We testified before the New York City Council in support of Bill 0962 and Bill 0760

On April 26th, our Managing Director, Kara Meyer, testified before the New York City Council in support of Bill 0962 and Bill 0760. The New York City Council and its various committees meet regularly to discuss topics that affect the everyday lives of New Yorkers. On this day, the Committee of Parks and Recreation discussed local laws to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to public swimming pool locations and swimming lessons offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to providing children 13 and younger with swimming lessons at no cost.

“Everyone should have access to lifesaving skills like swimming. My colleagues & I are ready to provide our communities with access to free swimming lessons…..that also means investing in our public pools & ensuring our pools and beaches are staffed at all times,” said New York City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez.

At the hearing, we spoke about our support for Bill 0962 and Bill 0760, our experiences working to provide access through + POOL, and how hard and expensive it is to find pools for our free learn to swim program.

Check out our written testimony below, which details our support of these bills. Or watch the full hearing! Our Managing Director, Kara Meyer, speaks at around the 1 hour 33 min mark.