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Splashin’ time in Bronx pools
Looking to take a dip? Over the next four weekends, the Daily News will rate the city’s public outdoor pools - revealing which make a splash and which are troubled waters.
News reporter Analis Morales suited up and went exploring from the shallow end to the deep end - and back again. Here are her findings about the Bronx:
W. 242nd St. and Broadway
BEST QUALITIES: A swimmer’s dream. Lockers are plentiful, the crowd is well-behaved and there’s lots of room to practice the backstroke. There were also four lifeguards - the most we saw - including one in the water.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Nothing that we could find.
TIP: The pool is at its most pleasant before noon.
FLOATING POOL at BARRETTO POINT PARK
Tiffany St. and Viele Ave.
BEST QUALITIES: Water so clean and clear that you can see to the bottom. Sprinklers for the toddlers and seven lanes for serious swimmers.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: The locker room had no designated area for changing privately.
TIP: Get there before 1 p.m., when the heavy crowds start descending.
170th St. and Clay Ave.
BEST QUALITIES: The water is super cold and perfectly refreshing on unbearably hot days.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: The crowds were the worst-behaved we saw. A fight nearly broke out, and police were called to calm tensions.
TIP: Get to the pool before the rush around 4 p.m.
CROTONA
173rd St. and Fulton Ave.
BEST QUALITIES: It’s the borough’s largest pool, so it’s great for hard-core swimmers. The eagle-eyed lifeguards patrol from chairs as well as on foot.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Half of the pool was roped off on our visit, leading to crowded waters.
TIP: Don’t let the long line outside scare you off - it moves quickly. Just get there well ahead of the 6:45 p.m. closing time.
MAPES
E. 180th St. and Prospect Ave.
BEST QUALITIES: The two lifeguards are attentive and the water is chlorine-sting free.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Many kids and adults were getting rowdy and using foul language - then two teens got arrested. Also, the pool was still dirty after a one-hour recess for cleaning.
TIP: It’s so close to the Bronx Zoo that multitasking families can head to both in one day.
HAFFEN
Ely and Burke Aves.
BEST QUALITIES: Tucked away in a residential area, Haffen is a quieter alternative to other city pools.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Swimmers should change at home because the locker rooms were small and dirty.
TIP: Don’t dillydally when the pool is closing - the rude staff will holler at you to get out.
MULLALY
E. 164th St. between Jerome and River Aves.
BEST QUALITIES: Singles might consider this pool, which had some of the best-looking sunbathers.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: The pool starts getting crowded early, around noon.
TIP: Located in the shadow of the new Yankee Stadium, baseball fans should consider taking a dip after a game.
Tags: 170th St. and Clay Ave., 173rd St. and Fulton Ave., 242nd Street and Broadway, Bronx Neighborhood News, Bronx News, CLAREMONT, E. 164th St. between Jerome and River Aves., E. 180th St. and Prospect Ave., Ely and Burke Aves., Tourism, Van Cortlandt Park PoolRelated posts
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