Photo credit: Jessica Militello
July 31, 2025 By Jessica Militello
Summer days are beginning to wind down, but the Astoria Pool is still open until Sept. 7 to help New Yorkers cool off and enjoy the last of the longer days and warm nights before the season gives way to Fall.
The urban oasis, perched between the park and adjacent to the waterfront, is a fun and free activity that has provided much-needed relief from the heat, particularly through the heat waves the city received in July and August, with temperatures feeling like it was in the 100s on some days. With so many New Yorkers seeking relief, it was perfect timing for the Olympic-sized pool to receive quite the facelift after a $19 million revamp, which took place in 2023.
When the pool reopened in June 2024, the makeover included changes such as a replacement of the pool’s shell, deck, and filtration system. The already popular space definitely received noticeable attention from visitors for its expanded space and clean environment.
“It’s clean and it’s in good condition,” said one pool-goer, Alisa Fletcher, who came one morning with her son. “I love that there are different parts of the pool, one where you can go with your child, there’s the deep part where you can go by yourself, and it’s just good for family.”
The changes were aimed at addressing some of the aging infrastructure in the nearly century-old pool, which first opened in 1936 at the height of the Great Depression and during a sweltering heat wave. The renovation updated and modernized the space while maintaining its historic charm, giving pool goers the best of both worlds and something to look forward to, whether they were returning to the pool this summer or trying it out for the first time.
Photo credit: Jessica Militello
“I remember the summer prior, only half of the pool was open, so it’s great,” said Chenyi J. “The pool gets so many people, so I’m so glad that they opened more space.”
With fitness and wellness definitely at the forefront of many of the park and pool’s amenities, including the Olympic-sized pool, a track, fitness equipment, and a skate park, another highlight of the area is free swimming lessons, which are offered to children and adults through NYC Parks’ Learn to Swim Program. Sessions began on June 24 and will end shortly on Aug. 15, but the free classes provide an invaluable tool, not only for summer fun, but for safety as well.
Photo credit: Jessica Militello
The Astoria Park and pool area continues to be a hub for fitness, wellness, and community, and provides a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, work out, and meet with friends without having to spend money, and simply enjoy nature and the outdoors. Astoria residents and New Yorkers, luckily, will still have the opportunity to make the most of the pool for the next month or so before it closes until next summer.
Photo credit: Jessica Militello
“It’s the main reason to live in Astoria,” said a local resident, Josh Bismuth. “They have adult lap swimming so you can work out, and be separate from the kids, and with the park nearby, you can run on the track; that’s what I use it for, but people like to go for different reasons.”
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