A report finds that a lack of public pools has left Brooklyn residents with fewer places to beat the heat.

According to park advocates, New York City ranks last compared to other major cities when it comes to pools per 100,000 people. The Parks Department runs 63 pools and says the report is unfair because it does not account for the 14 miles of beaches it also maintains. However, advocates say 20 of the pools are only up to three feet deep.

Advocates want McCarren Olympic pool, which has been closed for 20 years, reopened and other pools created. Sunset Park swimmers who use a nearby Olympic-size pool say they are not surprised by the report because their pool is often crowded. Parks advocates feel their report highlights the bigger problem of city youth not learning how to swim.

Related Information NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation