Riverbank State Park Outdoor Pool — Attraction in New York

Arrived at the pool on a 92 degree day at 3:50pm. While walking we saw dozens of people leaving the pool yet a sign on the cashier window said closed pool to capacity. Well if people are leaving by the dozens how are you still at capacity. I knocked on the door spoke to a Ranger that said when the cashiers leave that’s it. I said cashiers do not set policy he said they do. I can’t imagine cashiers decide policy. So I asked for a customer relations number he said there should be a number on the window. There are about 8 different papers on the window. Very unsightly and unorganized. Which one has a number? Smh. NYC has had a stretch of 90+degrees weather you would think a State Park would be more companionate. City kids do not have the luxury of having a pool at home this is what they have. And to shut it down so early when family are still arriving is horrible. My 3 year old cried and I mean cried. This can’t continue someone should be at that desk and when people leave you should subtract from the full number so you always know how many swimmers are onsite. Then go to the other windows for carousel tickets and that is closed until 5:15. Yet workers came out of the office. No one would sell the tickets. Is this because the park is in Harlem so you do the community however you choose and we just have to take it? Sad hot Sunday for us. And I will be calling on Monday and going on a writing campaign. Is it staff that are the problem? Supervisors? Management? Lack of oversight? Bottom line not family friendly. But they have that food court grill selling fried foods. It’s the only thing working in this place I guess because it makes money. Not cool Riverbank. And how is it there are no managers onsite to...

I had an unplesant experience. The pool was supposed to open at 11 but the workers arrived late and had a crowd of 20+ people standing around in 95° F heat. Once I got to the front, I was denied entry even though I had swim shorts. The “ranger”, who was more like an overseer, demanded to check everyone’s swim attire prior to paying, which I thought was strange but I obliged. Keep in mind I already had my swim trunks on, so I could not take them off. The material of my shorts was indeed appropriate for swimming, however, the overseer said because he could not see the white meshing I could not enter, despite my attempt to show him the white mesh pockets. Overall I think this site is clearly poorly-funded and the miserable workers take joy in denying people a place to swim, especially Black and Brown people as they (white people) have done for generations. I think the lengths these workers go to exclude the general population to public pools is quite sad and pathetic. From long wait times to mandatory padlocks, it’s ridiculous. I think this also raises a question of what is appropriate swimwear because what if I wanted to wear a speedo? I believe the ranger name was Parlo or Pahklo. He was extremely unreasonable and he clearly needed some sunscreen and the stick...

I had an incredibly disappointing experience at this swimming pool. The facility itself is quite small, with a cramped area for kids that forces parents out every time they need to assist their children. The policy of not allowing strollers is a major inconvenience, especially for parents with toddlers who are left vulnerable outside. The staff's demeanor is far from welcoming; they seem to have an attitude and lack friendliness.

The locker rooms are in dire need of an update – old and with rusty lockers that emit an unpleasant odor of bleach. The overall cleanliness of the place leaves much to be desired, and the presence of cracks in the floor poses a serious safety hazard for children's toes.

All in all, I cannot recommend this swimming pool to anyone. The combination of a cramped space, unwelcoming staff, outdated facilities, and potential safety risks make it an unfortunate choice for a day...