If you’ve walked past the corner of Clarkson Street and Seventh Avenue South lately, you’ve probably seen the scaffolding. It’s been there for years. The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center outdoor pool, once the crown jewel of West Village summers, looks more like a construction site than a community hub.
It’s heartbreaking, honestly.
This isn't just a place to do laps. For locals, "the Dapolito" (or Carmine Street Pool, if you're old school) represents a century of neighborhood history. It’s where generations of kids learned to tread water under the watchful eye of a massive, 1987 Keith Haring mural.
But as of January 2026, the gates are still locked.
The Real Reason the Pool is Drained
People keep asking: "When is it opening?" The short answer is: not anytime soon. The long answer is a mess of structural engineering and city politics.
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Basically, the main building is falling apart. We're talking about serious structural integrity issues that were first flagged back in 2019. Because the outdoor pool relies on the recreation center's infrastructure to operate—think locker rooms, filtration systems, and staffing—it can't legally or safely open while the building is considered a hazard.
The City has dumped millions into "stabilizing" the site, but that’s just fancy talk for keeping the roof from caving in. It hasn't actually fixed the problem.
What’s Actually Happening with the $164 Million Plan?
Last year, former Mayor Adams announced a massive $164 million investment to "transform" the Clarkson Street corridor. This sounds great on paper, but it’s been a huge point of contention for the South Village community.
Here is what the current plan looks like:
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- Demolition: The city wants to tear down most of the landmarked 1908 building.
- The New Pool: A brand-new, fully accessible outdoor pool and pool house would be built on the current site.
- The Haring Mural: This is the non-negotiable part. The plan promises to preserve the Keith Haring mural in situ.
- The "Hudson Mosaic": A new recreation center (with an indoor pool) is slated for 388 Hudson Street as part of a mixed-use development with affordable housing.
Local preservationists, led by groups like Village Preservation, aren't exactly thrilled. They argue that the city "neglected" the building into its current state to justify a teardown. They’ve been pushing the new administration under Mayor Mamdani to pivot from demolition to a full restoration.
The Keith Haring Mural: A Survivor
If there is one thing everyone agrees on, it's that the mural stays. Keith Haring painted this vibrant, dancing figure mural over the course of a single day in 1987. It’s one of the few public works of his that remains in its original location.
Even if the locker rooms get leveled, the wall holding that art is supposed to remain standing. It’s a weird visual to imagine: a historic mural standing alone in a field of rubble, but that’s the current "preservation" strategy.
Where Can You Swim Instead?
Since the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center outdoor pool is out of commission for the foreseeable future, you've got to find other lanes. NYC Parks memberships are citywide, so your keycard still works elsewhere.
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- Chelsea Recreation Center: It’s the closest indoor option. It’s modern, clean, but—fair warning—it gets packed.
- Hamilton Fish (LES): If you want that classic NYC outdoor pool vibe, this is your best bet during the summer months.
- Gertrude Ederle: Located on 60th Street, it’s a bit of a trek from the Village, but the facility is solid.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Membership
You might see some old "pulsd" deals or outdated Yelp reviews saying you can just walk in for $10. That's not how it works anymore.
To use any NYC indoor pool, you need a full Recreation Center membership. For adults (25-61), it's usually around $150 a year. For seniors and "young adults" (18-24), it’s significantly cheaper, often $25. But remember: buying a membership today won't get you into Dapolito. It just gets you into the other city-run spots while we wait for the dust to settle on Clarkson Street.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
The fight for the Dapolito is at a crossroads. With the change in city leadership, there's a slim chance the demolition plan could be scaled back in favor of "adaptive reuse." However, the structural damage to the original 1908 bathhouse is extensive.
Honestly, the "best-case scenario" involves several more years of construction. We likely won't see anyone diving into a pool at this location until at least 2028 or 2029, depending on how fast the RFP process for 388 Hudson Street moves.
Actionable Steps for Locals:
- Check the NYC Parks Capital Project Tracker for monthly updates on "M103" (the internal code for Dapolito).
- If you care about the historic preservation of the building, keep an eye on Community Board 2 meeting agendas; that’s where the real shouting happens.
- Don't let your membership lapse if you use other city pools, but definitely don't head to Clarkson Street expecting to find a locker.
The Dapolito isn't dead, but it’s definitely in a deep sleep. For now, we're just left with the mural and the memories of those freezing cold 11:00 a.m. summer starts.