60th Street Rec Center Finally Open

Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center is a hit with the community

After decades of waiting, the Upper West Side finally has a new recreation center at 60th Street. The Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center opened in mid-June, complete with brand-new gym equipment, a pool, and a gymnasium (currently under construction for repairs). The rec center is already popular, according to the workers there, and classes like Zumba, Senior Aerobics, Exercise for tots are packed almost every morning.

Vanessa Samuels, a manager at the Rec Center said that she believes Gertrude Ederle is going to be different than other rec centers, by introducing different types of programs like the "Green Teens Design Workshop" for inner city teens, and youth basketball clinics.

"To me, play is all encompassing, and I don't want to just do the typical aerobics classes," said Samuels. "It gives people an outlet they wouldn't otherwise have."