City officials on Tuesday said they will spend an additional $5.5 million to expand the existing free swimming program for students.
New York City Mayor Adams said the program's expansion will reach an additional 4,800 second graders in underserved and working-class communities across the boroughs, according to a press release.
“Expanding free swimming classes will enrich our young people’s lives and keep them safe, allowing families to confidently take advantage of our world-class beaches and pools," Adams said.
In fiscal year 2024, the Parks Department classes have taught more than 13,000 students throughout the school year. Each session serves six classes, with approximately 20 students per class, or 120 per session, totaling about 360 to 370 students throughout the school year.
“As New York City summers get hotter, New Yorkers of all ages increasingly rely on our 14 miles of beaches and dozens of public pools to cool off,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeffrey Roth. “While we invest in the hardware, spending over $1 billion to retrofit and build new city pools, all that infrastructure only goes so far without the safety skills to go along with it. We’re starting kids early, in second grade, providing free swim safety classes so kids build skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives.”
