My child was chosen in a lottery to participate in advance swim lessons for the week by the NYC Parks and Recreation Department. I was seriously impressed with the cleanliness of the entrance, pool, and locker rooms (I'm from Brooklyn so I remember what the pool used to look like...that's another story). All personal items must be locked up. The rules by the Parks Department seems a bit archaic: The only items you can take to the pool area are a towel and flip flops(literally). Books and reading material are permitted. You must provide and use your own padlock. They suggest a combination lock. No Electronic equipment, including cell phones. Only white t-shirts are permitted in the water. The staff was professional and courteous. Instructors were eager to answer any questions we had, however I was disappointed because my son arrived for advanced swimming lessons and the children there were clearly not ready for advance swim lessons. The instructor said she had to give instructions based on the skill set of the group and that was basic 101. My son was bored and we gave up our coveted lottery spot to one of several children on the waiting list. I'm seriously unhappy with the instructions, but I blame that on the parents not the swim instructors. However the facility was impressive and squeaky clean. read more

See all

the pool is very dirty and it is not maintained well,im not going to lie the staff is very rude and disrespectful,they talk to eachother more than doing there job.hands down 1 star read more

Nastiest staff anyone can positively hire. Would give 0 stars. Free pool with so many rules. My friend came in the pool w biker shorts and a top saying she did not want to swim while the rest of us where. However the stuff was so against the idea to let someone in with regular clothes. What if a person doesn't wanna show their body, same thing with muslim religion. They have no respect to what a person wants to feel comfortable in. The rules aside one of the woman agreed to letting my friend in w the clothes however there was back up called after seeing her enter from other staff. They did not communicate professionally and started shouting at my group. After entering 3 times we gave up and left. Btw none of us ended up going inside the pool. Horrible experience for such a nice pool. Disgusting staff! Get tough professionally before hiring, please. read more

The pool managers and staff are insensitive to persons with disabilities. While boasting ADA compliance online, staff would not grant access. They would not allow me to bring my crutches onto the pool deck, thus I was denied entry. I broke my ankle and have been navigating NYC on a removable boot and crutches. My doctor encouraged water therapy. The onsite staff member was frustrated raising her voice. She was unprofessional and uninformed; she irrationally accused me of calling earlier in the day. I hear/see the rules, especially for those pertaining to differently-abled individuals she said; wheelchairs patrons had to shower in wheelchair (thus soaking their equipment), and would have to be carried to the pool deck, thus leaving their chair behind. I later received a call from the Parks Department where they apologized, had spoke with the pool staff and shared the correct rules/protocol, therefore I can go onto the pool deck with my crutches. When asked is there was a training manual for staff detailing the pool rules, the Parks Department was vague stating the rules were up to/enforced differently at every pool. And they justified their staff by saying there is often limited space on the pool deck for crutches and wheel chairs. NYC Parks Department: 1. post the pool rules and protocol clearly on your website 2. include guidelines for those who are differently-abled 3. educate your staff and have rules posted/manual available 4. stop the shower before entering the pool, it is perverted to have someone watch you and your children ineffectively wash, or install better showers with soap 5. stop the men's bathing suit liner check, this is a perverted act occurring in the men's locker rooms 6. hire effective and kind staff, going to the pool should not be a stop and frisk 7. create transparency across all pools read more

