Highbridge Pool - New York, New York

Iryna S.

When we arrived at the swimming pool, there was a line with about 10 people waiting. We waited our turn as they allowed people in one by one when someone else left. We assumed this was because all the lockers were occupied and we had to wait for one to become available. However, once we got inside, we found plenty of empty lockers and very few people in the pool. Only about a quarter of the pool was being used. I don't understand why they don't let people in without making them wait in line.

As for the pool itself, it is clean and well-maintained. There are lifeguards on duty, a children's play area, and facilities to play checkers, chess, and in a sandbox. Naturally, as with all pools, photography and bringing your phone are not allowed.

A S.

I grew up coming to this place with family and friends , but more with my Niece (we 4Yrs apart btw) we were in the pool almost everyday and collecting money from family members and friends to buy (Piraguas) from the multiples carts that use to line up around the entrance, I miss those days and am so happy I got to take my 3 youngest daughter last weekend for the first time 😊

Andy S.

Very clean. Don’t forget to bring a lock (not every lock fits), sunblock, water, hat and towel. Weird schedule - closes at 3 reopens at 4pm.
Amazing for the hot day.
Enjoy✨

Yali C.

Today was my first time going to this pool. The line wasn’t too bad and got in within 5-10 minutes. The staff upon entry were very pleasant. Once we passed the bag check, lockers were available for our belongings. The staff in the ladies bathroom were also nice and told us where the stalls were. Everything was clean including the pool, no excessive chlorine in the water. It’s kid-friendly as well. I’m glad to say my experience was lovely on this day with my family, thank you all !

Josie P.

For being a public pool they're pretty clean. I love how they remodeled the whole area and it's very inviting to everyone. I always tend to go during the first shift from 11am-3pm. It's not crowded and your ability to enjoy yourself and relax.

Dan Z.

My days at the NYC Parks and Recs pools are behind me but I was chatting with a friend about the time I used to go to this pool. I'll say this: If it weren't for how ghetto this pool is, it would easily be my favorite NYC Parks and Rec pool.

Its a HUGE pool and unlike many other rec pools, it has a free swimming deep end that goes up to 10 feet. You don't get many pools that have a deep end like this. Its also right near the Highbridge (which is what the park and pool is named after) and its a wonderful bridge to walk. I will also say, if you can find a good time to come here on the weekday, where the temperature is mild, then you can possibly have a great swimming session. As many of the regular folks tend not to come on a day where it isn't so hot.

Otherwise, avoid this pool at all cost. UNLESS you're ghetto as hell and Dominican

SIDEBAR: I am NOT saying Dominicans in general are ghetto, I am just stating some facts. I used to come here for years and the people who get rowdy and act ghetto here tend to be overwhelmingly Dominican. Don't hit me up with any claims of being racist. Dominicans know this themselves, nothing against Dominicans, not hating just stating.

On a hot summer day, especially on a Fri-Sun, it gets packed, it gets WILD and rowdy. And please, DO NOT bring anything of value. They don't steal like they used to but back in the day, theft was a major issue here in the locker rooms. The locker rooms are a little better but the staff who don't get paid enough to give a damn whether your valuables get stolen are not. So be careful. The lines are usually ridiculously long and when you finally get in the pool, it can be hard to find a spot to put your stuff. It gets to the point where it can be overcrowded.

PROS:

-Huge pool with a free swimming deep end
-Located right on Highbridge, great to get some extra exercise
-On a nice, mild (80 and below) weekday, this place can be great and peaceful with little to no line

CONS:
-Any day that it is hot ESPECIALLY on a weekend, it can be a hot, rowdy, ghetto mess.
-If you have anything of value, LEAVE IT AT HOME or somewhere safe. Just don't bring it here unless you have someone with you whom can watch your stuff.
-Lines can be LONG and by the time you get in, its so packed you don't know where to put your stuff

Overall, if it weren't for the particular young, rowdy, super ghetto demographic that comes here, this pool can be great. And it has its days that are so much better but those are generally the milder temp days. Otherwise, AVOID this pool when the temperature is steaming.

김채원

I feel I have to write this review.
I visited here after my work in mid August around 6-7pm.
And the way staff behaved was really racist and I feel discriminated.
When I first tried to enter the entrance they just yelled at me without any guidance of where to go.
They didnt instruct me where to go or which way to enter.
And they said they have to open my bag and bring all stuffs out of it before I entered the changing room.
They inspected all my belongings even more than they had to do and even took my swimsuit out of my bag to unfold it in the air so that everyone could see that. They didnt have to.
And they took me a room (it was outdoor) for changing which was really uncomfortable and dirty. And it turned out there was indoor changing room right next to it where the other people were still using.
At there I changed my clothes on cement floor alone.
And when I entered the pool i put my belongings (just the key of locker and phone. I put all the other belongings in the locker) on the bench.
And suddenly the staff came to me and said “if you don’t put your phone in the locker, we will kick you out” So I should go back to locker and put my phone. And I saw every one except for me had no trouble with putting their belongings on the bench.
They treated me like this without any explanation and I still dont know why I had to put my phone inside the locker.
They kept yelling at me and the way they behaved to me I felt somewhat discriminated and it was different compared to another people there.
I was the only ASIAN at the pool but I am the neighbor here. I have a right to use public facility. Why should i be treated like that?
And staffs also kept asking me question. Are you gonna swim. Why do you come here.
Why should I even answer?
That staff who yelled without any guidance and said she will “KICK ME OUT” had short hair and short height and brown skin.
I felt harrassed and really offended by how the staffs behaved and did their WORK.
I know people like them will not change their thought easily but at least people should know.
This staff behaved discrimination to an asian woman.

Erika R.

This pool is amazing the ppl that go to the pool are cool. Everyone respects Everyone . But the workers ,that one small dark skin lady with the bad lashes is so rude omg she literally hates her job. She made the day so bad. Other then her is was amazing