The creation of a “first-of-its-kind” pool allowing New Yorkers to experience once more what it’s like to swim in the East River, is now underway. Already reported by Travel Tomorrow in 2024, the so-called “+ Pool” has now found the right spot, north of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
Swimmers will use a walkway to venture between shore and the facility. Measuring over 830m2, installed to float in the river with an anchoring system, the cruciform pool will have different zones “for lap swimming, lounging, watersports, swim education classes, and children’s activities”, a press release said, adding: “Each configuration can be used independently, combined to form an Olympic-length pool or opened completely into a 9,000 square foot pool for play.”
As a trial, a 185m2 + Pool is currently being manufactured at Bollinger Shipyard in Mississippi. A barge will dry-tow the construction via Florida’s Atlantic coastline to New York, where it will be scrutinised by authorities.
In terms of health and safety, those behind the project say approximately a million gallons of water every day will be treated by the experimental swimming pool installation – a process that it’s argued will boost the health of the surrounding waterway.
Kara Meyer, Managing Director of + Pool, said: “The interagency and community collaboration to bring NYC’s first water-filtering floating swimming pool to life has been incredible. It demonstrates New York at its best – when the people are working together to advocate for change, evolve systems, design solutions, test concepts, and build innovations.”
Swimming in the city’s waters used to be possible around the turn of the last century, thanks to 15 floating “river pools” in the Hudson and the East River. But as the rivers became environmentally unsuitable for swimming, the floating baths were closed and it was no longer possible to swim hygienically or safely by the 1920s.
Campaigners have long advocated for the return of pool or river swimming facilities. Trevor Holland, Two Bridges resident and Founder of Friends of Pier 35, said: “I’m proud to welcome + Pool as it begins to take shape on our waterfront. This first-of-its-kind floating pool is not only a recreational space but also a powerful step toward environmental equity and public access to clean river water.” The innovation will bring “health, education and connection to the East River,” Holland added.
