Parents and Pols Want Pop-Up Pool to stay open at Brooklyn Bridge Park

By Linda DiProperzio July 5, 2016

The popular Pop-Up Pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park opened on Tuesday for its fifth and final season, but if some parents and politicians get their way, the pool will stay open beyond this summer, according to Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

The 30-by-50-foot pool—which cost $700,000 to construct—has been a big hit with visitors, who are both local residents and families who come across the borough to enjoy a free swim. The area around the pool includes a 2,500-square-foot sandy beach, a concession stand, showers and restrooms.

And while this summer is expected to be its last, a newly formed parent group and local officials are urging the park to keep the pool open while it studies the feasibility of installing a permanent pool.

“Our goal is to educate families about the pool’s scheduled closing and to mobilize families,” says Susanne Quint, a resident of DUMBO and the mother of two 9-year-old twins, who is organizing the group Love Our Pool, which aims to “make sure the park understands how appreciated and loved the pool is,” she said. “We don’t have lots of pools in Brooklyn. If you’re a parent in Brooklyn in the summer looking for a way to cool down and entertain kids, the pool is incredibly valued.”

Quint said the group has had about 40 families signed up so far, and has just created a Facebook page.

While park officials say they’re sympathetic to the parents’ wishes, the Pop-Up Pool was never intended to be permanent.

“We love the pop up pool too! However, per the 2011 MOU negotiated by Sen. Squadron, it was always planned and designed to be temporary, and for more parkland to be created at the site,” park spokesperson Belinda Cape told the Eagle.

She added, “Although we do not have funding at this time, we fully intend to pursue a full-size permanent pool at BBP. We look forward to working with our elected officials to secure the necessary funds and achieve this goal.”

But Senator Daniel Squadron—along with Councilmembers Brad Lander and Stephen Levin—recently met with park officials to discuss keeping the pool open, and this past January, they wrote a joint letter to park President Regina Myer expressing concern about the planned closing.

“The pool has been a popular attraction since opening in 2012. It offers free entry and affordable swim lessons, which are a valuable resource -- particularly for families who would not otherwise have access to this programming,” the officials wrote. “Closing the pool would be a serious loss for communities around the borough.”

For residents interested in joining Love Our Pool, check out the group’s Facebook page or send an email to [email protected].

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