49.0°,
Light Rain Lynbrook, East Rockaway residents beat the heat
Season's first heat wave sends residents to beaches, pools
As temperatures surpassed 90 degrees for the first time this year, many Lynbrook residents took to the Lynbrook Municipal Pool to seek some relief from the heat. People of all ages swam, splashed and socialized at the pool, many for the first time in 2012.
According to the National Weather Service, Thursday's temperatures are expected to reach 94 degrees -- and feel like 96.
Mike Sherack took his two sons to the pool because there was a half-day of elementary school and it was hot outside. Sherack said that once he heard the week’s weather report on Sunday he planned on coming to the pool on Wednesday. He and his family used the pool often last summer and plan to do the same this year. Wednesday marked their first time at the pool this summer, although it will certainly not be the last. His kids were anxious to use the massive yellow slide as soon as they walked through the gate.
Lynbrook Recreation Director Pat McDermott said he and his staff are expecting a big turnout this summer at the pool, due in part to projected high temperatures.
“We start picking up now with school closing and the temperature is going up,” McDermott said. “We want the people to use the pools, we them to enjoy themselves, have a good time and be safe.”
The pool is now open seven days a week and offers many programs during the week including movie nights, swim lessons, arts and crafts and story time. Lynbrook also offers village residents a one-day pass to non-pool members to try out the facilities and see if they’re interested in purchasing a membership.
Mike and Mairin Stapleton came to the pool on Wednesday for the first time as a way to beat the heat. They were playing with their 10-month-old son Michael who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself in the water. Mike and Mairin used their one-day passes to the pool to see if they wanted to get a full membership in the future. The two said they are expecting it to be a hot summer and during past years they used the kiddie pool set up in their backyard to keep cool.
Ted Foran has been a member at the pool since 2000 and said he enjoys swimming laps whenever possible. On Wednesday, Foran swam 20 laps for the first time this summer and said he hopes to be swimming 40 laps in the coming weeks. He added that he enjoys using the pool and hopes it’s a busy summer at Greis Park.
An East Rockaway resident said that she’ll be going down the local beach at Hewlett Point. “It’s close, it’s hot, and we really love it down there.” The outdoor pre-prom parties are still on for both villages on Thursday. In East Rockaway, the juniors and seniors of East Rockaway High School will be strutting their stuff at the waterfront gazebo area from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and the Lynbrook students will be promenading down Atlantic Avenue between Merrick Road and Stauderman Avenue (the road will be closed at 5 p.m.)
