Asser Levy Recreation Center

(212) 447-2023

Asser Levy Recreation Center operates as a New York City Parks and Recreation facility at 392 Asser Levy Place in New York, providing affordable fitness and aquatic services to community members. The facility offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym facilities, and group fitness classes at significantly lower costs than private fitness centers, serving as an accessible recreational resource for Manhattan residents.

Aquatic Facilities

Indoor Swimming Pool

The heated indoor swimming pool features attractive architectural elements including skylights and fountain details that create an appealing aquatic environment. The pool operates year-round with varying depths from 4 feet at one end to 8 feet at the other, accommodating both recreational swimming and lap swimming activities.

Lap swimming sessions operate through scheduled time blocks, though overcrowding can result in sharing lanes with multiple swimmers. Pool management faces challenges with lane speed enforcement, sometimes resulting in mixed swimming abilities within designated lanes.

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The large outdoor pool operates free of charge during summer months, typically from late June through the summer season. The outdoor facility provides additional swimming capacity during peak usage periods and offers recreational swimming opportunities without membership requirements.

Access to outdoor pools includes strict dress code policies, requiring visitors to verify clothing requirements before arrival to avoid entry issues.

Fitness Center and Equipment

Gym Facilities

The recreation center houses a spacious gym with basic but functional equipment including approximately 15 cardio machines, weight training equipment, and strength training apparatus. While equipment may show age and require updates, most machinery operates effectively for standard workout routines.

The gym accommodates various fitness levels with free weights, resistance machines, and cardiovascular equipment. However, air conditioning limitations during summer months can create uncomfortable workout conditions with temperatures reaching concerning levels.

Group Exercise Programming

Free fitness classes operate in welcoming environments with motivating instructors who provide caring guidance to participants. Class offerings include yoga, Tai Chi, jump rope classes, and other group fitness activities that accommodate different skill levels and interests.

Shape Up NY yoga classes and other group programming provide structured exercise opportunities at no additional cost beyond membership fees. Dance classes operate on Sunday afternoons with nominal fees and skilled instruction.

Additional Amenities

Recreation and Social Activities

The facility includes ping pong tables in the lobby area, pool tables, and foosball games that provide recreational alternatives to traditional fitness activities. These amenities support social interaction and casual recreation for members seeking variety in their facility usage.

Swimming instruction serves various age groups from toddlers to adults, with swimming teams available for competitive swimmers. Learn to Swim programs accommodate children as young as 18 months while also serving adult beginners.

Outdoor Recreation Areas

Outdoor amenities include a mini track with field area, basketball courts, handball courts, playground equipment with swingsets, and bodyweight exercise areas. These facilities extend recreational opportunities beyond indoor programming while supporting diverse fitness interests.

Outdoor ping pong tables provide additional recreational options during favorable weather conditions.

Membership and Pricing

Affordable Access Structure

Membership pricing follows NYC Parks and Recreation fee structure with rates significantly below private fitness facilities. Annual memberships cost approximately $100-150 for adults, with reduced rates for young adults ($25 for ages 18-24) and seniors ($10 annually), while youth under 18 receive free access.

Six-month membership options are available for approximately $75, providing flexible payment arrangements for various financial situations. Daily rates accommodate occasional users who do not require full membership benefits.

System-Wide Access

Membership provides access to all New York City Parks and Recreation facilities throughout the five boroughs, creating substantial value for active users who may visit multiple locations. This system-wide access significantly enhances membership value compared to single-facility arrangements.

Operational Challenges and Community Feedback

Facility Maintenance Issues

Community feedback indicates ongoing challenges with facility maintenance including equipment condition, air conditioning limitations, and pest control issues in locker rooms. Some areas require updates and repairs to maintain optimal user experiences.

Pool maintenance occasionally results in extended closures for repairs, sometimes occurring during peak usage periods without adequate advance notice to members.

Staff and Service Quality

Staff performance receives mixed community feedback, with some praising friendly and professional service while others report unprofessional interactions and inconsistent policy enforcement. Front desk service and lifeguard quality vary depending on shift timing and individual staff members.

Customer service challenges include phone accessibility issues and inconsistent information provision, particularly regarding facility closures and policy changes.

Crowding and Access Issues

Peak usage periods create significant crowding, particularly for pool facilities where wait times can extend substantially. Summer outdoor pool access may require extended waiting in lines that extend beyond facility premises.

Gym equipment availability during popular hours can limit workout effectiveness, though off-peak usage generally provides adequate equipment access.

Community Value and Accessibility

Despite operational challenges, Asser Levy Recreation Center provides essential recreational services at costs far below private alternatives. The facility serves multi-generational families with many visitors returning across decades, demonstrating its ongoing community importance.

The combination of aquatic facilities, fitness equipment, group classes, and recreational amenities creates comprehensive recreational opportunities that serve diverse community needs while maintaining affordability as a primary benefit for Manhattan residents seeking accessible fitness and recreation options.

