5 Best Public Pools in Brooklyn

The next few days are going to be hot. While Ditmas Park has no public pools of its own, there are several outdoor pools that are worth the trip. 

NYC Public Pools opened June 27. Hours are 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. All pools are free.

Note that the only things permitted on the pool deck are a towel, sunscreen, a water bottle, books or bound periodicals (such as magazines) and rubber flip-flops or water shoes. No newspapers or electronic equipment–including cell phones–are allowed. If you want to wear a t-shirt over your bathing suit, it must be plain white (weird, but true). So you need to bring your own lock for everything you can’t bring poolside.

Here's our entirely subjective list, in order, of the five best pools in Brooklyn. If you disagree, let us know in the comments. 

1. McCarren Pool, This renovated mega-pool is gorgeous, and well orth the trip on the G-train. The 38,000-square foot pool can hold 1,500 people and has a wading area and sprinklers for the kids, sand volleyball court and a squeeky clean locker room. If you're concerned about the violence and poop issues from last summer, don't worry, those issues were quickly put to rest and the pool got rave reviews from the Daily News. Located at 475 Lorimer St, between Bayard St. and Driggs Ave (take the G to Nassau Avenue). 

2. Red Hook Pool. This one is a major hike, so we didn't include it in the list. But you can take the bus there (the B63 to the B61 see full directions here), and we're including it as an extra because at 330' x 130' x 4', it's absolutely enormous, and people love it. (718) 722-3211.

3. Sunset Park Pool. Located in Sunset Park on Seventh Avenue between 41st and 44th Streets, this pool is because it is HUGE, olympic sized: 259' x 162' x 3.5', and an easy subway trip (though a good 10-minute walk when you arrive). (718) 965-6578. Hop the Brooklyn-bound R train to the 45th Street station or the D train (from the Atlantic-Pacific station) to 9th Avenue. 

4. "The Double D,"  is in the Thomas Greene Playground at Third Avenue and Nevins Street. The park has a 75' x 60' x 3' pool, plus a kiddie pool. (718) 625-3268. 

5. Kosciuszko Pool. On Marcy Avenue between DeKalb and Kosciuszko is HUGE, 230' x 100' x 4', and also has a kiddie pool. Take the B38 up Lafayette Avenue or the G train to the Myrtle - Willoughby stop. (718) 622-5271.

Have a pool to suggest? Let us know in the comments.

And don't forget that Brighton Beach is just a 10-15 minute trip on the Q or B train or a lovely bike ride on nearly entirely on protected paths.