Pool party at the Double D today!

By Meredith Deliso

Suit up — the public pools are open.

On Wednesday, hot Brooklynites (and Mayor Bloomberg) took the first big cannonball of the summer as the city’s 54 outdoors pools opened for the season.

The opening couldn’t be more poignant than at the Douglass-Degraw pool at Thomas Greene Playground — affectionately known as the Double D. Last summer, the Boerum Hill pool nearly closed for good due to budget cuts. But, thanks in large part to efforts from the crawl stroke-loving community, who came out in droves to sign petitions and write letters to their representatives, the pool was saved two weeks later.

“The more people who come show how important it is for the area,” said pool advocate Sam Neely who launched a Facebook group to save the pool, at the time.

With that sentiment in mind, the Friends of Douglass Greene Park is throwing a party today across the street from the beloved pool to celebrate a wet, cool summer once again. There’ll be live music, games and food — just remember, wait 30 minutes after eating until swimming.

Party across the street from the Double D [Douglass Street between Third Avenue and Nevins Street in Boerum Hill, (718) 625-3268], July 2 from 2:30-5 pm. Free. For info, visit www.friendsofdouglassgreenepark.org.

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Jump in and greet the new year!

By Vera Zukelman

In Brooklyn, there’s no better way to greet the new year than a case of hypothermia.

But you’d better not be thinking about the dangers of frostbite if you want to join hundreds of swimmers who plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean at the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club swim on New Year’s Day.

First-timers are always welcome to partake in the tingly tradition, but don’t worry if you can’t hack it, says club President Dennis Thomas.

“Once you’re in, it’s OK to scream,” he said.

It’s also OK to simply join the thousands of spectators who crowd the beach to watch the swimmers, some dressed in diapers (they’re New Year’s babies!), wigs, full body paint or string bikinis (now that’s just nuts!).

Sure, cold water swimming may be a bit loony, but it’s also a great way to relax, says Brynna Tucker.

“The shock of the cold is intense and it feels wonderful,” said Tucker, a Polar Bear since 2006. “There’s no other feeling like it. If you had a really bad week, the cold is not so bad.”

Thomas also assures sceptics that the club members are not bonkers.

“We’re a very tight-knit community of people from all walks of life that otherwise wouldn’t have met each other,” he said.

As in previous years, the swim will raise money for Camp Sunshine, a retreat that provides support and medical attention for children with life-threatening illnesses. Last year, Camp Sunshine was able to send 20 families from Brooklyn to the free retreat in Sebago Lake, New Hampshire. So, as the saying goes, you’re freezing for a reason!

Polar Bear Club swim [meet at the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue at Coney Island, (917) 533-3568], Jan. 1 at 1 pm. Bathers must bring a suit, towel, footware and warm clothes (for afterwards). For info, visit www.polarbearclub.org.

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Jump on in!

Dive right in to summer: outdoor public pools opened on June 29.

Here’s a look at some of places to practice your crawl stroke in Brooklyn.

Commodore Barry Pool [N. Elliot Place at Flushing Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 243-2593]. Open every day from 11 am–7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

David Fox/PS 251 [E. 54th Street and Avenue H in East Flatbush, (718) 531-2437]. Open every day from 7:30 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

Double D Pool (pictured) [Douglass Street between Third Avenue and Nevins Street in Boerum Hill. (718) 625-3268]. Open every day from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

Glenwood Houses [Farragut Road and Ralph Avenue in Flatlands, (718) 531-2480]. Open every day from 7:30 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

Lindower Park [E. 60th St, Mill Rd. and Strickland Avenue in Mill Basin, (718) 531-4852]. Open every day from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

Red Hook Pool [Bay Street between Clinton and Henry streets, (718) 722-3211]. Olympic sized. Open every day from 11 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

Sunset Park Pool [Seventh Avenue between 41st and 44th streets, (718) 965-6578]. Olympic sized. Open every day from 7:30 am to 7 pm. Closed from 3 to 4 pm.

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