The Douglas and Degraw Pool, known at D and D or Double D Pool, always seems on the cusp of being closed. Whether due to lack of funds or the stomach turning prospect of using it as a sewage retention basin to help with the Gowanus clean up, the many fates of D and D Pool are always outweighed by the support of the community to keeps its doors open. This wonderful, small pool is a surreal oasis in the middle of the industrial (yet hip and cool) desert of Gowanus. Though the neighborhood has changed radically in the past few years, the environment has stayed the same. The lack of trees and lack of breeze make this low-lying area a heat sink. But at its depths is the Double D ready to welcome the sweaty masses and cool their clammy brows. This pool has many pros including a public pool rarity: shade! There is a shaded area on the pool deck. There is also a 24 by 24 foot kiddie pool in addition to the 75 by 60 foot adult pool. Since even the adult pool is only 3 feet deep, it is a great spot for those shorties still learning to swim. The good people at D and D also distribute a free lunch to kids, so if you forget to pack a snack (which you can’t bring on the pool deck anyway) this is a lifesaver. The downsides here are typical: grim locker rooms and unappealing bathrooms. The only other drawback is the location. Unless you are truly local, or taking the R to Union, it is a hike on some well baked sidewalks, which can suck away the cooling effects of your day at the pool pretty quick. But, I supposed, it’s New York City in August and staying cool isn’t really possible outside of the frigidly air conditioned subway cars or walking in the wafts of air-conditioning blasting out the open doors of chain stores on Broadway.