Douglass and DeGraw Pool — Local services in New York

I am a day care provider and have been taking the children and my own child to Douglas and Degraw Pool, for the past 18 years. Their rules are very strict, but I can relate. Some of the staff are nice, but there was a staff member there yesterday who was very unprofessional and disorderly.

I was unable to access my locker because there were some senior citizens getting dressed directly in front of them. I had to wait until they finished. I was getting dressed and dressing the kids and the staff member who is very dark in complexion came in the locker room and repeatedly said, "It's my lunch break and I need to go to lunch. You are taking too long. You are ruining my lunch break." I told her that we heard her and we were moving as fast as we could. I said, we couldn't take the kids outside naked. She went on complaining. At this point my daughter said, "alright." The worker made another comment and I ignored her.

While leaving, I went out first. When my daughter came out, I heard her call my daughter "ugly" and they began arguing. She insisted that my daughter said something to her, when my daughter exited. I went back in and she asked the other staff if my daughter had said something to her and they never responded.

I asked for her name, so I could report her. No one wanted to volunteer the information. The very dark skinned employee with the kelly green shirt, went on to say that my daughter and I were playing with her because she had on a green shirt. This took place while she walked with a supervisor and a security guard to their suburban.

A visit to this pool is comparable to a visit to a correctional facility. Some of the staff, mostly the women, are obessesed with power. They are rude and lack professionalism.

The small upgrade to the pool area is nice, however, they are in dire need of new lockers; most are broken.

Last year, I refused to use the children's pool, it reeked of urine.

Before the shower water was extremely cold; now it can get extremely hot. You have to...

This is one of thee worse public pools I’ve attended. I decided to take my daughter on a hot sunny day, upon me entering the facility, the NYC Parks worker “much older, African American lady with the Olive green uniform ” stressed that I couldn’t take my daughters little back pack on the deck which only contained a cellphone, keys , debit / credit cards and our towel. That I must secure it within the locker. I didn’t bring my lock because the bag was so small. She debated that I couldn’t go one the deck with the bag, and because I didn’t want to go all the way back home to get the lock - she offered me her spare lock. I was hesitant, at first but I accepted the lock. Inquiring on my property being safe, she stated “no worries, I’m the only person who have the extra key you will be fine”. I proceeded to the locker room, placing my property within the locker. Heading to the pool deck. I let my daughter play , swim & run wild for about 2 hours or so. Upon me returning to the locker , all my belongings was GONEEEEEEEEE. Only thing left behind was our clothing. A NYC Parks & Pool worker provided me a lock and all my belongings went missing??? A police report was filed on site , and a investigation was in put in place. They steal , and will rob you of your belongings. If you visit this public pool, go with a heavy duty secure lock. Giving this pool 1 star is a...

A nice pool. Often without huge crowds. However, be prepared to be treated as a convict. From the moment you approach the front gate you are met by a woman who will treat you like a prison guard, talking down to you like you are a peon. Rules! Rules! Lots of rules! Feeling into your shorts for a mesh liner...prisoner-fashion. And if you pass that test you must also wear a white, completely white t-shirt if you plan on just supervising and not swimming. My friends sitter was barred from entering for her blue shirt AND blue shorts! The website specifies that only T-shirts must be white! Once you pass those tests you are required to rinse off communally in a freezing cold shower before entering the pool. Nice! Once you pass that test you are admitted to the pool which is very nice. Hungry, thirsty? No food, no drink, no cell phone. What, you didn't bring your own padlock? Sorry, we can't help you... Get the picture? The place is great except that it's antiquated and awful. Come prepared and you can make it work, make a mistake and you will be summarily denied entrance. Desperate need to update these conditions. Come on NYC,...