The City has allocated a significant budget of $54.5 million for the years 2025 to 2029 to revitalize Boston’s public pools, many of which date back to the 1970s. Leading the initiative are the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) and the Public Facilities Department. This investment underscores the City’s dedication to fulfilling PLAN: Mattapan’s vision for affordable recreational resources, addressing heat resilience as highlighted in PLAN: East Boston, and promoting active, healthy lifestyles as emphasized in PLAN: Charlestown. Residents may have already seen updates on the progression of these public pool renovations through interactive reports linked to PLAN: Charlestown, PLAN: East Boston, and PLAN: Mattapan.
The BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown has undergone extensive renovations, which are now complete. With the official reopening in July 2024, residents are already enjoying the enhanced facilities. The renovated competition-certified lap pool has been praised by community members, including the Friends of Clougherty Pool group, which emerged during the renovation process to boost support for this cherished local asset. Their feedback reflects satisfaction with the pool’s clean design and high-quality materials.
Accessibility has been significantly improved as both pools at Clougherty are now ramp-accessible. The updated bathhouse features an elevator and locker rooms designed to accommodate all Bostonians, ensuring everyone can enjoy the benefits of swimming. The Clougherty Pool has regained its status as a vibrant community hub in Charlestown.
Meanwhile, in Mattapan, the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center Pool has welcomed back visitors following four years of construction, with a grand reopening in spring 2024. Earl Foulk, a long-time Mattapan resident, expressed his amazement at the transformation, describing the community center as “a whole new world.” The revitalized center now boasts improvements across the pool, gymnasium, and even features an auditorium for community performances alongside a teen room equipped with a music recording studio.
Foulk proudly shared his family’s interactions with the center’s facilities across generations, highlighting the pride in local advocacy that led to these improvements. The center’s indoor pool now hosts an array of daily activities, including a youth swim club, water aerobics sessions, and adaptive swim hours, providing opportunities for everyone to participate. Additionally, they offer lifeguard training for young swimmers aged 15-24, giving them a chance to gain summer employment.
The BCYF Paris Street Pool in East Boston has also seen transformative renovations, which were completed in July 2023. Local mother and community member Deborah Curela noted the pool’s reopening was a much-anticipated event after the challenges faced during the COVID years. She emphasized the significance of the pool’s availability for the community, stating, “It’s a cool spot,” and mentioned her family’s regular visits, often occurring weekly.
Improvements at the Paris Street Pool include upgraded heating, ventilation, and filtration systems to ensure a comfortable swimming environment, further enhancing the experience for local residents. As with all BCYF facilities, the Paris Street Pool offers free aquatic programs for Boston residents. Both adults and teens can participate in swim lessons or rigorous water fitness classes led by skilled instructors—all free of charge.
The inclusive atmosphere of the Paris Street Pool draws a diverse group, from teens from a local high school to older adults from nearby Lyman apartments, creating a lively communal spirit. Curela expressed her hope that BCYF Paris Street will expand its offerings to include adaptive swim hours for individuals with disabilities, thereby enhancing accessibility for the broader community.
These renovations at Clougherty, Mattahunt, and Paris Street pools exemplify Boston’s commitment to investing in public recreational spaces and community infrastructure over the years. For those wishing to learn about other investments in their neighborhoods, they can explore the Storymaps developed for PLAN: Charlestown, PLAN: Mattapan, and PLAN: East Boston. Enhancing and maintaining public pools ensures all Bostonians can safely enjoy the pleasures of summer swimming.
The Mayor has also recently expanded the SwimSafe program, originally launched in 2023, which provides free swim lessons to youth in Boston. Over the past two years, SwimSafe has successfully taught more than 8,000 children essential swimming skills, equipping them to enjoy summer activities safely.
As the warm summer months continue, here are a few tips for keeping cool:
– Take advantage of the Mass Save Community First Partnership to save on your air conditioning bills.
– In the event of a Heat Emergency, visit any of the BCYF Cooling Centers to find comfort away from the sun.
– Access the complete guide for Keeping Cool in Boston to explore more options.
Images credit: City of Boston
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