Battery Park Pool
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Battery Park Pool offers a very clean swimming experience with cleaner water and bathrooms compared to other city pools. It features dedicated 'family time' slots which tend to be less crowded, and is reportedly fully staffed with an improved, more consistent schedule recently. Swimming lessons are also available.
Key Highlights
- ✓Very clean pool facilities, including water and bathrooms, which are noted to be cleaner than other city pools.
- ✓Dedicated 'family time' between 5 PM and 7 PM is less crowded, offering a more relaxed experience.
- ✓Recent significant improvements in staffing levels and schedule consistency, with fewer unexpected closures (contrary to past experiences).
- ✓Lifeguards are described as 'sweet and on point' by some recent visitors, indicating attentive supervision.
- ✓Swimming lessons are offered, starting around July 9th.
Standout Features
- ⭐High standard of cleanliness for both the pool water and changing facilities/bathrooms.
- ⭐Existence of 'family time' during 5-7 PM for a less crowded swim.
- ⭐Recent improvements in reliable scheduling and full staffing, making visits more predictable.
- ⭐Availability of swimming lessons for children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Verify current operating hours before traveling, especially if coming from a distance, as past inconsistencies have been reported (though recent reviews indicate improvement).
- →Consider visiting during 'family time' (5-7 PM) to experience fewer crowds.
- →Bring your own lawn chairs due to the limited number of chairs provided at the facility.
- →Be prepared for very active lifeguard supervision, which some parents find overly strict.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Historically, the pool has suffered from inconsistent operating hours and unexpected closures, sometimes without notice or valid reason, causing frustration for families traveling from a distance.
- ⚠Limited seating (handful of chairs) is available, which can be inconvenient for parents.
- ⚠Some parents find lifeguards overly strict, excessively whistling even for seemingly safe interactions (e.g., an adult with feet on the floor holding a floating child).
- ⚠One parent expressed concern about the lifeguards' certification and ability to save lives due to their perceived over-vigilance.
Price & Value
Pricing is not mentioned in the reviews, but as a 'city pool', it is likely a publicly funded or affordable option. However, unexpected closures (as reported historically) can significantly reduce value, especially for those traveling from out of town (e.g., Petersburg) due to wasted time and fuel costs.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No accommodations mentioned
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned, though one reviewer mentioned traveling from Petersburg, implying local travel is possible.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Less crowded during the 5 PM - 7 PM 'family time' slot.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Active lifeguard supervision (though perceived as overly strict by some).
- •Pool water and facility are consistently maintained as 'very clean'.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Arriving without confirming current hours, particularly on weekdays, to avoid finding the pool unexpectedly closed (though recent reports suggest this is less of an issue now).
- • Expecting a very relaxed swimming environment if overly strict lifeguard enforcement is a concern.
- • Making a long trip if you are highly sensitive to potential unexpected closures, despite recent improvements.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Eric Rush
6 years ago5-7 is family time so its less crowded There going to have seen lessons starting on July 9 I believe
Erica Wandemberg
10 months agowas at the pool and it was hot in about an hour and a half before family time is going to end they said extreme weather we have to leave the pool and then he sat and left and everybody got out eight minutes down the street to Randolph whatever it’s called city pool as well we went swimming there there was no extreme weather that was a lie this isnt the first time they just close the pool when ever they want. As our in that, most of everyone I’ve encountered is friendly. It’s very clean pool I like to take my kids there but when I’m traveling from from Petersburg to there and I get there in 10 minutes later, they make I have to leave that just blew me
Kari Maisach
8 months agoSecond time going here during business hours and the place is locked up and empty. 3pm on a tuesday. I’m sure it’s a great pool but they really need to update their hours
jackie small
2 years agoI've been coming to this pool for years and I've always loved it but this year it's been better than ever! It seems to be fully staffed, the manager and all of the life guards are sweet and on point! The schedule is more regular than it's ever been, I haven't been surprised by a closed pool a single time. In fact I've been surprised to find it open later in the day after thunderstorms have passed! The bathrooms are cleaner than ever and the water is always cleaner than other city pools I've been to! Really love this pool, so glad the city provides this service, it's one of my favorite things about living in the neighborhood.
Ketsia Cordova
a year agoThe pool in itself is very nice. The "lifeguards," on the other hand, are not. I believe they are not certified and are not able to save a life if need be, which is why they have their whistles glued to their mouths. If you, a grown adult, have your feet planted flat on the pool floor with your 14 yr old on your back as she's floating, they will whistle. If it had not been for the lifeguards and the fact they have a handful of chairs available, I would've rated a full 5 stars. P.s. take lawn chairs with you!!