Roosevelt Island Sportspark

I took the Roosevelt Island tram from midtown Manhattan at 6:30 AM to be there when they opened at 7. The lanes speed graded. I got 2,500 yards in before it got more crowded. I shared a lane but many lanes required circle swimming. The pool was little warmer than I like, but fine. The lanes seemed narrow, maybe 6 feet. It's a really nice, clean facility I enjoyed it

Spacious, bright and not crowded the half-dozen times I swam there. Friendly vibe and interesting people at this off-the-beaten-path treasure of a pool. I found a full complement of equipment. Bring a lock or wear your suit under your clothes and make a beeline for the pool deck, which many people do. Locker rooms are cramped and not well maintained, but don't let that deter you.

The facilities are a bit worn, but clean, and the pool area is bright. The water temperature is decent for laps. The number of lanes available for lap swimming varies, so call for details. On a Sunday at 1:30 PM, I had a lane to myself. Swim caps and locks are required (although no one checked that I had a lock). Kickboards are available pool side, but pull-buoys are hard to come by. Note that island accessibility is limited to one subway stop on the F train, the cable tram, and a bridge from Queens. This may be the best swimming deal close to Manhattan.