Committee on Parks and Recreation

This bill would extend the length of the beach and outdoor pool season for those beaches and pools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation to begin on the second Saturday in May and end on the second Sunday of each October, instead of on the Sunday following Labor Day. The operating hours of such beaches and outdoor pools would be extended from the current 10:00AM to 6:00PM to 8:00AM to 8:00PM. Pools located at indoor facilities would be required to be open each day at a minimum from 7:00AM to 9:00PM.

This bill would require the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation (Parks) to post informational signs about rip tides at each beach entrance, lifeguard chair, and jetty under the jurisdiction of Parks. The Commissioner would be required to post the signs in English, Spanish, and at least two other languages to be determined by Parks.

This bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to install digital signs at city beach entrances that would display visual and play audio announcements about the dangers of rip currents and other water safety hazards. The signs would also provide information about what to do if a swimmer is caught in a rip current.

This bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to identify swimming pools under the jurisdiction of City agencies where it would be feasible for not-for-profit organizations that offer swimming and water safety programming to operate at such pools. Such pools would be included on the online map that is required by Local Law 3 of 2026. If DPR determines that it would not be feasible to offer such programming, DPR would have to submit a report to the Mayor and Council that explains why and offers recommendations on how such pools could be made more accessible for not-for-profit organizations to offer swimming and water safety programming.