This is by far the worst public swimming experience I've had either indoors or outdoors in NYC's network of pools. Granted, it was a brutal high-nineties day when I headed over at three-something. First, I saw a cheery mural welcoming me to Kosciusko Pool, followed by high iron fencing and desolation beyond. I wondered if the pool had shut down, but my question was answered when I saw a line of inner city humanity pushed up against a concrete wall, trying desperately to avoid the heat in a one-foot-wide strip of shadow provided by the structure overhead. Everyone expected pool cleaning to be from 3 to 4 p.m., but what they did not expect is for the afternoon re-opening to be delayed for about 45 minutes with no real explanation as to why, let alone an apology. A gaggle of cops stood across the line, just sizzling in their dark uniforms, talking amongst themselves, offering no answers, and avoiding eye contact with the common people. A little girl asked me why I wasn't standing right up against the wall. She seemed really concerned about this. Confused, I found a kind way to tell her it was all right, and that I could stand the way I wanted to stand. Soon, I was to find out that I was wrong. NYC Parks staff members started walking down the eternal line, shouting about having locks, caps, and swimming diapers for babies, and telling us to get up against the wall. As if by reflex, the crowd flattened against the wall, leaving no space between sweating bodies in the sweltering heat. The little girl's sweet little face was in my shwetty back, and my chest was creepily pressed up against the mildewy towel draped over the shoulders of a pre-adolescent boy. As the delay passed the half hour mark, people finally reverted to survival mode, deploying certain members of the family to purchase water. Others just complained, voices escalating with anger. I asked if this type of delay was a frequent occurence. "It's ALWAYS like this," a young girl bellowed. When I finally reached the holy grail that was the ramp leading down to the basement locker rooms, I was pretty much frisked by two park attendants and perhaps a cop. Like a quarterback getting on the field, I ran through a tunnel. The tunnel was creepy, dirty in the corners, and had that cheesy reek of old chlorine mixed with miscellaneous filth.. The lockers were similarly dank and dirty. I finally reached the 200x100 foot pool and stopped dead in my tracks because I realized it was the only option, other than the somewhat elevated, obscured kiddie pool off in the distance which I knew would be even more stagnant than what I saw in front of me. Everywhere, bodies brawled in the water, completely keyed up in their relief from the heat. Even from a distance, the water was visibly tainted. I almost chickened out. This is unlike me. I scolded myself and stalked over to a remote corner and stepped in. Wearing goggles may have saved my eyes, but was a poor course of action for other reasons. As I breaststroked tentatively through the throngs of kids, I saw with great clarity the clots of phlegm, tangles of hair, dirt, and brown looking streaks moving through the uniformly brown-green water. I gagged, and of course took in a nice mouthful of the concoction. Unable to stop the thoughts of fecal matter, excretions, and dead skin cells that were undeniably and visibly present in the water, I jumped out in about five minutes, throwing up a little in my mouth. I showered until my skin stopped itching, threw my dress over my head, then ran out the way I'd run in, not even bothering to towel off since it was so hot outside. Some of the same people I'd seen in line were still standing there, looking quite hopeless as thunderclouds now threatened the horizon yet refused to provide respite from the heat. A row of barricades blocked me from exiting. Keeping calm, I asked how to get out. Too lazy to speak, staff member merely pointed straight at the barricades, so I lifted it up myself and barged through, relishing its angry screech against the pavement. I left it open and kept running past the cops, past the mural, and down to the subway. To literally wash myself of the experience, I made the trip to McCarren. Though I also had to wait there for about thirty minutes (it was just that hot of a day that all pools were at capacity), the experience confirmed by comparison that not all pools are created equal. But people are, and I wish I could go back and tell all those literally and figuratively poor kids back in the K-line that they have alternatives. My goal is to support the park pools. And I have a ton of respect for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. But quite frankly, this facility is the failed state of city pools, and I'm not sure one can blame it on security issues of overpopulation. I'd urge the curious to stay away from this pool, especially on hot days, and make some space to those who are trapped by circumstance or by location into resorting to it. read more

Kosciuszko Pool - Swimming Pools Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Clean, consistent pool in the heart of bedstuy. Plenty of lounge space on the deck to get some sun but make sure to get there early to snag a spot. NYC pools open at 11 so if you're going on the weekend and you want a chair, try to get there before 12. Kind, reliable and efficient staff. Not sure what other NYC pools are like but I've never had a reason to try:) This pool is solid! read more

This place doesn't deserve a 1 star I would give this a 0 rating if I could. The staff was rude and don't treat people with respect. They had a bad attitude towards me and my friends. I don't recommend going here at all. Everything is prohibited cell phones, clothes, sneakers, socks, bags and etc. You must bring a lock to store your belongings which is understandable but someone who doesn't feel comfortable wearing a bikini can't enjoy the time at the pool. You can't even sit and watch. The workers alter the rules when they want. I'm never going back to this place again. read more

