See how residents are splashing off to summer at Hendrickson pool

On a summer day that is as long and hot as it is beautiful, you likely don’t need much convincing to spend time cooling off by your backyard pool. But for those village residents lacking such personal outdoor perks, a trip to the community pool is the next best thing.

Village residents don’t have to stray too far for aquatic fun and sun. Year after year, generations of pool-goers have counted on the Arthur J. Hendrickson pool for their summertime getaway. Now, in its 61st season, the pool’s fawned-about features and ample activities are open for the summer. On a recent sunny Friday, where the pool’s cleanliness and casual charm was on full display, it stands to reason why the pool has become such a booming hit.

“There are nice pools across the county, but our pool really stands out,” said Recreation Director Jimmy Fitzano. “I’d put this Valley Stream pool up against any pool, anywhere.”

For one thing, safe and age-appropriate play is built into the pool’s architecture, noted Fitzano. The complex boasts an Olympic-sized pool and a diving pool — suited for adults and teens — alongside the interactive kiddie pool and wading pool geared for kids.

Those members restless for rays will find plenty of open poolside lounge chairs for tanning. If so, expect to bring a good book to thumb through or wind down and catch up on some long-needed shut eye. If your skin is not on the friendliest terms with prolonged sun exposure, however, no need to worry, shade spots abound.

“New blue shade structures that could easily accommodate a hundred people” are strategically located throughout the area, said Fitzano. “We’re even trying to look into installing fans around the structures to help people cool off” especially as temperatures are bound to climb.

Not one to sit or lay still? The pool, as in years past, also remains home to several activities and summer aquatic events from pool movie nights to early morning swimming. Around 2 p.m., women in swim caps were seen bobbing waist-deep in the shallow section of the diving pool, serenely synchronizing their movements to music. That, Fitzano pointed out, is the water aerobics class.

While arms and legs swept and twisted in slow fluid motions at one end of the pool, on the other, children in swim trunks splashed in the interactive kiddie pool. Some clung onto their guardian as they braced to get rained on by a sprinkler pole, screaming in delight. On the diving boards, teens peered down into the water and silently mustered up the courage to take the plunge.

With all this movement going on, the risk of accidents and mishaps are not taken for granted, noted Fitzano, who has enlisted a “tremendously qualified” staff of lifeguards.

“This year, we have an abundance of lifeguards, over 60 this year, and most of these lifeguards (which skew on the teen to young adult side) are from the village and it’s a bike ride away for them to come here,” said Fitzano. “Many have grown up with each other and know each other’s techniques when on duty.”

There are 16 lifeguards that shift on a rotating basis and several more ready to spring into action at the first sign of an emergency. “For extra protection”, noted Fitzano, “we’ve placed an extra lifeguard in the water” at the Olympic pool keeping a vigilant watch alongside those that sit on the stands.

“The lifeguard hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They have long days. They work hard. They sit for about an hour and fifteen minutes at each stand,” said 28-year-old lifeguard supervisor Breana Romero, who began as a lifeguard at 16. “We’re like a family. This is my 11th summer. I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t love it.”

Three years ago, amid the pandemic, Romero remembers spending an inordinate amount of time wiping down the surfaces of beach chairs and railings with a mask over her face. Now, in her lifeguard uniform with a resplendent smile on her face, she’s happy to see the pool has swelled back to life. “People want this pool open,” Romero said “Patrons come year after year. We look forward to this. I mean I would look forward to this every summer as kid. It’s the people that make it what it is.”

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