Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) penned a letter to Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell Silver on Tuesday, requesting an increase in hours of separate gender swimming for women at Metropolitan Pool and Recreation Center in Williamsburg.

In May, after a complaint was filed with the NYC Commission on Human Rights, the Parks Department announced that it was going to end the separate swimming policy, claiming it was discriminatory. However after careful consideration, the Human Rights Commission agreed to issue an exemption that would allow the arrangement to continue.

“I applaud Mayor de Blasio and the Human Rights Commission, as well as the Department of Parks and Recreation in continuing separate gender swimming hours,” Assemblyman Hikind said in the letter. “This separate gender swimming program has proven to be very popular and well attended.”

Community Board 1 voted unanimously in favor of keeping separate gender swimming hours, 33-0, and recently asked Commissioner Silver to place a moratorium on the reduction of swimming hours to allow the community and elected officials the opportunity to resolve the issue. Hikind will join the board in its next meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at 211 Ainslie Street to support an increase in swimming hours for women.

Hikind explained that while he appreciated the continuation of the program, the hours would be reduced to half of what they were beginning in October. “Unfortunately the reduction will create overcrowding during the swim period,” he said. “Only a certain number of swimmers are permitted to use the pool at one time, and there is now a long line of women waiting their turn. Additionally, when these women have the opportunity to swim, their time will be severely limited in order to allow those waiting to have a chance.”

Added Hikind: “In order to meet the demand of the program’s popularity, I respectfully request that the Parks Department not only restore the previous hours, but actually increase them to accommodate all women who wish to take advantage of the facility. This will ensure that those wishing to use the pool have the maximum opportunity to do so. By allowing all women to swim separately, we send a clear message that NYC is culturally sensitive and recognizes the diverse nature of its residents.

(YWN Desk – NYC)