New York City opened its network of more than 75 free outdoor public pools on 27 June, marking the start of the 2025 summer season that runs through 7 September. Facilities operate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a one-hour cleaning break at mid-afternoon. The Parks Department says it has 680 certified lifeguards on duty, surpassing last year’s staffing level. The season’s headline attraction is the Gottesman Pool, which makes its debut at the new Davis Center on the north end of Central Park. The convertible complex replaces the aging Lasker Rink and will function as a turf field in spring and autumn and an ice rink in winter. City agencies are rolling out complementary programs. The Department of Transportation’s Summer Streets initiative will close 22 miles of roadway to cars on five consecutive Saturdays—starting in Queens and Staten Island on 26 July, running through three weekends in Manhattan, and concluding in the Bronx and Brooklyn on 23 August—creating space for walking, cycling and cultural events from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, the Department of Education’s Free Summer Meals programme is serving breakfast and lunch at schools, parks, libraries and mobile food trucks through 29 August. Any New Yorker aged 18 or younger can receive meals without registration or identification. Pool users must wear proper swimwear, bring a sturdy lock for lockers and leave food and electronic devices outside the deck area. Real-time information on pool closures is available via the city’s Notify NYC system.