PICS: McCarren Park Pool Now Open To Swimmers in Brooklyn!

Summer is here, and Williamsburg’s <a href="http://www.mccarrenpark.com/" target="_blank">McCarren Pool</a> is now officially open to swimmers! <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/leed-silver-mccarren-park-pool-complex-to-welcome-swimmers-in-north-brooklyn-this-summer/" target="_blank">The historic pool</a>, which was used as a concert venue for the last few years, was restored as part of the <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/home/home.shtml" target="_blank">PlaNYC Initiative</a> into a premier <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/leed-silver/" target="_blank">LEED Silver</a> recreation facility, and the grand opening was held on June 28. Inhabitat was on hand to catch the first swimmers taking dips in the shimmering new pool.

The original pool, built in 1936, has been transformed into a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/parsons-design-workshop-transforms-highbridge-park-pool-with-eco-friendly-splash-house-pavilion/" target="_blank">sprawling pool</a> which ranges from deep end swimming to ankle deep wading pool, complete with squirting sprinklers for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/3-easy-ways-to-make-your-air-conditioner-more-energy-efficient-this-summer/" target="_blank">summertime</a> fun.

Unused as a pool since 1983, Mayor Bloomberg and his PlaNYC initiative saw McCarren Pool as the perfect opportunity to bring a public recreation center back to the Williamsburg area, and commissioned Rogers Marvel Architects to create a redesign for the center.

Aside from a pool that can accommodate 1,500 swimmers, the complex also will include a volleyball court, beach, spray showers, basketball court, weight room, dance studio, cardio room and community space, making the facility an asset to the community year round.

The $50 million renovations also include using <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/12x12-twelve-designers-transform-reclaimed-nyc-lumber-into-fresh-modern-furnishings/" target="_blank">historic reclaimed wood</a> from the Coney Island Boardwalk, adding more history to the site.

Visitors are welcomes through the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/sneak-peek-see-inside-mccarren-park-pool-3-weeks-before-it-opens/" target="_blank">infamous McCarren archway</a>, where they can check in at the information kiosk, or visit welcome desks to the left and right of the entry passage.

Outdoor lockers are available for storing street clothes, as are sun loungers and umbrella tables for having lunch or a picnic.

Guests can also climb the arch façade stairs and look down over the pool from a covered elevated terrace, which will host music programming in the future.

In the winter, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/leed-silver-mccarren-park-pool-complex-to-welcome-swimmers-in-north-brooklyn-this-summer/" target="_blank">pool may become an ice rink</a>, so that the locals can enjoy the complex year round, inside and out.

The best part, is that entrance to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/6-ways-to-keep-cool-in-nyc-today/" target="_blank">the pool</a> is free!

Swimmers can enjoy the pool from 11am – 3pm and 4pm – 7pm every day!

The pool's historic clock has been restored.

The neighborhood kids are already lined up in anticipation!

The enormous pool will make 1,500 swimmers very happy this summer!