The City is under grave fiscal constraints based on the past mismanagement, but the kids today should not be the victims. We need state and federal funding for the public swimming pools in this grand historic city, especially as summers get hotter.

The City of Troy in Upstate New York has struggled through the effects of urban decay for several decades. The municipal budget has dwindled from loss of tax base and reductions in assistance from state and federal agencies.

The budget allocations for parks and recreation has been reduced over time to the point where great public parks and swimming pools are severely neglected and abandoned. The City of Troy residents deserve the best parks and pools for all their positive contributions to the world. The three public swimming pools in the City were closed, two recently and the third decades ago.

Aside from being the 4th most popular sport activity in the USA, swimming has many positive benefits for improving physical and mental health. The Center for Disease Control recommends swimming for all ages to stay active and healthy.

Urban areas have higher temperatures than suburban and rural counterparts, due to "heat island effect" from expanse of asphalt and roofs compounded by lack of vegetation.

Please sign this petition to tell our government leaders that the City of Troy needs to re-open public swimming pools.