Governor Hochul Unveils Fourth Proposal of 2024 State of the State: ‘NY SWIMS’ — the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming
• NY SWIMS Will Dramatically Expand Access to Safe Swimming, Addressing Equity Gaps with Recreational Opportunities & Providing Resources for Communities Facing Extreme Heat
• NY SWIMS Will Build Out New Municipal Pools Across the State, Activate Natural Waterways, Deploy Mobile Pools to Areas Prone to Extreme Heat, and Launch Historic Investments in New York State’s Parks System
• New York State and New York City will Partner on Floating a First-of-Its-Kind +Pool in City Waters
• New York will Increase the Number of Parks, Pools and Beaches that Offer Swimming Instruction, Train and Recruit New Lifeguards
• Drowning is the Leading Cause of Death Nationwide for Children Ages 1-4 According to CDC Statistics
Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled NY SWIMS: the New York Statewide Investment In More Swimming, the fourth proposal of her 2024 State of the State. Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, NY SWIMS will build out municipal pools in high-need areas, connect New Yorkers to the State’s rivers and lakes, deploy pools in urban environments, and invest in State parks and pools. It will also promote initiatives to help more New Yorkers swim safely by addressing the statewide lifeguard shortage, increasing swimming instruction, and increasing amenities at pools and beaches.
“Access to swimming isn’t just about recreation – it’s about public health and climate resiliency,” Governor Hochul said. “NY SWIMS will be the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal, expanding access for underserved communities and improving safety for kids across New York.”