Since I moved to Bed-Stuy I always wanted to try this pool, which is the closest outdoor pool to my place. This is a very popular pool: last time I checked it they were letting people in only when other people were leaving. Today, being a warm but overcast day, I finally got the opportunity to swim in this pool. When I got there I was pleasantly surprised by the changing facilities: while most locker rooms at public pools look truly awful if not downright scary, the locker room at the Kosciusko pool is actually not bad at all, certainly above average. The lockers are brand new, and the showers and bathrooms are actually pretty clean. Once I'm done swimming at a public pool, I usually prefer to shower at home, but here I didn't mind taking my shower at their facility. This pool is big: 230' x 100' x 4'. Today there were never more than 3 others swimmers doing laps, which was great! The water is clean, and I counted 11 lifeguards working at any give time, plus 2 police officers (hey, this is Bed-Stuy after all!). If you like to lounge on the side of the pool and bathe in the sun, keep in mind that there is only a limited number of chairs, about 10. There si also a pool for kids which is 42' x 52' x 1.5'. Overall it was a real pleasure to swim in this pool. Too bad it's open only until Labor Day! read more

The pool itself is very nice, well kept and clean, and good for kids but the rules they strictly enforce are a bit absurd. Here's an overview: You must quickly step into a shower before you enter the pool area, can only wear white shirts and white hats in the pool area, any shoes must be "water shoes" like flip flops (I tried wearing boat shoes and they were denied). That they enforce having a lock is very reasonable as you can't really keep your belongings close so it's better to just lock them up. My wife was told she couldn't bring our 3 year old son through the female locker room. Again, the rules are strictly enforced. There's also very little shade to speak of, but there is a lot of space to sit. The pool itself though is very large and never felt crowded even though we were there on one of the hottest days of the year. It would be a much more enjoyable experience if they relaxed some of the seemingly outdated rules. read more

I've heard horrible things about public pools in nyc. So since I've moved here, I've avoided them. Finally, I gave up the ghost because I'm a pool person. And I'm so glad I did! First off, it's free. Can't beat that. The pool itself is huge and has a lap lane area (which was what I wanted). Lifeguards are great, wasn't over crowded and there's a kiddie pool. Thumbs up and I'll be back. Make sure you bring a lock for your stuff! read more

Kosciuszko Pool - I loved this pool, will definitely be back - Swimming Pools Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Decent pool, had a summer shower that cut time short but overall we had fun. My son loved it and wants to go back. I would recommend on a calm Sunday. read more

I can't say anything bad about this pool It's clean and the staff is simply doing their jobs. They are strict but who cares? I grew up in NYC and you better be lucky to have a public pool this clean. read more

It a amazing pool it great it very and they are respectful it only the fact there is a part of the that's not open and a lot of y'all be capping on the pool name it a very good pool and the people are very happy read more

CLEAN AND FREE I've passed this pool for 2 years, and never had any desire to go in. But now that the fascination for the pool has worn off others and it is calmer, i decided to pop in. I was so happy, firstly it was free, how fab. There was very few people there on a Tuesday morning at 11 am. The locker rooms were clean, toilets..a lil gross not that bad. The pool area itself was really clean. My son had a ball he didn't want to leave. And I just saw they offer free swimming classes! I will certainly be spending the rest of my summer at this pool it was great. But I'm not sure how I'll deal with the crowds on week-ends. There are great swimming lanes for people that don't have kids and want to swim laps, so I will be taking advantage of that soon too! read more

Overall this is a very good pool. It's huge, not overcrowded, and lots of on duty lifeguards. The lap lanes were virtually empty, and the staff was mostly pleasant. However. 1. In the center of the lap lanes section of the pool was a half eaten whole chicken. Cooked, bone in chicken. Closer to the rope was a chicken neckbone. I notified the guard on duty and swam close so they could get a net and see where it was. I was told to move along (in the empty section), and no net came. That is soup, not a pool. Note: one of the managers said that sometimes birds fly over and drop things in, and that they vacuum the pool every morning. Except they have no nets and can't scoop out a KFC bucket's worth of chicken that outweighs most infants? Gross. 2. Per ADA laws they have to allow medical devices into the pool area, including my prescription goggles. Everyone was fine with it, and I notified and approved all the way up the line to the managers so there would be no trouble. So of course one of the young guys lifeguarding felt the need to lecture me about the what ifs of me not being able to breathe with my nose covered. By a scuba mask. In a 4' deep pool where I'm 5'8, fat and thus vehemently buoyant, and a strong swimmer, and where 6 other people had agreed with the compliance. Same guy who told me to move along when I pointed out the chicken in his section. I think the facility itself is pretty well tended and they care, but FFS get a net and an ADA handbook. read more

