Parks Department To Close Four City Pools

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While a trip to the city pool might sound refreshing, some New Yorkers might not be able to go for a dip.

The Parks Department says it plans to close four outdoor pools throughout the city this summer.

Officials will also shorten the pool season by two weeks, which they say will save the city nearly $1.5 million.

The four pools set to close are Wagner Pool in Manhattan, Douglas and DeGraw Pool in Brooklyn, Fort Totten Pool in Queens, and West Brighton Pool on Staten Island.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz on Sunday joined protestors at the Douglas and DeGraw Pool in Gowanus, even showing off swim trunks as a gesture of support.

He says the pools are a valuable resource for thousands of New Yorkers and called on the city to restore the funding or find a corporate sponsor to keep the pools open.

"I can think of NYC and Company reaching out to a major swimwear company and getting them to sponsor the pool this year. They get the ad and good will and it will be great for them and saves the pool for the neighborhood," Markowitz said.

"Everybody comes here and it's a place everyone can pretty much get a long and not worry about what part of area they're from they interact well and have fun and it's just a family place," said one Brooklyn resident.

The Parks Department says the closures were based on "several factors, including attendance figures, proximity to other pools, access to public transit, and the location of the pools relative to residential communities."