Lifeguard shortage plagues NYC as pools and beaches set to open for Memorial Day weekend
The department says that the city is short of approximately 1,4000 lifeguards who are needed to staff city pools and beaches.
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May 23, 2023, 9:32 PM
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Updated 430 days ago
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8h agoCity beaches and pools are scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend, but the New York City Parks department says that the city is facing yet another lifeguard shortage despite a raise in pay.
The department says that the city is short of approximately 1,400 lifeguards that are needed to staff city pools and beaches. The shortage was brought up during a City Council meeting on Monday, specifically in relation to a further pay increase to counter the shortage.
According to NYC Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner Sue Donoghue, there are only 280 lifeguards returning from last season with another 200 recruits and trainees, but that is barely making a dent in the 1,400-person shortage.
The department is actively recruiting for both pools and beaches, listing on their website that lifeguard work five to six days per week with a new starting salary of $21.26 per hour.