I was so excited to try this pool especially after reading the reviews. In order to make sure I had no valuables and make life simple for myself I took the following items. Swimsuit (wearing) Swim trunks (wearing) tank top (wearing) flip flops (wearing) towel keys goggles swim cap coin pouch w/ ID I was sure I would be able to leave the items I wouldn't be using to swim wrapped in my towel--hence no need for a locker. Just like I've done at all public pools and beaches throughout my entire life. The lady checking people at the entrance let me in and said I didn't need a lock. Right as I was about to shower to enter the pool, I was told that I had to lock up all items except for my towel and the items I would be wearing to swim in. I asked if I could just leave my items in a locker as I did not have anything valuable. I was informed that I needed to have a lock. I had to leave. Thus I just wasted 30 minutes of my day walking to and from the pool. I am very disappointed. This is absurd. I don't understand why everything in NYC has to be so complicated. Everyone is not a criminal. NYC needs to get over itself. I'm going to pay for a Y membership. I don't need free when I'm going to be treated like Osama Bin Laden. read more

Pool is very clean for a bed stuy public pool but staff is just horrible here attention some pros and cons PROS -clean CONS -Staff is disgustingly rude -you can't bring food or soda (water only) -bathrooms are nasty (very strong smell of pee) -pool only goes up to 4" - lifeguards do NOTHING! -they don't have soap to wash your hair -locker rooms are very small and crowded (not enough benches) Basically it's clean and THATS IT! Not very family friendly when I went there 2 ladies got arrested when for hitting and punching their children. What pissed me off the most was I could not bring my snacks in I had to throw everything out also have a lock and don't bring you phone! To many thieves read more

Despite being a pool lover and Bed-Stuy resident, I avoided this pool for years, worrying that it would be poorly maintained and overly crowded. Wrong! I went at noon on a Sunday and was shocked by how clean, huge and empty the pool was. It's an Olympic-sized pool (plus a separate wading pool), staffed by plenty of lifeguards and mostly attended by families and people with kids. It does feel a little like a fascist regime getting into the pool (see list below), but once you're in, it's really nice. The staff are no-nonsense but perfectly friendly. If you're hoping for an Upper East Side experience in BK, I hear you can spend $60 on a day pass to the McCarren hotel's dinky rooftop pool. If you're looking for a free, pleasant place to swim or lie out, this pool is your jam. Bring: a lock for a locker, a swimsuit, towel, stuff to read, sunscreen. You will have to lock your phone/valuables/anything other than what's above in the locker -- including your shoes and clothes. Only white t-shirts are allowed on the pool deck/in the pool. read more

The staff is so mean. I saw them yell at so many people about arbitrary rules that aren't posted there. We were chastised for coming fully dressed and wearing shoes. Because we didn't know to bring a locker lock, they told us we needed to go back to our car, change into our bathing suit and walk back without clothes or shoes. Pass. read more

LAP SWIM HOURS REDUCED! SO SAD! I love this pool. I swam there all last year, and really improved my endurance. I also had a really great time being outdoors instead of doing laps in a stuffy basement pool. However, I learned that THIS year, 2014, the lap swim hours have been cut drastically. They are now only from 11:00am - 2:45 pm, when they used to be all day long. All day is a bit much, sure, so I get having to make some cuts, but eliminating that many hours? I understand that there are budgetary issues at work here, and that employing enough lifeguards to cover such a large pool is costly. However (as a former lifeguard) I know that by shifting one or two guard stations, each area of the main pool could be covered adequately. I'm not sure why that can't be done, and am super sad that I can't swim laps as much this year. read more

Pleasantly surprised! I've lived within walking distance of this pool for 9yrs but I never ventured in. I didn't sign my boys up for swim this summer and I wanted to make sure they didn't lose any skills since they are still pretty young. We decided to take the plunge (I know, corny) and headed to the pool 1st thing this past Sunday morning. The rules are very strict and since I don't know anyone who goes to this pool I was not prepared. ABSOLUTELY make sure you bring a lock. I thought I could just bring my stuff poolside. Luckily there is a bodega a short block away that sells locks - they had them lined up on the counter just waiting for people like us who are ill prepared. When they say only your bathing suit, towel and shoes/flip-flops on deck that's exactly what they mean. I had a sundress on top of my bikini and that had to be removed. My husband had on a t-shirt and that had to go to. No food, no cameras, no cellphones... I think you get the picture. They strictly enforce the rules. I haven't been to any of the other public pools but I imagine the rules are the same for all of them. The pool is clean. There are about 10 lifegaurds on at any time. It wasn't overcrowded (but again I went as soon as they opened at 11am and left at 1pm so I don't know what the afternoon is like.) Most of the people there were parents with their children. There are only about 10 lounge chairs so unless you're one of the 1st people in the chances are quite slim that you'll get a hold of one. There is an area at the far end if you want to do laps - there were very few people in that area. Another plus is they give free food to the children. Your basic school lunch - a sandwich, cole slaw, choc milk and a nectarine. What a way to keep the kids happy and active on a summer day! Free pool, free lunch and minutes from home. Too bad I didn't visit the pool sooner. I will definetly be back... several times before it closes for the year. read more

