Jones Beach pools see increased attendance this summer

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a nearly 36 percent increase in attendance at New York State Park pools this summer, including at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh. From July 3 through Labor Day, 542,661 visitors utilized state park pools, a rise of 143,639 from 2023.

As part of her “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, Governor Hochul removed swimming pool entry fees for the entire summer. This initiative is part of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming program, also known as NY SWIMS. The program aims to promote physical and mental health by encouraging families to disconnect from digital devices and enjoy outdoor recreation.

Jones Beach State Park, a key location in the Wantagh area, will continue to offer swimming daily through Sept. 15, weather permitting.

Overall state park attendance also saw an increase of nearly 2.5 percent this summer, with approximately 28.7 million visitors to parks and historic sites, according to Hochul’s office.

"Swimming is one of the biggest attractions at State Parks, and it’s been wonderful to offer free pool access for New Yorkers this year," New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons wrote in a news release. "I strongly encourage all New Yorkers to continue following the 'Get Offline, Get Outside' mantra as we transition into the fall – one of the most beautiful times of year in this glorious state."

The increase in pool attendance is attributed to the removal of entry fees and the expanded Learn-to-Swim programs, which saw over 2,000 participants this summer. The NY SWIMS initiative also supported the certification of 40 new Water Safety Instructors, enhancing the availability of swimming lessons across 22 state parks.

Governor Hochul’s campaign builds on recent efforts to improve youth and family health, including new legislation to protect children from addictive social media and enhanced mental health resources. Additionally, the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant program was introduced to reimburse transportation costs for students traveling to swimming facilities.

The Governor also announced a $1.5 million investment to facilitate swimming instruction and a $2 million fund to enhance community access at SUNY pools.

For more information on visiting state parks, including Jones Beach State Park, visit parks.ny.gov.