You’re walking through Gowanus, and the smell hits you. Not that Gowanus smell—the one people joke about with the canal—but the sharp, nostalgic scent of chlorine. It’s coming from the Douglas and DeGraw Pool, known to basically everyone in Brooklyn as the "Double D."
If you’ve never been, it feels like a secret, even though it’s a massive public facility. Tucked into the Thomas Greene Playground between 3rd Avenue and Nevins Street, this pool is a legitimate oasis in a neighborhood that’s still half-industrial grit and half-luxury-condo-boom.
People have a lot of weird ideas about NYC public pools. They think they’re all chaotic or, honestly, kind of gross. But the Double D is a different beast entirely.
The Reality of the Double D Vibe
Is it a five-star hotel pool? No. Obviously. You aren't getting a frozen margarita delivered to your lounge chair by a guy in a linen shirt.
What you are getting is one of the cleanest, most community-focused spots in the city. The staff here—bless them—are incredibly strict. Some people say it feels a bit like signing up for the army when you walk through the gates. You have to have a proper swimsuit. If you're wearing a shirt on the deck, it better be plain white. No colors. No logos.
And the "no electronics" rule is a total game-changer.
Imagine a place in 2026 where nobody is taking selfies. Nobody is recording a TikTok in the shallow end. It’s just people swimming, kids splashing, and neighbors actually talking to each other. It’s weirdly refreshing. You’ve got two dedicated lap lanes if you’re trying to actually get a workout in, and the rest of the 75-foot by 60-foot intermediate pool is for lounging.
Why This Pool Almost Vanished
It’s easy to forget that we almost lost this place. Back in 2010 and 2011, the city tried to shut it down to save money. They claimed nobody was using it.
They were wrong.
The neighborhood went absolutely nuclear. Rallies, Facebook groups, and local politicians all piled on until the city realized that the Douglas and DeGraw Pool was the heartbeat of Gowanus. It’s one of the few places where the old-school Brooklyn families and the new arrivals actually mix.
More recently, the pool got a major facelift under the "Cool Pools NYC" initiative. They added bright murals, better seating, and more shade. It transformed from a concrete rectangle into something that actually feels like a summer destination.
What You Actually Need to Know Before Going
Don't just show up with a towel and hope for the best. You will be turned away. NYC Parks dept doesn't play around.
- The Lock Situation: You MUST bring a sturdy combination lock. Not a wimpy little luggage lock. A real one. They will check it at the gate. If you don't have one, you aren't getting in.
- The Bag Rule: You can't bring bags onto the pool deck. Everything goes in the locker. You carry your towel and your book. That's it.
- The "Cleaning Break": Every day between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, they clear the water. Everyone out. It’s a good time to go grab a snack nearby, but don't be surprised when the whistle blows.
- The Food: No food on the deck. However, they often have free lunches for kids under 18, which is a massive help for families spending the whole day there.
Is the Water Safe?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the Gowanus Canal is right there.
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There’s a common misconception that the pool is somehow connected to the canal water. It isn't. Not even close. The Douglas and DeGraw Pool uses city tap water, heavily filtered and chlorinated. In fact, the water quality at NYC public pools is often monitored more strictly than private clubs.
The pool sits on land that was once part of a manufactured gas plant, which is why there’s been so much talk about environmental remediation in the park. But the pool itself is a self-contained vessel. You aren't swimming in the canal; you’re swimming in a well-maintained, Olympic-standard (okay, intermediate-standard) facility.
How to Beat the Crowd
If you show up at 1:00 PM on a Saturday in July, you’re going to wait in a line that wraps around the block. It’s brutal.
The pro move? Go for the early morning lap swim or wait until after the 4:00 PM reset. The "Double D" tends to quiet down a bit during the midday hours on weekdays when the local day camps head home.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. If there’s even a hint of a grey cloud, the crowds thin out, but the pool stays open unless there's actual lightning. Some of the best swims happen right before a summer drizzle.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Check the status: Always check the NYC Parks website or their Twitter (X) before heading out. They sometimes close for maintenance or heat-related issues.
- Pack the essentials: A plain white t-shirt for sun protection, a Master Lock combination lock, and a paperback book. Leave the Kindle at home.
- Wear your suit: Change before you go if you can, though there are locker rooms. It just makes the process faster.
- Explore the neighborhood: Since you can't eat at the pool, plan to hit up one of the spots on 3rd Ave or Union St afterward. There’s some of the city's best BBQ and ice cream within a five-minute walk.
Stop thinking about it and just go. It's free, it's iconic, and it's the only way to survive a Brooklyn August without losing your mind.