City of Boston outdoor pools opening on Wednesday, July 22

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston's two outdoor pools, the BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the BCYF Mirabella Pool in the North End, will be opening to City of Boston residents tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22. They will operate seven days a week through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The 16 indoor pools operated by Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) are open only for participating youth attending in-person summer programming at this time. 

"As we experience hotter days in the City of Boston, it's important residents can access cooling options in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh. "Our staff has worked tirelessly to develop plans to reopen our community centers and pools in a way that is safe and prevents the further spread of COVID-19 in our city. I encourage residents to take advantage of these options and continue to take all the precautions: wearing face coverings when out, keeping your distance from others, and washing your hands." 

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are several new protocols in place at BCYF outdoor pools: 

• Visitors must register for a swim time slot at Boston.gov/BCYF-Summer as walk-ins will not be allowed. Due to current regulations, pool capacity has been reduced to less than 40 percent capacity, 75 people per session.
• Registration will go live 24 hours before the following day's sessions and will remain open until all spots are taken or until the session is half over, whichever comes first. Registration is now open. 
• When registering for a session, visitors will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. The screening questions will be asked again when checking to the pool for the registered session.
• Sessions will be 90 minutes and visitors are asked to register for and attend one session per day. If visitors register for more than one session per day, BCYF reserves the right to cancel their registration if there is a waitlist of individuals looking to attend. 
• Cleaning and disinfecting will occur at opening and closing, and between each swim session.
• Visitors must come dressed to swim as locker rooms/changing areas will be closed. Restrooms (if access is required) can be accessed through a locker room, but visitors cannot use the lockers or changing area.
• Face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) must be worn at all times when not in the water.
• Swimming lessons, which would require close physical contact, will not be offered.
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required for all individuals outside of a household group and applies to deck areas, bathrooms, wading areas, the water and the pool deck.
• Children under 8 need an adult in the water with them. 
• Three children under 12 are allowed per adult. 

This past Sunday and Monday, 20 Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers were open to the public as cooling centers due to the declared Heat Emergency in the City of Boston. All cooling center visitors were screened before entry and were required to wear a face covering (covering both the nose and mouth) and maintain 6 feet of distance from others. Occupancy was monitored to ensure it didn't exceed 40 percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy and the spaces were cleaned and disinfected hourly.

BCYF is also operating virtual and in-person programming for registered youth at community centers across the city. These programs are in addition to a variety of expanded BCYF programming for teens and over 600 youth jobs through the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program. BCYF community centers will also continue to distribute meals to youth throughout the summer. 

ABOUT BOSTON CENTERS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston's largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 36 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees citywide programs including the nationally-recognized violence intervention and prevention SOAR Program (formerly Streetworker Program), the GIRLS Initiative, Camp Joy special needs program, and many aquatic offerings.