We want to make Prospect Park Lake swimmable
New York City is surrounded by water, yet there isn't a single freshwater lake or pond where the public can safely swim. Prospect Swims is an emerging community initiative exploring whether part of Prospect Park Lake could one day support managed, safe freshwater swimming.
The lake is a 60 acre artificial water body that currently faces significant challenges, including seasonal harmful algal blooms, complex hydrology, and elevated bacteria levels. However, its centrality in Brooklyn and ecological potential create an unusual opportunity. Our immediate aim is to outline feasible pathways to clarify what is technically possible, what the constraints are, and what is required for any future decision making.
In a city with deep disparities in swimming skills and access, and growing climate risks from extreme heat, creating a safe freshwater swimming resource would provide an inclusive, free way to cool down, support youth development, and improve community wellbeing.
Learn more
What We Have Been Up To
Testing Kicks Off
Our water quality monitoring program is officially underway for the summer season. Check back soon for updates.
Brooklyn College Partnership
We are absolutely thrilled to announce a new partnership with Brooklyn College focused on our water quality testing program.
Our Guiding Principles
1
Ask with Rigor and Imagination. We believe exploring a swimmable Prospect Park Lake requires a balance of discipline and creativity. A lake currently struggling with water quality could become a model for urban freshwater restoration that serves multiple generations.
2
Center the Community and the Evidence. Success means being clear about costs, risks, and tradeoffs. It means engaging the community to shape the vision and being willing to conclude that swimming is not viable if the evidence points that way.
3
Prioritize Access and Resilience. A swimmable lake must serve the people who need it most. This means focusing on communities that lack access to safe swimming and those most vulnerable to climate risks like extreme heat. Any future swimming space must be culturally responsive to the breadth of neighborhoods surrounding the park.
Get Involved
We are actively seeking partnerships with design and engineering firms, university research programs, and individual experts who can contribute time and expertise to this preliminary feasibility phase.
To volunteer, support our work, or learn more, reach out to Idan Sasson at ProspectSwims@gmail.com with your expertise, capacity for engagement, and any questions.