Get your speedos out, New York. The McCarren Park Pool has reopened!
Mayor Bloomberg presided Thursday morning over the opening of the newly renovated 37,571-square-foot pool, which originally opened in 1936 by power broker Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, and closed in 1983. In the mid-aughts it had a second life as a music venue for Greenpoint's hipster demographic for the McCarren Park Pool Parties. In 2009 the city announced it would embark on this $50 million facelift to restore the former glory of the Pool.
Even with the pool's storied history however, it seems as though Bloomberg wasn't all too familiar with the Greenpoint landmark, as he mistakenly referred to "McClaren Park" at least four times before finally realizing his error, thanks to shouts from the crowd.
Nevertheless, spirits were high as the mayor, along with a proud Borough President Marty Markowitz and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe (in swimming trunks), officially reopened the pool. Bloomberg praised:
McCarren Park Pool has an illustrious past and a bright future. The major investment we’ve made in this renovation will help return the pool and the park to their place at the center of community life for residents of Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Also present were children from nearby schools celebrating their first day of summer vacation by christening the brand new pool. Lucky!!
Take the big dip below and happy summer!:
