Hundreds of Brooklynites escaped the hellish summer heat on June 27 at this season’s opening of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pop-Up Pool.
The 3.5-foot-deep, above-ground pool debuted last summer and was a splash with more than 40,000 water-seeking residents. It reopened on Pier 2 last Thursday, the same day classes ended at the city’s public schools.
“The opening of the pool was a great time,” said Beth Newborn, deputy director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. “While our swim sessions were quite full, we’ve got a great staff on hand to manage our lines and keep people happy.”
This year, pool-goers will be able to sip on artisanal lemonade from Lizzmonade, which sells the classic summer drink in a variety of flavors, from “Classic” to the “Hotsy Totsy Mango.”
In addition to the great view the Manhattan skyline, pool-goers will also be able to enjoy activities such as trivia and bocce ball, as well as fresh sangrias, local craft beers, and wine in the evening. Additionally, there is a sand-covered “beach” section available if patrons need to take a break from the splishing and the splashing.
The $700,000 project was created as part of a deal between state politicians and Mayor Bloomberg, which reduced high-rise luxury housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park while ensuring that city taxpayers would not have to fund the park’s $16 million annual maintenance cost. It will be around for three more summers after this year.
Clinton Hill resident Rebecca Caban came to the opening with her son, Jesse, 3, and daughter, Aya, 6, to cool down and have some fun. The trio enjoyed themselves and plan to come back again. Caban appreciates that the pool is more low-key than other locales.
“It’s really manageable with two kids,” she said. “At some of the bigger pools it’s a little more challenging.”