I love my pool. The kids section can get crowded but the lap lanes are wonderful. The staff is very strict about making sure that only people who are swimming stick to the lap lanes. The pool is clean, nearby, and free. The locker rooms are locker rooms. This isn't a $150 a month gym. They get wet, but there is staff to clean up who gets paid minimum wage. So people's expectations need to calm down. Its a wonderful pool. I've been here for 9 years and in all those years I've never had a negative experience. I even got sick once and had the staff look after me and help me until I felt better. A definite plus for BK. PS: Don't review if you've only tried to swim on a 100 degree day. There isn't a free pool that isn't overly crowded and uncomfortable on that day. Also, stick to the rules, bring a lock, its for your own safety. No, the rules won't be bent just for you. And as far as "ghetto people." If you feel you are better than the people in your neighborhood, also stay away. This place isn't for you. Good luck at your fancy gym. read more

I enjoy coming to this pool every year because it's clean and to top it off has beach chairs that are perfect. That means you don't have to place you towel or yourself on the bare floor. There's always someone in the locker rooms so there's no stealing. The staff well that's another story. My advise minimal interaction and you'll be fine. I also like the fact that they give Free lunch to the kiddies almost Daily. read more

I live in Bedstuy right around the corner from this pool and I love having such a huge pool so close. The lines to get in do get a bit long but go quick. I wish you didn't have to use a specific type of padlock but otherwise everything is nice and what you would expect from a community pool. I love the history associated with it and its so close. read more

I take my five year old daughter to this pool, and when alone, I go and swim laps there. It's a huge pool - there's always room for people in the main portion, and there's a baby pool at the back for little ones. My daughter loved the baby pool when she was little.) There's a lot of room in the lap part of the pool, and usually not many lap swimmers, which is a miracle in any NYC pool, public or private. The locker rooms are a little grim, but my main problem is how many boy children are in the women's locker room who are way too old to be in there. (Plus their moms don't seem to take any responsibility for their boy children staring and women and girls changing.) They also have the nyc free kids lunch program, which is smart. Could it be a little less rowdy in the pool at times? Sure, but how about also acknowledging that inner city kids needs somewhere to splash and yell and let off steam. Grown ups and kids are always going to be at odds when sharing space, and I feel annoyed at times, but my kid loves it and I do much of the time, too. read more

Enjoyed myself. Went Sunday after church for about an hour and a half. Didn't want to deal with the locker situation, so I just wore my bathing suit & flip flops and put my towel around my waist. I'm lucky though, because I live within walking distance and don't need to whip out a metro to get there. People (staff and other folk) were kind to me. The water was cold, and I loved it. You get used to it & it's nice because when you get out you can sit in the sun for a good 20mins before you feel like you're baking again. Not enough chairs for everyone but I still got one because most folks come to get into the pool. Lots of places to lay out on your towel anyway. GO! You won't regret it :) read more

I've swum in about 6 different public pools for lap swimming and this one is the best. There are very few other lap swimmers and they let you swim laps whenever you want - no set schedule like all of the other pools. It is cleaner than all of the other pools I've been to. Now, we are talking public pool "clean", not country club clean or something. One must be realistic about their expectations, they have a lot of people going through this pool so considering that, I think they do a good job keeping it clean. The lifeguards are also attentive. read more

This is a great community pool. It's free, it's clean and it's massive. A truly great neighborhood amenity for those hot summer days. There are only a handful of chairs, but if you hawkeye, one will become available eventually. read more

The pool is huge and services a lot of people in the community. If you are swimming laps you will have a pleasant time as the lap lanes are usually empty. The rest of the pool is pretty rowdy. When I am with my kids I choose a small corner and let them frolic for a little while. The locker room is yucky. McCarren has the best locker room as it is more modern. read more