Asser Levy Recreation Center operates as a New York City Parks and Recreation facility at 392 Asser Levy Place in New York, providing affordable fitness and aquatic services to community members. The facility offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym facilities, and group fitness classes at significantly lower costs than private fitness centers, serving as an accessible recreational resource for Manhattan residents.

Aquatic Facilities

Indoor Swimming Pool

The heated indoor swimming pool features attractive architectural elements including skylights and fountain details that create an appealing aquatic environment. The pool operates year-round with varying depths from 4 feet at one end to 8 feet at the other, accommodating both recreational swimming and lap swimming activities.

Lap swimming sessions operate through scheduled time blocks, though overcrowding can result in sharing lanes with multiple swimmers. Pool management faces challenges with lane speed enforcement, sometimes resulting in mixed swimming abilities within designated lanes.

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The large outdoor pool operates free of charge during summer months, typically from late June through the summer season. The outdoor facility provides additional swimming capacity during peak usage periods and offers recreational swimming opportunities without membership requirements.

Access to outdoor pools includes strict dress code policies, requiring visitors to verify clothing requirements before arrival to avoid entry issues.

Fitness Center and Equipment

Gym Facilities

The recreation center houses a spacious gym with basic but functional equipment including approximately 15 cardio machines, weight training equipment, and strength training apparatus. While equipment may show age and require updates, most machinery operates effectively for standard workout routines.

The gym accommodates various fitness levels with free weights, resistance machines, and cardiovascular equipment. However, air conditioning limitations during summer months can create uncomfortable workout conditions with temperatures reaching concerning levels.

Group Exercise Programming

Free fitness classes operate in welcoming environments with motivating instructors who provide caring guidance to participants. Class offerings include yoga, Tai Chi, jump rope classes, and other group fitness activities that accommodate different skill levels and interests.

Shape Up NY yoga classes and other group programming provide structured exercise opportunities at no additional cost beyond membership fees. Dance classes operate on Sunday afternoons with nominal fees and skilled instruction.

Additional Amenities

Recreation and Social Activities

The facility includes ping pong tables in the lobby area, pool tables, and foosball games that provide recreational alternatives to traditional fitness activities. These amenities support social interaction and casual recreation for members seeking variety in their facility usage.

Swimming instruction serves various age groups from toddlers to adults, with swimming teams available for competitive swimmers. Learn to Swim programs accommodate children as young as 18 months while also serving adult beginners.

Outdoor Recreation Areas

Outdoor amenities include a mini track with field area, basketball courts, handball courts, playground equipment with swingsets, and bodyweight exercise areas. These facilities extend recreational opportunities beyond indoor programming while supporting diverse fitness interests.

Outdoor ping pong tables provide additional recreational options during favorable weather conditions.

Membership and Pricing

Affordable Access Structure

Membership pricing follows NYC Parks and Recreation fee structure with rates significantly below private fitness facilities. Annual memberships cost approximately $100-150 for adults, with reduced rates for young adults ($25 for ages 18-24) and seniors ($10 annually), while youth under 18 receive free access.

Six-month membership options are available for approximately $75, providing flexible payment arrangements for various financial situations. Daily rates accommodate occasional users who do not require full membership benefits.

System-Wide Access

Membership provides access to all New York City Parks and Recreation facilities throughout the five boroughs, creating substantial value for active users who may visit multiple locations. This system-wide access significantly enhances membership value compared to single-facility arrangements.

Operational Challenges and Community Feedback

Facility Maintenance Issues

Community feedback indicates ongoing challenges with facility maintenance including equipment condition, air conditioning limitations, and pest control issues in locker rooms. Some areas require updates and repairs to maintain optimal user experiences.

Pool maintenance occasionally results in extended closures for repairs, sometimes occurring during peak usage periods without adequate advance notice to members.

Staff and Service Quality

Staff performance receives mixed community feedback, with some praising friendly and professional service while others report unprofessional interactions and inconsistent policy enforcement. Front desk service and lifeguard quality vary depending on shift timing and individual staff members.

Customer service challenges include phone accessibility issues and inconsistent information provision, particularly regarding facility closures and policy changes.

Crowding and Access Issues

Peak usage periods create significant crowding, particularly for pool facilities where wait times can extend substantially. Summer outdoor pool access may require extended waiting in lines that extend beyond facility premises.

Gym equipment availability during popular hours can limit workout effectiveness, though off-peak usage generally provides adequate equipment access.

Community Value and Accessibility

Despite operational challenges, Asser Levy Recreation Center provides essential recreational services at costs far below private alternatives. The facility serves multi-generational families with many visitors returning across decades, demonstrating its ongoing community importance.

The combination of aquatic facilities, fitness equipment, group classes, and recreational amenities creates comprehensive recreational opportunities that serve diverse community needs while maintaining affordability as a primary benefit for Manhattan residents seeking accessible fitness and recreation options.

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