For nearly 15 years, New Yorkers have eagerly awaited the arrival of + POOL, a unique cross-shaped pool designed to float in the East River. Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced that this innovative facility will be constructed at Pier 35, located near Manhattan’s Lower East Side. However, swimmers will need to be patient, as the pool is not expected to open until summer 2026. This project represents a significant step toward enhancing public access to swimming in the city.
The pool's filtration system is a standout feature, capable of cleaning over 3.8 million liters of river water daily without using chemicals or additives. According to project press releases, the filtration process will undergo two rounds of testing. The first round will commence this month on a floating barge near Pier 35, while a portion of the actual pool will be constructed next year for final testing. This innovative approach aims to ensure that the water is safe for swimmers while also improving the quality of the surrounding river.
A major breakthrough for the project came earlier this year when Governor Hochul announced $16 million in funding from both the city and state. This funding is part of a larger $150 million initiative called NY SWIMS, aimed at expanding swimming access across New York. Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of + POOL in providing equitable swimming opportunities, especially for children, in a city where public pool options are limited. As of 2022, New York City has only around 50 public pools deep enough for swimming, leading to long lines during hot summer days.
Designed by the creative studio PlayLab and the now-defunct firm Family, + POOL will span 836 square meters and accommodate up to 300 swimmers at a time. The design allows for various configurations, enabling activities like children's swimming, lounging, and sports. The pool can be divided into four sections or connected lengthwise to create Olympic-sized lanes. This versatility aims to cater to a wide range of community needs and preferences.
The project has a strong community focus, having initially launched through Kickstarter, raising over $300,000 between 2011 and 2014. The original estimated cost of the project was $21 million, but managing director Kara Meyer from Friends of + POOL now estimates the total cost at around $50 million. Meyer highlighted the community-driven nature of the project, stating that it began with thousands of small donations from individuals who believe in enhancing access to rivers and promoting water safety education.
Despite its community-driven ethos, the initiative faced criticism earlier this year from one of its co-founders, Dong-Ping Wong. He expressed concerns about the lack of diversity on the + POOL board and questioned whether the facility would adequately serve the nearby Chinatown community, which is predominantly lower-income and people of color. Following the announcement of funding, Wong indicated he had been replaced by other architects, a claim Meyer disputed, asserting that Wong was always considered a key part of the project.
Meyer pointed out that four of the nonprofit’s ten board members identify as women and people of color, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to inclusivity. The project also aims to provide free swim lessons for local schoolchildren and workforce training for residents in roles such as lifeguarding and water-quality testing. This focus on community engagement reflects a broader commitment to addressing historical inequities in access to public swimming facilities.
As testing progresses and construction begins, New Yorkers can look forward to seeing + POOL take shape at Pier 35. While an exact timeline for completion remains uncertain, the project aims to filter a historically polluted river and provide a new framework for utilizing the city’s waterways creatively. By doing so, + POOL hopes to inspire a renewed appreciation for public swimming and river stewardship in New York City.
