NYC’s Central Park has been without a pool for years — but that’s about to change

It’s set to make a big splash.

A massive, free city pool will open at the northern tip of Central Park Friday after years of construction — and following a record-breaking heat wave this week.

Gottesman Pool at the Davis Center in Harlem Meer sits on the same spot as the Lasker Rink & Pool, which closed in 2021.

The official opening — preceded by a soft opening Thursday — is on the same day that the city opens all 64 of its other outdoor public pools.

“We’re thrilled to welcome people, for the first time, to the Gottesman Pool, a new crown jewel for the Harlem community, which will serve as a dynamic and welcoming space for recreation and public programs,” NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa said in a statement.

The pool is located within the $160 million Davis Center, which opened in April and includes a recreation center with an atrium and heated floors. The city fronted $60 million to build the complex, while the Central Park Conservancy raised $100 million “in private support.”

“I’m happy they are finally opening this pool here,” said Harlem resident Dejah Robinson, who vowed to bring her 8-year-old daughter to Friday’s opening.

“We live just a few blocks away so this is going to be great for her,” Robinson told The Post this week. “It’s definitely overdue — but I’m just grateful it’s here now, especially with this heat wave.”

Runner Malcom, 30, called the new recreation center “much nicer than I thought it would be.” 

“My expectations weren’t high but they have been exceeded,” he said. “I run through this part of the park almost every other day. I’ll have to carve out some extra time to get in.” 

The 285-foot-long Gottesman Pool will offer two-dozen pool chairs and nearly 4-foot-deep waters for about 1,000 swimmers, making it one of the city’s largest pools.

The pool is slated to be transformed into a turf lawn and ice rink in the fall and winter months, respectively, dubbed the Harlem Oval, according to the city.

“We’ve lived here practically all our life and it’s nice to see them investing in the community,” said Harlem resident Martha, 59, adding that the poolside respite couldn’t have come any faster. 

“This heat has been dreadful, especially at my age,” she added. “This week we have been waiting until the sun goes down before we come outside.” 

The nearest pool is the Frederick Douglass Pool on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 20-minute walk from the Davis Center. 

The new pool will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a cleaning break from 3 to 4 p.m.

The parks department notes there is “often” a line to enter its free pools, and staffers may limit the amount of time that New Yorkers can swim based on demand. Parks employees may also hand out bracelets on busy days for swimmers to come back later and skip the line.

“I don’t know if we’ll come on Friday,” added Harlem resident Will, 60. “I think we’ll give it a few weeks, while there’s still a rush.”