Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool

City-Kid Review:

It’s great, but it’s not a pop-up pool.
What’s a pop-up pool?
Well, you have a blank space and then a pool pops up.
I see. So, even though it wasn’t that, did you like it?
Yes. A lot.

This pool is fun and the view is great. It is part of the ever-growing wonderfulness of Brooklyn Bridge Park. A born-and-bred Brooklynite told me folks had to fight to bring back the pop-up-pool this year and I am very grateful they did.

It is a unique experience to swim in this lovely pool with the splendid views of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. There is a sandy area directly adjacent to the pool and abutted by a lemonade stand, all dotted about with cheerfully bright blue or yellow chairs and umbrellas. It is a great way to escape from New York while feeling firmly in New York. In other words, uniquely New York.

The pool is on the smaller side compared to other city pools, but they only allow 60 swimmers in for each 45 minute session, so it doesn’t feel too crowded. Between each session they test the pool water to check the chemical balance. It is surrounded by brightly painted containers, including the changing room and bathrooms. There are two refreshingly bracing showers and you must shower prior to swimming.

Need to Knows:

Location: The pool is in Brooklyn Bridge Park, just north of Pier 2. Here is a map.

Cost: Free

As with any other NYC pool, there are all sorts of general rules for this pool. They are listed here, but this pool seems a little more relaxed than most others. For example, I did see a small child with a floaty in the pool which is not allowed in other pools. This may have been a one-off or the fact that it had just opened. If you go and have the same experience, please do post below to inform other City Kid readers. I recommend following the rules so you are don’t risk being denied entrance because of them.

This pool has timed entrances. You need to stand in line for the time they give out the wrist bands and once you have your wrist band you can enter the pool at your allotted time. They are pretty strict about time, making us wait until the moment the rangers’ clock clicked to the minute before letting us in. I have posted the times below.

You can enter and use the changing rooms to get ready prior to your swim time and you are free to come and go into that area. City Kid ran back and forth to cool down in the showers. You must shower prior to entering the pool.

SWIM SESSIONS: The pool capacity is 60. Wristbands for each session are distributed first-come, first-served.
10:00 am –10:45 am wristbands distributed at 10:00 am
11:00 am – 11:45 am wristbands distributed at 10:30 am
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm wristbands distributed at 11:30 am
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm wristbands distributed at 12:30 pm
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm wristbands distributed at 1:30 pm
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm wristbands distributed at 2:30 pm
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm wristbands distributed at 3:30 pm
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm wristbands distributed at 4:30 pm

Top-Tip

I suggest you bring a parasol or umbrella, or some sort of shady covering as there is no shade while you stand in line.

Here is what I saw folks-in-the-know do: come early and nab a couple of beach chairs under an umbrella. Once settled, have one of your group stand in the line for the wristband. (At the time they hand them out, all of your party has to be there to receive a wristband) Enjoy your swim. Once your session is over, hang out in the beach area under your umbrella, maybe grab lunch at the ‘Lizzmonade’ stand as I saw folks do. Then, later, stand in line again to cool off. I was quite impressed.

You can probably bring your own umbrella and chairs if you would like to make a day of it. If you do, let us know how it goes by posting in the comments below.

Do you have a favorite New York City pool? Please tell us all about it in the comments section.

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