Shaping The Future of Water Safety and Access: 2024 NYC Aquatics Symposium
Our second NYC Aquatics Symposium (Thursday, August 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders – from CBOs to city agencies and concerned citizens – to address the challenges facing our city's aquatic culture. Representatives from the New York City Council, the New York State Assembly, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYC Department of Education, and non-profit agencies are joining forces to discuss the future of swimming and water safety accessibility in our city. Join us for updates on how to enhance public access to these vital resources!
#NYCAquatics #WaterSafety #CommunityEngagement
LOCATION
St. Francis College, 179 Livingston Street, Downtown Brooklyn
Zoom Meeting ID: 895 1488 6879 (no password needed)
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89514886879
AGENDA / PRESENTERS
Welcome: Tim Cerece, President, St. Francis College
Keynote: Paulana Lamonier (Black People Will Swim)
Founder of Black People Will Swim, a purpose-driven organization working to smash the stereotype that Black people don’t swim. After learning to swim at CUNY York College, Paulana became inspired to teach others. For over a decade, she has shared her passion for swimming by working with swim clubs, teams, and gyms to build a community with her students.
Splash ball players at Brooklyn College. Photo: M. Randazzo
NYC Aquatic Updates
1) Summer swim in New York City: Erin Vega & Natalie Degante (NYC Parks)
While in college, where Erin minored in Early Childhood Education, Erin began working seasonally with Parks and quickly realized how much she enjoyed supporting youth through recreation. Erin became a full-time employee in 2004, working directly with youth in Parks’ Afterschool and Summer Camp programs. She supported youth in various capacities through these programs and others from 2011 to 2022. Now, as Deputy Chief of Recreation, Erin is working closely with NYC Parks’ Citywide Aquatics division, focusing on bringing swim programming to New Yorkers of all ages (tots through seniors).
Natalie started her career with NYC Parks in 2016 as an Aquatics Specialist, moved up to a Field Coordinator for Aquatics and has continued to grow in the agency. Currently Natalie manages the Movies Under the Stars program citywide and assists with programming and special events. As a former Division I swimmer at Long Island University, Natalie is passionate about teaching swimming to patrons, specifically those with special needs.
2) Swim for Life: Erin Vega & Natalie Degante (NYC Parks)
3) Lifeguards in New York: Bonnie Williams (NYC Parks)
Bonnie Williams Chief of Special Programs for the First Deputy Commissioner of NYC Parks, one of my major responsibilities is overseeing the Lifeguard division. Has been with NYC Parks for 30 years in various positions. Career stated as a lifeguard at the age of 15; has 20+ years in aquatics and is an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor.
5) Pools in Schools: NYC Department of Education: TBD
BREAK
NYC Public Officials Updates
- Council Member Julie Menin: Harry Gale
- CM Selvena Brooks-Powers: TBD
- CM Shekar Krishnan: Gregory Clark
Greg Clark is the Legislative and Budget Director for CM Shekar Krishnan, Chair of Parks Committee. He advises the member on legislation, budget and land use matters.
• The Wave Makers Program has kicked off across the city. We have completed swimming lessons in Jackson Heights for children, with many more lessons to come across the city. Appreciate the partnership between our office, CM Menin, Gray Foundation and swimming partners Asphalt Green, Commonpoint Queens and others.
• Water Safety Legislation: follows up on last year's water safety legislative package. Two bills (aquatics atlas + extending pool and beach hours + season) and two resolutions already introduced, two more bills to come, working with the speaker's office to push for more engagement from the council on this issue. Hearing coming this fall. Stay tuned for dates and further info.
- Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso - Donovan Swanson
- Queens Borough President Donovan - Michael Carlier
- Lifeguard Interagency Taskforce: Laurie Tamis & Sharon Levy
Citywide Lifeguard & Aquatics Taskforce was created to address the critical lifeguard shortage in NYC, co-chaired by Sharon Greenberger (YMCA President & CEO) and Dennis Walcott (President, Queens Public Library) and includes leadership from Parks, DOE, Dept of Health, American Red Cross, Commonpoint Queens, Asphalt Green, Rising Tide, Swim Strong, CUNY, UJA, and Children's Aid. The focus had broadened to increased access to swim and creation of a LG pipeline.
Swimmers at McCarren Park, Williamsburg. Photo: NYC Parks
BREAK
Myrtha Pool update: Jon Cleveland & Matthew McKay
Jon Cleveland - Regional Manager for Myrtha Pools, Certified Pool Operator, current Masters swimmer, former HS & Club Coach, former Aquatic Director, 3-time Olympian and Bronze Medalist. Specializes in the K-12 and municipal markets with a goal of educating on sustainable design & construction methods for new pool builds and renovations.
Matthew McKay covers the northeast for Myrtha Pools and North America for Myrtha Wellness. His goal: to build better swimming pools and user experiences for wellness. He transforms aging facilities into world-class experiences cost-effectively, offers innovative funding resources for new construction, focuses on total lifecycle costs. In addition, he considers the facility’s impact on the health of the users, the environment, the community.
Governor Hochul NY SWIMS update:
Updates on aquatic activity by NYC community-based organizations:
- Plus Pool: Nora Cronin
- Rising Tide Effect: Kate Krause
- Swim Strong Foundation: Shawn Slevin
With a 50 year background in aquatics, Slevin started Swim Strong Foundation in 2006 to reduce unintended drowning by teaching situational knowledge of water safety and swimming skill education. She is a passionate advocate for water safety and proud member of the Water Safety Coalition and Lifeguard Interagency Taskforce in NYC and internationally, a member of the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club.
- Commonpoint Queens: Sarah Decker
- Inclusive Community Wellness: Carl Quigley & Michael Randazzo
Brooklyn-born Rockaway resident, Quigley is a former NCAA D1 swimmer and water polo player at St. Francis College; Assistant Athletic & Aquatics Director at St Francis. Collegiate Water Polo Association and NCAA Water Polo Championship & Rules committees.
- Lexington School for the Deaf: Cindy S. Casson
Lexington School for the Deaf, a non-profit organization founded in 1864 and previously located at 904 Lexington Ave, relocated to East Elmhurst, Queens in 1968. The facility includes an indoor swimming pool used by the community and students until mechanical failures closed it in 2014.
- Musa Swim: Tracy Calderon
Conclusion
Action items for attendees to improve NYC’s aquatic culture
Organizer
Inclusive Community Wellness - Michael Randazzo: community.wellness.nyc@gmail.com / 917-605-5624
SPONSORS
Citizens Bank
KAP 7
Myrtha Pools
Pratt Institute
St. Francis College
Studio SC
USA Water Polo