This week, given the overcrowding at Van Cortlandt Pool amid the ongoing lifeguard shortage citywide, we asked readers where, in their opinion, a new public swimming pool should be built in Norwood or Bedford Park.

 

“I think the neighborhood needs a swimming pool. It would be a good investment, a good addition to the neighborhood, and all the kids could come play and all that. Probably [Williamsbridge] Oval Park would be the best because that’s where we usually go. I kind of remember that the Oval had a pool way back then, but I was too little to go there back then. It was, like, 10 or 15 years ago; they had a swimming pool a long time ago. Now there is a skatepark and basketball courts and a little field. I would use the pool, most definitely.”

Mahin Haque,

Norwood

“Don’t they have one over there in Van Cortlandt [Park]? Alright, so we need one on this side of the Bronx Maybe they could put it by Yankee Stadium? Around here? This is a good spot over here, on this side of Van Cortlandt Park, near Mosholu Parkway. The Kingsbridge Armory is a good spot too, yeah. Oh yeah, I would go. Today I’m good, but tomorrow’s another day.”

Michael Perez,

Bedford Park

“Planet Fitness is there, so the pool should be somewhere along the [Poe] Park there, yeah, the park in Kingsbridge, here. Yes, I would come here, I love this area. I would love to move here if I could find a place. I mean Fordham is one of the best places here to be honest. There’s not too many pools in this area.”

Amin Idris,

South Bronx

“Yes, I live in the area, and I think it does need a pool. Where would I put it? I would put it further down like [East] 198th, down there. I tell you where they should put it; they should put it right over there near the Family Dollar by Fordham Plaza. That’s where they should put it. The Kingsbridge Armory could be good, but that’s a little too far for me. You’ve got to put it somewhere in the middle, but here along Fordham is the most crowded area all day long 24/7, so it would be nice to have a pool in this area. I’d support the plan; it’s a great idea.”

Michael Hale,

Fordham Manor

 

“I would love to have a pool in one of our bigger green spaces / parks, but they are either connected to another organization or there is too much going on there already. I would say the Kingsbridge Armory ice skating rink talk has died down and I think that would be a great spot for a pool. We don’t really have an aquatic center in The Bronx, and this would be a good spot with all the trains and buses around it, so parking wouldn’t be a big issue.”

Gonzalo Duran,

Crotona Park East