Taking Action to Support Summer Fun

Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, NY SWIMS is a $150 million investment to build out municipal pools in high-need areas, help New Yorkers learn to swim, address the lifeguard shortage, and invest in State parks and pools.

NY SWIMS Initiatives

Providing More Lifeguards

To address the shortage of lifeguards that significantly constrains the provision of safe swim time, Governor Hochul today announced the availability of $5 million in funds through the Department of State to help incentivize lifeguard recruitment and retention across New York.

Eligible applicants for the funding include New York City, all New York State counties outside of New York City, and the cities of Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers. In partnership with the State, counties will be empowered to direct funding locally to help best support their Town, Village and City lifeguard-attended public swimming areas and swim programs to achieve the highest impact and assist communities in greatest need of support.

The application period for eligible municipalities is now open and the deadline to apply is July 26, 2024. SWIMS Lifeguard Grant funding may be used to cover project costs related to safe swimming opportunities including:

• Advertising for lifeguard positions
• Lifeguard retention and referral bonuses
• Supplementing hourly lifeguard wages
• Lifeguard salary increases.

In 2022, Governor Hochul directed a pay increase for state lifeguards to help address a staffing shortage at New York State Park beaches and pools, Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds, and day use areas beaches.

Building Out Municipal Pools in High-Need Areas

A $90 million NY SWIMS capital program offers grants between $50,000 and $10 million to acquire, design, construct or reconstruct facilities, provide major renovations, improvements, and modernization or rehabilitation of swimming facilities and natural swimming areas. View the Request for Applications for the first round of funding.

Awards are expected to be announced no earlier than August 28, 2024. Applications will be evaluated on characteristics of projects’ need, impact, and viability.

Increase Access to Swimming Instruction

A $1.5 million Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant program will connect New York school age children (pre-K through grade 12) with swimming instruction by reimbursing transportation costs (including parking and vehicle use fees) for travel to facilities in New York State that are operated by State, municipal, and not-for-profit organizations and offer swim instruction for a nationally recognized learn-to-swim curriculum such as the American Red Cross, YMCA, or Starfish Aquatics.

The program allows for grant recipients to be reimbursed up to $45,000 per fiscal year for eligible transportation expenses and there is no matching share required. Applications will be received on a rolling basis. Grant details and guidelines are available on the State Parks website.

Making SUNY Pools Community Anchors

Governor Hochul secured nearly $2 million in the FY 2025 Budget for SUNY campuses to offer lifeguard certification courses and expand access to learn-to-swim classes for youth. SUNY will collaborate with schools, youth and community-based organizations and municipalities to increase learn to swim opportunities across every region of the State. In addition, New York will incentivize SUNY students who are skilled swimmers to become lifeguards by covering the cost of a lifeguard certification exam, and by giving college credit for lifeguard training courses.

Improving Swimming Options and Experiences at State Parks

To create more swim instruction opportunities and keep kids protected at the pool or beach, Governor Hochul directed State Parks to:

• Double the number of pools and beaches that offer water safety instruction programs in 2024 – from 7 to 17 – phasing in the additional beaches and pools in future years.
• Work to transport students and their families to facilities where swimming is offered through the Connect Kids programs.
• Offer free sunscreen at State Park pools to help families stay safe in the sun and enjoy the outdoors.

Renovating Jones Beach East Bathhouse

Governor Hochul secured $100 million to invest in the Jones Beach East Bathhouse, the last major piece of iconic and historic Jones Beach State Park infrastructure not yet touched by the revitalization of the past 10 years. The pool complex will be redesigned and reimagined for future generations to enjoy. The additional funding to mark the park system’s centennial, State Parks will convert an abandoned pool complex into a destination spray park, introducing and incorporating a unique Learn to Swim feature to help children and inexperienced swimmers stay safe in a smaller, controlled environment. State Parks will partner with the Office of General Services to oversee construction of the project. Renderings of the project and photos of the existing condition of the East Bathhouse available here.

Completing Renovation at Riverbank State Park

The renovation of aquatic locker rooms at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park is complete. The project wraps up a $19 million investment in renewing both the athletic and aquatic locker rooms, both heavily-used facilities that haven’t been updated since the park’s original construction three decades ago. Improvements included a refreshed reception area, creature comforts such as a ‘swimsuit spinner’ to help dry wet clothes, accessibility upgrades and new efficient lighting.

Governor Hochul announced that New York State is providing $4.2 million in grant funding to support youth team sports programming, sports education, and athletic equipment upgrades across New York City. Approximately $2.3 million has already been distributed and another $1.9 million is allocated for this summer to support 41 additional community-based organizations.

The funding prioritizes historically underserved neighborhoods, including the six priority New York Police Department (NYPD) precincts identified in A Blueprint for Community Safety, a forward-thinking roadmap with upstream solutions to address gun violence throughout the five boroughs. Among the providers, 17 will provide girls team sports, five target young people who identify as non-binary, and 19 support youth with special needs.

Team sports and activities include volleyball, breakdancing, football, cheerleading, swimming, lacrosse, skateboarding, pickleball, basketball, baseball, soccer, cricket, figure skating, golf, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and bowling.

The allocations are being distributed through the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). The full list of awardees can be viewed online.