Visited the website to read about the pool rules. It wasn't clear in explaining that you cannot…read moreenter the pool deck, and understand that all of the pool is the pool deck, without being in a swimsuit. The workers are clear when you get there. Bring a lock, wear a swimsuit including swim top for males wanting to wear any type of tshirt or a white plain tshirt. Clear directions when you get there but the website needs to be more clear. It reads like suggestions rather than mandates. Not against the rules because there needs to be order but just make sure that the website clarifies the rules as requirements. Pool is in great condition, very clean, respectful workers who were kind enough to let me give my kids their towels before I went back to my car to wait for them. I only got one pic. Lots of parking if you get there timely. In my waiting, they closed to capacity based on the number of lifeguard to swimmer ratio. Well run.

This update is about the pool. VH and I had the opportunity to go to the pool this Saturday. I've…read morebeen to a few of the outdoor pools around the city that are open in the summer, and this is the one I like the best. First of all, its size: 330' x 130' x 4', olympic-size pool, i.e. BIG. In fact, this is the biggest outdoor pool I had the opportunity to swim in in NYC. Because of its size (and maybe because this is Red Hook), it doesn't get too crowded. Second, the water: nice and clean, very clear. This pool is clean, a lot cleaner than, say, the John Jay pool in the UES. Third: if you are serious about lap swimming, about 1/4 of the pool is devoted solely to that. This means that, at times, it can get crowded, but the turnover is pretty quick. On a sunny Saturday late morning-early afternoon in August I was able to swim laps without any problem (in the end, only a handful of people were swimming nonstop). Personally I wish the space allocated to lap swimming were bigger, but I guess this is fair enough. There may be hours early in the morning and late in the evening when the pool is open just for lap swimming. Fourth: the changing room is not really a changing room, more like boards put in front of the lockers (which are all of the small type, by the way); and the restrooms remind me of something out of a soviet gulag... Last but not least: grab a delicious pupusa at one of the carts by the park (... and quickly recover all the calories you have just burned swimming).

This pool has opened w far less fanfare than the other public pools in BK. It's a bit of a walk to…read moreget to from the BK Bridge Park access point but that keeps attendance down! I came on a Saturday morning and it had a lot of young families and their even younger children - I was possibly the only single female there. Just a heads up.. The line to get into the pool was orderly, though I didn't go in. Something about all those babies in diapers put me off... but I did enjoy my time lounging on the chair, soaking up some sun, on the sandy 'beach'. This was much closer than going to Rockaway and mosquitoes? 0!

My wife visited the pool today with our children and loved the entire experience but was not very…read morehappy with policies of the pool. If it states you must wear a bathing suit then this must be enforced. When my wife questioned this rule she was told it was a skirt made for the pool - 'religious' purposes. That's BS. So either have rules or you don't.

Great rec center for the community. I joined this location so that I can utilize the pool and the…read morelocation closes to me pool is under renovation. Membership fee is very affordable and be paid annually or semi annually. Sign up is very easy. Staff is friendly. There are a full program of activities that you can find the schedule online. There are different classes and pool times for free swim. I am here mainly for the swim but I have taken yoga class here and enjoyed it. There is a workout room, cardio machines, a dance studio and a gym. There are also music classes. Many activities for children and adults. The locker room is okay; it's at the basic level of clean. No frills, just bring everything that you need. I do wish there were more lap swim hours but outside of that I do not have complaints on the facility.

Very friendly staff, however, due to no fault of their own possibly, the cardio equipment is about…read more95% inoperable. I have contacted 311 on numerous occasions, I just sent a letter to Darlene Mealy's office. I hope this is rectified.

Clean, consistent pool in the heart of bedstuy. Plenty of lounge space on the deck to get some sun…read morebut make sure to get there early to snag a spot. NYC pools open at 11 so if you're going on the weekend and you want a chair, try to get there before 12. Kind, reliable and efficient staff. Not sure what other NYC pools are like but I've never had a reason to try:) This pool is solid!

The pool is literally green and cloudy. The kids area pool seemed to be blue and clean but the big…read morepool is literally turning GREEN ! And they aren't saying anything but "if you would like to leave a complaint" knowing damn well that don't do anything but

This pool is pretty small -- only 30 x 50 feet, and 3-3'6" deep -- but fun. They only let a limited…read morenumber of folks in, so it's not too crowded. The restrooms have lockers; you need to bring your own locks. Lifeguards were very friendly. Downsides: shower ice cold. You may splashed by kids.

This place is a hidden gem in Brooklyn! Although I don't live in the area, I know a handful of…read morepeople that do. Came here recently with my boyfriend for about an hour. There's parking available upon arrival. There's seating alongside the body of water. There's various activities available to do here including walking, taking a seat to overlook the water or people-watch, picnic, BBQ or grill, fishing, and running or jogging. The area is definitely kept clean. There's plenty of trash cans available here as well. I'm looking forward to returning here for some more relaxation.

