Thursday was a big day eagerly awaited by kids and their parents, the last day of public schools in New York City, which meant that Friday was also a big day eagerly awaited by kids and their parents, the first day of outdoor public pools in New York City. Both are entirely funded by taxpayers and are free to all to attend.
We were there for the final swim for the final day at Lasker Pool at the northern edge of Central Park in September 2021, so we headed to its new replacement, Gottesman Pool (part of the new Davis Center).
We got there right before the gate opened at 11 on Friday and found a long line, but it went quickly and we were admitted at 11:15 and jumped in after our shower. Swimmer No. 1 had arrived at 10 and found a dozen people already waiting, but he was a regular who was wearing his swimsuit and just crammed his stuff into the small locker and was first in the water. The first of what will be millions over the coming years.
A rite of summer, and a right of New Yorkers, is back.
