March 27, 2017

Commissioner Silver
Department of Parks and Recreation
The Arsenal, Central Park
New York NY, 10065

Dear Commissioner Silver,

We write in regards to the womens swim hours at the Metropolitan Pool located at 261 Bedford Ave in
Williamsburg. In a neighborhood with few recreational opportunities, the Metropolitan Pool is an important
resource to the community. Many residents rely on Metropolitan Pool to maintain their physical health and
wellbeing. Almost 30 years ago, the pool was on the verge of shutting down. The community believed then,
as they do now, that the pool was too great a resource to lose. Neighbors joined together and rallied to save
the pool in the end, the community prevailed.

Since that time, for nearly 30 years, the pool had scheduled eight hours a week of womens swim time. These
hours provided a great benefit to women in the community, and were very popular. As you are aware, a letter
was sent to the NYC Human Rights Commission questioning the legality of the womens swim hours under
the NYC Human Rights Code, which resulted in the cancelation of the womens swim hours.

After consideration of the regulations, the Parks Department requested and was granted an exemption for
four hours of womens swim hours based on N.Y.C. Admin. Code 8-107(4)(b), of the New York City
Human Rights Law. We greatly appreciate the Parks Departments support on this matter. Nevertheless,
we also request that the Parks Department request an exemption, based on historical precedent of nearly
30 years, to restore the original eight hours of womens swim time. Ever since the neighborhood rallied
to save the pool, the womens swim hours have enjoyed overwhelming support from the community.
For the sake of women, physical wellbeing, and history, we request the original hours be restored.

We look forward to your response to this matter

Sincerely,

Stephen T. Levin Martin Malav Dilan Joseph R. Lentol

Council Member, District 33 State Senator, 18th District Assemblyman, 50th District