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Endless Summer: NYC May Keep Pools & Beaches Open Past Labor Day
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 10, 2015
Modified Mar 10, 2015
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 10, 2015
Modified Mar 10, 2015
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Now that the weather's finally graduated from necessitating two pairs of tights to merely one pair of tights, it's time to start stocking up on sunscreen and clarifying shampoo for summer beach and pool visits. And this year, sunburn season might stretch on for a few weeks—the city's considering keeping pools and beaches open through the end of September.
As it stands now, Labor Day Weekend is doomsday for city-run pools and beaches like Coney Island and the McCarren Poop Pool. But a bill sponsored by Councilman Mark Levine aims to extend that season until school starts on weekdays, and through the end of September on weekends. The Parks Department says they're considering it. "We’ve heard you loud and clear,” Commissioner Mitchell Silver told City Council recently. “It is something we’re seriously taking a look at.
The bad news is that keeping these watering holes open is expensive—the Parks Department says it could cost the city up to $1 million a week to maintain them post-season, and for that price we could get a whole bunch of pandas. Officials also say there could be a dearth of lifeguards in September, since so many go back to college when the official summer season ends. "The reality is if it’s warm out and it’s not a school day, people are going to go to the beach. And if there’s no lifeguards, then they’re risking their lives," Levine told the Daily News.
Ah well, we can dream. For now, peruse these beach tips we compiled last summer and take one last, loving look at those blackened snow banks (before they're buried under more snow this weekend).
Tagged
beaches
mark levine
parks department
pools
summer
Rebecca Fishbein
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