulated beach. This beach is about the size of one-third of a football field.

One-hundred feet West of the beach. There is another neatly-arranged beach/sports area about the size of a football field  surrounded by 14 newly made wooden picnic tables.

The playground/sports area boasts two volley ball courts and "Beach-Soccer field") which harbingers the coming of the Beach Soccer and Volleyball tournaments*** which you can now sign up for.

The amenities provided included: showering before and or after your swim, bathrooms modestly divided into Men and Woman's  parts.  You will find on the pool deck a number of small lockers to protect you/your clothes and small importants. I didn't have a lock and the lockers aren't numbered.

At the beach you can "eat" ($3.00 for a hotdog), rent a beach chair ($7.00) as well as have an umbrella free. I noticed that this facility gave me the feeling that security concerns were being addressed with vigor, and that the pool and surrounding beach areas were being monitored for potential problems such as the ones overheated  beach crowds experience at public beaches.
I noticed at least 15 staff wearing their signature blue-jean overalls and hats.

Did I mention the lovely lady wearing the uniform of an high-level park guard at the very entrance.

The best way to get their is by taking the "Pool-shuttle" bus which you can catch on Joralemon St /corner of Court St. (North-east corner.) I Think its free, especially if you came by subway  2,3,4, and 5  and took a transfer coupon, when you exit at "Borough Hall." However, if you can just take a walk West on Joralamen St. and when you get to the end of Joralemon St. (4 blocks) make a right on to Columbia Street and follow all the crowed.

The pool itself was sparkling clean and the water perfectly clear; the temperature of the water was perfect for me.

Two lifeguards watched intently while I swam there;  The pool is 75' long with 2 lanes cordoned off for pool-length swimmers, I gamboled like  a young porpoise among the bathers many of whom were playing with their children of all ages.

Neighboring riverains have mixed emotions about the new BBPB and the implications of the new businesses and housing envisioned which will follow. Ground breaking is planned for this spring.

Good to know: kids under 15 accompanied by an adult.
                     proper foot ware at all times.
                     proper swimwear to enter the pool.
                     no glass, alcohols or pet allowed.
                     small lockers are available on the floating pool.
                     all facilities are handicapped accessible.
                     parking costs: $20. (no refunds)
                     the BBP Beach is open 9-9.
                     the pool is open  11-7.
                     The last pubic swim session end at 6:45.
                     chairs are umbrellas are available for rent.
                     There's a shuttle to the bus.

                    Take the "Floating Pool Shuttle" @ NE cor. Joralemon and Court just opposite the 4,5 subway stop at Borough hall.

* WEEKEND HOURS
9:00 - 10:30
11:00 - 12:30
12:30 - 1:30
2:00 - 3:00
3:30 - 4:30
5:00 to 6:45

** WEEKDAY HOURS
11:00 - 12:30
1:00 - 2:30
3:00 -4:30
5:00 - 6:45

See also: http://www.Brooklynbridgepark.org or call 718 222 9742  or 311 (City information)

*** sigh up for Tournament metrosoccer.com

July 15, 2007

Dr. Ted Rothstein

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