« Friday Links DoBro Redevelopment Not So Great for Everyone »

August 1, 2008

Draining the Pool of its Party

mccarren-park-pool-07-2008.jpg
The Times has a sort of elegy for McCarren Park Pool, which will probably stop hosting its "Pool Party" events after this summer as the city readies a $50 million renovation of the property that will turn it back into a swimming pool:

...Perhaps no other concert space so clearly illustrates the swift effects of gentrification. Just as bohemian culture in Greenpoint and Williamsburg is having its most visible, celebratory moment, it is being bulldozed out of the neighborhood. Rows of gleaming luxury condominiums have sprung up alongside the park, and the tattoo-and-skinny-jeans set is getting priced out. That McCarren Pool will be filled with water again has pleased many longtime residents and activists. But at several recent concerts the prevailing opinion was: bummer.

The quotes from concert attendees on the one hand and longtime Williamsburg/Greenpoint residents on the other underscore the competing desires for how the space should be used. “They let it rot for years and years, and now all of a sudden they’re like, ‘It’s viable to turn it into a pool again,’ ” says Liz Castaldo, a 23-year-old who lived in Williamsburg until a rent hike precipitated a move to Bushwick. In the other camp are people like Phyllis Yampolsky, founder of the McCarren Park Conservancy and a Greenpoint resident since 1982. “The basic need of that pool is as a pool and recreation center for all the peoples of North Brooklyn, which includes a lot of black people and a lot of Latino people,” says Yampolsky. “Its basic needs are not for the fashionistas of Williamsburg.”
It’s Been Quite a Pool Party, but the Days Grow Short [NY Times]
Photo by sjr7658.




Posted by Gabby at 9:00 AM | Comments (22)

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/5730

Comments

Maybe they can do concerts while all the people swim. There;s always a solution!

Posted by: superstooper at August 1, 2008 9:07 AM

Yampolsky's statement was divisive and dumbass. That said, I'm all for re-opening the pool. If they can get it to the level of the Astoria pool it will be a huge success with the locals.

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 9:17 AM

Believe me, the people who hang out that the McCarren Park pool shows these days are not the type of people that gave Williamsburg/Greenpoint it's bohemian name. In fact they are the exact opposite.

Posted by: werner at August 1, 2008 9:57 AM

i've enjoyed the shows the last couple years, but now it's time to turn it back into a pool. the shows were fun and a great temporary use of the space, but an actual pool will be of greater benefit to the wider part of the community (skinny jeans set included). the real shame in the situation is that the pool wasn't re-opened as a pool sooner. congrats jelly NYC for their efforts and for taking the pool party brand on the road.

Posted by: janelle at August 1, 2008 9:57 AM

So is Yampolsky saying black people don't like music, or that hipsters can't swim?

I'm very confused.

Posted by: deadnancy at August 1, 2008 10:15 AM

people may be bummed out but there isn't any organized opposition to the return-to-pool effort. i guess the JellyNYC guy was sort of hoping for a groundswell but even he doesn't seem that surprised. the brief concert period will be fondly remembered, that's probably for the best all around.

Posted by: Jimmy Legs at August 1, 2008 10:33 AM

I think the Hipster/Douchebag love affair has run it's course....

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 10:57 AM

Deadnancy, my thoughts exactly.

It seems this will be a fantastic space once turned back into a pool. I love pools. Even the orange-y tiled basement pool in the Dyker Heights "mansion" from Wednesday.

Posted by: Nokilissa at August 1, 2008 11:08 AM

Nokilissa, you little instigator, you.

With apologies to anyone who just ate, I wonder if Marty will show up in a speedo and bathing cap to cut the ribbon on the new pool.

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 11:16 AM

Biff,

Sweet mother of jeebus -

I hope he remembers his waterwings.

Posted by: superstooper at August 1, 2008 11:33 AM

He's got built-in water wings. The lipid-based ones.

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 11:41 AM

A public pool can cater to anyone in a community, the shows were definately catering to the Bedford ave transplant set. I applaud Jelly for what they did, however there were very few shows i cared enough to go to, and thats not to say I or Jelly have bad taste in music, a pool is gonna be better off for the community, and appeal to a wider range of people. Think of what the floating pool did last year off Bklyn Heights, it was more more of a multicultural happening than the Mcarren pool shows.

Posted by: lifer at August 1, 2008 12:41 PM

Now THAT is a sight I can wrap my arms around. Mister Marty in goggles, a speedo and waterwings.

Instigating with mention of mansion? or with ex parte comment to Dave?

Posted by: Nokilissa at August 1, 2008 12:50 PM

Nokilissa, I meant with respect to the mention of the "mansion". Please remember to continue to use the quotes whenever referring to it, as you did in your first post.

I'm wondering what Marty's dive of choice is; are you thinking belly flop (with arms and legs fully extended, of course) or cannon ball?

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 12:57 PM

I'm soooo glad the music events will end (movie nights are fine). I could hear the music from BLOCKS away. Won't miss it at all.

Much prefer an actual pool.

Posted by: Spunky123 at August 1, 2008 1:14 PM

Definitely belly flop. You should make the most of what you have.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 1, 2008 1:36 PM

bxgrl, in that event, look for the follow-up to this story down the road entitled "Draining the Pool of its Water".

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 1:53 PM

Interesting. The whole premise of the concert series in the first place was to generate interest and funding for the pool's restoration.

Posted by: MotoGP at August 1, 2008 2:17 PM

well, there are also lots of children of white people too in the area. a growing demographic - exponentially in fact by the looks of it.

i do feel for the current owners around the pool who have been subjected to loud music and crowds whether or not they were in the mood for it although most of the acts playing there have been very good. there is talk of moving the shows to the bushwick inlet park if/when it is completed. that sounds better actually because it'll be on the waterfront and less disruptive.

on the whole, this renovation along with the waterfront renovation is very exciting for those who have invested and plan to stay in the neighborhood. the park in general has just been getting better and better. The new trees are wonderful, the greengrocer market is fabulous and the playground is full of children. Also, anyone who is a jogger probably loves the track as much as I do. jogging there while the amazing soccer games are being played is very cool.

Posted by: wine lover at August 1, 2008 2:28 PM

Good points. I think the park is fabulous too, and desparately needs a facelift of the pool area east of Lorimer, which is full of overgrown weeds and fences. Its funny how it feels like most of the support for an ongoing concert space at the pool is coming from those who travel into GP to experience the shows and from those who are running the shows and making money. fact is, the park is a 7 day a week operation year round, not just 8 sundays a summer. I recall seeing a skating rink on the plans from a few months ago- I think thats a great solution for off-season usage.

Posted by: MotoGP at August 1, 2008 3:06 PM

Pool / ice skating rink right?

I must admit I was very disappointed when i heard they were taking away all the concerts, free parties, movie nights etc. Most of these events are very popular and well attended, even sold out which is weird because it is a large, outdoor venue.

I don't go swimming in pools and i don't ice skate so it doesn't interest me all that much.

Posted by: 11211 at August 1, 2008 3:12 PM

I hate to interupt, but does anyone know where I can meet the hot shirtless dude in the bottom right of the picture?

Posted by: 2ndStopBoy at August 8, 2008 12:59 AM

Post a comment

Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.

Latest Restaurant Additions