After a four-year hiatus, swimming has officially returned to the heart of Manhattan with the opening of the Gottesman Pool, a sprawling public pool at the north end of Central Park. Located within the newly constructed Shirley Chisholm Recreation and Davis Center, the pool opened to the public on June 27, immediately drawing thousands of New Yorkers eager to cool off—and generating as much buzz for its architectural beauty as for the overwhelming crowds and a viral TikTok video that has since taken on a life of its own.
The Gottesman Pool replaces the old Lasker Rink and Pool, which closed in 2021 after decades of use and growing disrepair. The new pool is part of a $160 million renovation project led by the Central Park Conservancy, with support from public funding and a significant $50 million donation from philanthropist David Gottesman’s family. The revamped space features not only a massive outdoor pool, but also community spaces, classrooms, and year-round recreational facilities.
A Pool Designed for the People
The centerpiece of the new Davis Center is the pool itself—a 285-by-120-foot oval basin, which makes it larger than an Olympic-sized pool. With capacity for up to 1,000 swimmers, the Gottesman Pool was designed to handle New York’s summer surge. Its modern look and eco-conscious features, including a green roof and glass walls that blend into the surrounding Harlem Meer landscape, reflect the city’s growing emphasis on sustainable urban design.
“This project is about more than swimming,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s about restoring access to nature, creating year-round recreational opportunities, and honoring the original vision of Central Park as a place for all New Yorkers.”
In the winter, the pool area will be converted into an ice rink, continuing a longstanding Central Park tradition while improving access and aesthetics.
Demand Dwarfs Expectations
Opening weekend drew an immediate and overwhelming response. Crowds lined up early, with reports of wait times stretching as long as three hours. Visitors hoping to secure a spot in the pool were met with long lines, minimal shade, and a palpable sense of anticipation—and, in some cases, frustration.
Social media posts showed tightly packed queues wrapping around the park’s northern edge. While some residents applauded the pool’s return and praised the upgraded amenities, others expressed concern over how the city planned to manage crowd control moving forward.
City officials have so far declined to implement a reservation system, relying instead on a first-come, first-served model. The facility is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a mandatory closure between 3 and 4 p.m. for cleaning.
Viral TikTok Video Sparks Laughter—and Headlines
Not long after the pool’s debut, a video posted by TikTok creator David Voice went viral, casting an unexpected spotlight on the Gottesman Pool. In the video, which quickly racked up millions of views, Voice expresses his disbelief and informs viewers:
“They are pooping in the pool. Adults. Adults are pooping in the pool… This is why we can’t have nice things.”
Though meant as a satirical exaggeration that New Yorkers in general don’t know how to treat nice public places, the video struck a nerve—and a funny bone. It sparked a wave of reaction videos, parody clips, and online commentary, effectively transforming the Central Park public pool into a meme-worthy phenomenon overnight.
While no official incidents matching the video’s claims have been reported, the NYC Parks Department reminded swimmers to follow posted rules, maintain hygiene, and treat the facility with respect.
From Lasker to Legacy: Restoring the Ravine
The Gottesman Pool also represents a significant ecological correction. The former Lasker facility, built in 1966, was notorious for blocking the natural watercourse that once flowed from the Loch to the Harlem Meer. The new Davis Center restores that flow, lifting the pool structure above the stream and allowing the water to move freely once again through the historic Ravine—one of Central Park’s most wooded and naturalistic areas.
The entire design team, led by Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture & Design and Mitchell Giurgola, aimed to not only bring back a community pool, but also repair the ecological and visual scars left by decades of poor planning.
The surrounding areas have been regraded and re-landscaped to improve accessibility. The new green roof on the Davis Center helps it visually disappear into the park’s landscape, while indoor spaces offer year-round community programming ranging from swim lessons to environmental education.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
Reactions among local residents have been mixed, with many thrilled about the return of a free, public swimming option in Upper Manhattan, and others voicing concern over what they perceive as logistical growing pains.
“I waited two and a half hours just to get in,” said one Harlem resident on opening weekend. “It’s beautiful, but they need to figure out how to manage the crowds better.”
Some suggested implementing timed entry or a digital reservation system. Others took a more philosophical stance, noting that public space in New York is always a shared, sometimes unpredictable experience.
Despite the crowding, many families expressed excitement about having a safe, fun, and cost-free option during the city’s increasingly hot summers. NYC Parks also confirmed that swimming classes and water safety instruction would be available by lottery at no cost, part of the city’s broader effort to increase aquatic literacy and reduce drowning risks.
A Summer Symbol of New York—Messy, Proud, and Full of Character
The reopening of the Central Park public pool is more than just a ribbon-cutting event—it’s a microcosm of life in the city itself. Crowded, colorful, flawed, and at times downright absurd, the Gottesman Pool has quickly become one of the summer’s most talked-about attractions.
City officials are hopeful that, with time, the novelty will fade, crowd control will improve, and the Davis Center will serve as a long-term hub for recreation, education, and community building.
In the meantime, those venturing out for a swim should bring their bathing suits, their patience—and can rest assured that they aren’t pooping in the Central Park Public Pool.
Featured Image: 22tomtom
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