DAILY NEWS—With Labor Day and the swimming season over, it’s understandable that many people put water safety out of mind with beach and pool days behind us. But for a country facing a national water safety crisis, this should be a year-round issue that demands our attention. Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments, and innovative programs, NYC has the makings of a blueprint on water safety for other cities to follow.
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In response to a 2024 New York City Council analysis that found more than 3 million New Yorkers live in districts without a single public pool, the “Let’s Swim NYC” initiative was launched. This initiative provides an historic $1 billion capital investment over five years. Funding is being used to build two new indoor pools, renovate three others, and repair projects at 39 pools across the city. This commitment is a model for how cities can improve access and save lives.
Improving water safety requires a robust supply of qualified lifeguards and swim instructors, and the continuing nationwide shortage of both groups must be addressed. Cities should focus on working with aquatic providers to create a comprehensive pipeline of certified lifeguards and swim instructors year-round.
In New York, in 2023, the NYC Aquatics & Lifeguard Taskforce was created as a collaborative effort between the YMCA of Greater New York, NYC nonprofit aquatic providers, and multiple city agencies, including the NYC Parks Department, NYC Department of Education, the Mayor’s Office, and others to address the shortage and expand water safety education. Together, this group has begun to develop and implement creative solutions to some of the most common barriers faced.
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