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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 136-03
May 21, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSIONER ADRIAN BENEPE KICK OFF NEW YORK CITY BEACH SEASON

Mayor Swears in 5 New York City Lifeguards

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today announced the opening of all New York City beaches at a kick-off event on the boardwalk of Coney Island in Brooklyn.  All beaches will open on Saturday, May 24, 2003, and all outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 28, 2003.  The Mayor and Commissioner also presided over a swearing-in ceremony for lifeguards who will serve at City beaches and announced the start of Beach Bus service to Coney Island for the summer.  Today’s celebration also marked the 80th anniversary of the Coney Island Boardwalk and the 100th anniversary of Luna Park. 

“After a long, tough winter, I am happy to announce that New York City’s beaches will open this weekend,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “Our 14 miles of beaches offer all New Yorkers a free and fun way to cool down and enjoy themselves during the hot summer months.  And thanks to lifeguards from around the City and around the world, all of the City’s beaches and pools will be open throughout the upcoming summer.”  

“The City’s beaches are ready for the summer season,” Commissioner Benepe said. “As a matter of public safety, we remind beach-goers to observe all beach rules and regulations, and especially to never swim when there is not a lifeguard on duty.”

The Department of Parks & Recreation conducts an extensive lifeguard recruitment campaign, which includes international recruitment, visiting public schools, distributing literature, and making public service announcements.  The City is currently working with several international lifeguard recruiting service organizations to select and screen international candidates.  International lifeguards, from countries including Poland and the Netherlands, will reside at the local YMCA.  An expected 50 foreign lifeguards will patrol City beaches and pools this summer.  The City is seeking to place 1,100 total lifeguards at beaches and pools throughout the five boroughs.

The City decided to continue recruiting international lifeguards due to the success of last year’s program.  Last summer, for the first time in the City’s history, 37 lifeguards from around the globe patrolled the City’s beaches and pools.  These lifeguards, who arrived from the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Poland Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia, along with local recruits, helped protect over ten million people who visited City beaches and pools last year.

Candidates for lifeguard positions must be 16 years or older, swim 50 yards in 35 seconds, and complete 40 hours of training, including CPR instruction. The Department of Parks & Recreation still has lifeguard openings, and potential applicants should call 311.

The City's beaches, which span 14 miles, will officially open this Saturday, and will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  City beaches include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach in Staten Island.  Swimming is prohibited when beaches are closed.

Mayor Bloomberg also announced that beginning Memorial Day weekend, people may ride free MTA ‘F’ and ‘Q’ Beach Buses from nearby subway stations non-stop to Coney Island.  The extra service is being provided to enable beachgoers to visit Coney Island while rehabilitation work continues at several local subway stations.  The free Beach Buses will operate between the last stops on the ‘F’ and ‘Q’ subway lines and a temporary beach terminal located on Surf Avenue at West 8th Street near the Cyclone.  The special buses will run Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through the weekend after Labor Day.  Passengers may board the ‘F’ Beach Bus at the Avenue X station and the ‘Q’ Beach Bus at the Sheepshead Bay station.  In addition to the Beach Buses, there will be more frequent weekend service on the ‘W’ subway line, which will offer the only subway service to Coney Island while rehabilitation work continues at the several local subway stations, as well as increased weekend and weekday ‘F’ shuttle service, and B1 and B68 bus service.

The City’s 52 outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 28, 2003. Both City beaches and pools are free to the public and will be open through Labor Day, September 1, 2003.





CONTACT:

Edward Skyler / Jerry Russo   (212) 788-2958

Megan Sheekey   (Parks & Recreation)
(212) 360-1311


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