One of New York’s most colorful spaces has reopened for the summer season. Manhattan Park Pool Club at 30 River Rd. on Roosevelt Island is known for its artistic pool decks each season, debuting one-of-a-kind art by local artists inspired by the surroundings and warm season.
This year, Brooklyn-based multimedia artist Amir Diop was tapped to paint the deck surrounding the 60-foot-long swimming pool, creating a bold, joyful design for New Yorkers to enjoy while taking a dip. Diop has previously worked with the New York Public Library, the New York City Department of Education, and the National Arts Club. His work reflects the feeling of reconnecting with your inner child through the nostalgia of a day at the pool.
An overhead view of the new pool deck at Manhattan Park Pool Club for summer 2026
Allyson Lubow Photography
“Many of us can recall a hot summer day at the pool when the only treat within reach was whatever you could grab from the vending machine. That simple moment of sweetness becomes a portal back to wonder,” Diop said. “Through my work, I aim to create designs that spark joy and invite the community to see themselves reflected in the creative energy around them. This mural is meant to feel like a bright taffy structure stretching, swirling, and pulling people together through color, imagination, and shared experience.”
To create this season’s pool deck, Diop used approximately 20 gallons of a mix of Guerra Paint and his own pigments to achieve the vivid colors the work called for.
“Through my work, I aim to create designs that spark joy and invite the community to see themselves reflected in the creative energy around them,” Diop added. “This mural is meant to feel like a bright taffy structure stretching, swirling, and pulling people together through color, imagination, and shared experience.”
A view of the skyline from the new pool deck at Manhattan Park Pool Club
Allyson Lubow Photography
Manhattan Park’s pool is adjacent to a development of the same name. Unlike NYC Parks public pools, this pool is privately owned and managed, and requires a membership or day pass to enter.
Roosevelt Island Residents can purchase a membership, either for the full season or monthly. Full season membership costs $575 for a Roosevelt Island resident or $1150 for a non-resident. Couples memberships are $785 for residents or $1255 for non-residents. A family membership for two adults and one child is $890 for residents or $1415 for non-residents. A family membership for two adults and two children is $995 for residents or $1570 for non-residents. Additional members can be added for $160 for residents or $210 for non-residents. Children under the age of 1 are free.
Roosevelt Island residents can also purchase a monthly membership, which costs $420. A couple’s membership costs $575 and a family membership with two adults and one child is $680, or $785 for two adults and two children.
A guest pass costs $50 on weekdays for residents or $100 for non-residents. Weekend guest passes are $65 for residents or $155 for non-residents.
The pool is officially open through Labor Day, with weekday hours opening at 9 a.m. through 7:45 p.m. and weekend and holiday hours have the pool opening at 10 a.m.
Better start making some friends who live on Roosevelt Island…
This article was originally published on Forbes.com