Very relaxing walking destination one half mile from my house. Lots of regular folk fishing,…read moresitting around, talking and just enjoying the day. Plenty of benches and shade. Nice place to hang out. Bathrooms available.

CIBBOWS is such a great find and such a supportive group. They worked with the city parks…read moredepartment to make it okay to swim in the ocean at Brighton Beach. (Coming from California, it seems unthinkable to me that the ocean wouldn't be open tot he public. There everything below the tide line is public and must have access without restrictions.) But the lifeguards were worried about people actually swimming the ocean. And they made the park comfortable that people can indeed swim. (That's the story that I've been told.) When you come to the beach, there is usually always a group of swimmers near "Grimaldo's Chair." Grimaldo was the lifeguard that helped work with the park department to make swimming okay. The first time I stumbled onto the beach, someone made sure that I put on a swim cap and googles. Someone offered me a snack coming out. Someone else gave me a tip for getting Glide to deal with the chaffing of the wetsuit. There is usually a variety of friendly people warming up with tea and chatting. Joining the club provides access to open water swim clinics and drill clinics. I've done the open water swim clinic twice. They expect you to already know how to swim and only need to learn about open water skills. I wish I had known that as a new member, you get a swim buoy, cap, and towel because I had already bought all of my gear. CIBBOS has a really cool logo actually. I cherish the stuff that I get from them. I felt a little uncertain about the need for an open water clinic. There is the ocean! Go! (Obviously, know not to fight rip tides.) However, I got a lot of value out of it, which is why I went a second time. The lecture includes all the expected topics like current and tides. There are some drills, e.g. alligator eyes for sighting. The most value that I got out of it was going in a group. Not only, do you get to make friends, but you also get used to swimming in a group. The instructor was really friendly, caring, and supportive. She also addressed all the individual needs of students. People come with a variety of backgrounds, e.g. fear challenges or being really strong in the pool but unfamiliar with the ocean. The races are highly recommendable. Apparently, it's a huge effort to put on a safe swim race. Someone told me that swim races are the most dangerous of races. They had boats and kayaks patrolling. There were swim angels to deal with less emergent issues. I felt super supported during the race. After hearing, the stories from swim angels in how they helped was very inspiring because they got so much joy out of helping people. Each sport has a certain culture around it. Some are more competitive and some are more about sharing the joy of pushing boundaries together. This one is a lot more of the latter.

As part of my triathlon training, I needed to add open water swimming into my regime in order to…read morebecome more confident in my swimming abilities outside of a pool. I searched online and found lots of sites catering to helping people swim, but some places had a cost to them. Thats when I found the Coney Island Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers or CIBBOWS for short. The swimmers meet on the beach every weekend at Grimaldi's chair. Its basically a lifeguard chair that looks exactly like all the others on the beach. To find the right one, find Volna Cafe on the boardwalk and basically walk straight towards the water and head towards the closest lifeguard chair. There you will see a bunch of people hanging around, putting on wetsuits or just chatting it up. A very friendly group where you can tag along for a swim. They have different distances, so swim at your own risk. If you are a beginner, they have people there to help out. To get better perks, you can join the group as a "member" and enjoy discounted swim races and group parties with fellow swim members. I'm this close to joining as I'm now a lover of swimming. If you have questions, email them as they're super friendly to answer any questions you may have.

New facility , opened just a few months ago. Much need in this community…read more We like exploring all of the rec centers out membership covers and especially the ones with swimming pools. Fully staffed on a Sunday and the workers were very welcoming and helpful. The pool here is spectacular. (Photos while patrons are in the pool ate strictly prohibited) so I was able to grab one quick pic before swimming classes started. Lockers are the more modern type with codes so you don't have e to bting a lock like some older rec centers require. Family bathroom/change rooms so parents with little ones can assist is a plus. Gym equipment was plentiful at the time we visited. I like the indoor walking track. Full calendar of events from dance, workouts, swim lessons etc . You're bound to find something to interest you. Media rooms and after school activities for kids. Indoor basketball court. Facility indoors and out very clean. It's new and I hope they upkeep this building. There's no car parking lot so street parking is the only option. Bike parking available Trains and buses are very close by so that's a plus. My favorite thing about NYC Park rec centers is membership cost- Free for kids and young adults up to 25 years and the very affordable rates for adults and seniors. Membership includes all centers in NYC .

Meet Brooklyn's newest rec center. It's bright, shiny, has several floors, a pool, gym, basketball…read morecourt, workout classes, media classes. It is truly a place for the community, adults and kids. Online you can find the schedule that is regularly updated weekly. Membership is $75 for 6 months and $150 for the year. This will also allow you to use the other rec centers around the city as well.