We testify in support of water safety!

This Friday we joined NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan and a bunch of our swim friends on the steps of City Hall to support a five-point plan to prevent drownings and expand swim education in NYC. Yes to expanded hours and a longer season for pools and beaches, creating an atlas of all aquatics programs, a junior lifeguard corps, a free swim for all, and a hell yes to building more pools! 

The five-point plan is something we can all get behind:

1. Expand Hours & Season for Pools & Beaches (yes!)
2. An Atlas of all Aquatic Programs for NYC (yes!)
3. Establish a Junior Lifeguard Corps (yes!)
4. Free swim lessons for all (please!)
5. Build More Pools! (on it!)

The rally was attended by our friends at Rising Tide Effect, Swim Strong Foundation, YMCA of Greater New York, Asphalt Green, Laru Beya Collective, Community Wellness NYC, and other swim supporters! 

Following the rally was a public hearing at the City Council where we testified to the challenges that exist for swim providers like us in NYC.  Did you know that only 53 public pools serve all New Yorkers? That puts us dead last in the United States! 

“History has proven that investment in public swimming pools provides incredible economic, social, and public health benefits, including a reduction in drowning fatalities, and even crime reduction,” said our Program Director Nora Cronin at the hearing. 

Nora testified to these and other facts that make the case for this five-point plan to ensure all New Yorkers can safely enjoy the 520 miles of waterfront surrounding them. 

We love how + POOL is helping drive so much policy in NY around water safety. It’s always been about more than just building a pool.  + POOL is a tool for raising awareness of the drowning epidemic affecting our community and promoting the opportunities that municipal pools offer communities.  

More Information

Read the testimony.

Read the press release