“It’s like putting your toes in paradise,” she said.
Paradise was brought to her courtesy of Manhattan Youth, which sponsors two, three-day-a-week, free swimming programs—one for seniors and the other for parents or caretakers and their toddlers.

“It’s very therapeutic for me and it wears the kids out so they take long afternoon naps,” said Allison Arnott, of Battery Park City, as her 16-month-old Maya kicked and splashed.

The tot program is Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon; seniors swim from noon to 2:30 p.m. To register, call Alex Roche at 766-1104 x223.