This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

If You Fill It, They Will Come

Syosset-Woodbury pool membership up 20 percent from last year.

Pool season is in full swing, and Syosset-Woodbury Community Park is no exception. Since opening day on June 19, residents have been showing up in force seeking relief from the high temperatures and oppressive humidity more typical of late summer on Long Island. 

And according to Town of Oyster Bay officials, more residents are signing up than last summer. "Pool membership at Syosset-Woodbury is up by 130 over this time last year," says Public Information Officer Phyllis A. Barry. "That figure represents roughly a 20 percent increase [so far this season] over last year."

In considering this significant increase, one may wonder if the current "stay-cation" economy is a contributing factor. Perhaps families–many facing unemployment and underemployment, with household expenses soaring and budgets stretched to the limit–are foregoing potentially expensive vacations in favor of pool memberships.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Our community park pools have always been an excellent value for residents' vacation dollars," says Town Supervisor John Venditto. "We realize economic times are tough," and adds, "... pool fees at all four community park pool complexes have not increased since 2008."

Maybe the rise in membership is partly due to economics...or maybe not. Based on conversations with pool-goers arriving at the Jeffrey Allen Mosenson Pool (as the Syosset-Woodbury Community Pool was re-named in honor of the local lifeguard and Syosset resident who died in a car crash on Jan. 28, 2003), the recent economic turmoil may actually be having a more indirect effect.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those interviewed spoke less about dollars and cents, and more about what pool membership means to them. It may well be about getting back to simpler things, like the sheer enjoyment of spending time with family, and taking a refreshing dip on a hot summer's day. Said first-time member Antonio, who was accompanying daughters Jasmine, 6 and Audrey, 4, "We just moved into the area and it just seemed like something we could really enjoy together."

And for some returning pool members, it's a continuation of a family tradition. For Syosset resident Debbie Burwasser, who was with her 16-year-old son Chase, joining the pool this summer was neither a new nor a finance-driven decision. "It's our fifth year coming," she said, then added casually, "It's just how we spend our summers."

The fees for family memberships at the Town's community park pools are $175 for park district residents and $210 for non-park district residents. Individual memberships are $95 for park district residents and $110 for non-park district residents. For further information on membership fees, including special rates for seniors and handicapped individuals, visit the Community Park Pools section of the Town of Oyster Bay website. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?