Learn-to-Swim Flourishes in Brooklyn’s Midwood Neighborhood
Located on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn’s Midwood neighborhood, the Philip Howard Apartments (PHA) is situated at the heart of New York City’s largest borough. Built in 1964, its 20 story facade—curved around a fountain and circular car park—presents a stoic face to its neighbors. But hidden deep within this complex of 634 units is a fantastic resource, a veritable oasis amidst the city’s concrete and asphalt.
It’s a resource now playing a role in thwarting a devastating—and preventable—cause of death in New York City. Tucked inside the doors of the private cooperative is one of NYC’s best-maintained private swimming pools.
Otis Alves teach adults and children at PHA pool. Photo: M. Randazzo
The PHA pool, open from June through early September, is not accessible to the public. But thanks to a novel arrangement between the Philip Howard Apartments Tenants Corporation and Inclusive Community Wellness (ICW), a Brooklyn-based nonprofit, for two days a week in August, PHA will host free learn-to swim lessons for the Midwood community. Lessons to prevent future deaths due to drowning, of which the city has recently experienced far too many.
A program born out of tragedy
Swim instruction in Midwood is a hot topic this summer due to the untimely death of a local resident. Elyjha Chandler was a rising senior at Academy For College Preparation and Career Exploration, located in the Erasmus Hall Educational Campus. A personable 16 year old, two months ago Elyjha and his friend Christian Perkins drowned in rough surf at Jacob Riis Park. Joan Mosely, Principal at Academy For College Preparation and Career Exploration, responded to her student’s passing by lobbying for community learn-to-swim programs in the “E-Hall” pool as a way to prevent future drowning deaths.
The Erasmus program is planned for the fall, but with public pools and beaches open all over the city now, the need for water safety and swim instruction is immediate. ICW knew of PHA’s six-lane / 25 yard pool from free lifeguard training it held there a year ago—a situation arranged during off hours for the pool, which is owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of residents.
Philip Howard Apartments pool is an oasis in NYC. Photo: M. Randazzo
A lobbying campaign by ICW leadership resulted in a call two weeks ago from Don Roberts, board president for the complex’s tenant association. Despite restrictions on PHA’s pool, Roberts agreed to allow a free swim program to take place, open to PHA residents and their Midwood neighbors.
“Growing up in Rockaway Beach my parents took me and my siblings to the beach every summer,” said Roberts, an ideal collaborator on the project. “We understood the importance of how to swim and water safety.”
Crossing the threshold
Last Sunday Eto Otitigbe, who lives several minutes away from PHA, escorted sons Kanu (6) and Uzoma (4) past PSA security and down a long corridor to the back of the complex, where the pool glimmered in the bright summer sunlight.
“The pool area was clean, well-maintained and organized,” Eto wrote in an email. “Before the class started, I went in the water with both kids to get them acclimated… it was nice to have that option.”
Five instructors worked with Kanu, Uzoma and 15 other children on basic swim skills, with participants separated by skill.
“[S]ome kids worked in a group—like Kanu—and some had individual instruction—like Uzoma. Kanu would give me a thumbs up throughout the class, which meant he was having a good time.”
The program serves both adults and children. Elizabeth Isidor and her sons Javier (7) and Jayvion Fernandez (12) all got in the PHA pool for lessons.
“The experience my two boys and I had was great.” Elizabeth said. “The instructors took their time making sure we understood each technique before moving forward to the next step.
“I appreciate ICW for making this community-based program,” she continued. “Hopefully there will be more opportunities to help other people learn to swim.”
Lynn Rothman is a PHA resident who heard about the program and came to the pool to check it out. When she asked if there was room to participate, Otis Alves, ICW’s lead instructor, rearranged the group of ten adults—sharing pool space with ten children—to fit her in.
Rothman was ecstatic that she showed up. “I learned some new skills,” she said in an email response. “Otis is a fantastic instructor who is great with beginners.”
Asked about the program’s value to PHA residents, especially adults, Rothman was explicit about how swim skills can be a life-or-death proposition.
Afryea Prince teaching at PHA
Photo: M. Randazzo
“It's important to know how to swim at least well enough to prevent drowning in a pool—especially for children,” she said. “ Some people are deathly afraid to put their heads underwater; I'm not sure how they overcome that. But it's necessary if they find themselves in a life-threatening situation.”
Rothman hopes the program will allow additional enjoyment from a health-preserving exercise.
“I can sort of swim but really want to improve my breathing so I can relax and enjoy swimming. It's great exercise for elderly people like myself.”
It’s all about community
“The Philip Howard community is not like most communities,” Board President Roberts explained. “Even though it’s a large complex with roughly 2,500 people, we’re one big family. But we don’t want to sit as one big family in isolation on Flatbush Avenue.
“Once you walk out the door of the Philip Howard you’re in a larger community,“ he continued. “So it’s important for us to be sensitive and responsible for whatever part we can play in making that community better.”
An adult learn-to-swim class at PHA. Photo: M. Randazzo
PHA’s neighbors received that message loud and clear. A total of 100 Midwood and PHA residents are now signed up.
For one family, it’s all part of the varied experiences of their diverse neighborhood. Eto Otitigbe mentioned that after the swim session he and his two boys stopped in at an African street market and party.
“It was a lovely Sunday afternoon on Flatbush,” he said.