A “first-of-its-kind” floating pool is coming to New York City in 2025. Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the city and state will fund a $12 million “+Pool” to sit in the Hudson River. This initiative hopes to expand swimming access and address equity gaps for NY residents.
The city and state announced the +Pool as a water-filtering, portable, floating pool. This pool will be shaped like a plus sign and allow New Yorkers to swim in water right outside the city. While the exact location of the pool is unclear, reports have indicated that it would start somewhere on the Lower East River, but travel to different areas along the water since the pool can “float in waters surrounding New York City.” The pool will have free entry, but private events can be hosted at a fee.
Mayor Adams addressed, “When we came into office two years ago, we had a mission: Protect public safety, revitalize the economy, and make this city more livable for hardworking New Yorkers. Every day, we are delivering on this vision for New Yorkers, including by investing in our children’s safety with new swimming infrastructure. I’m proud to partner with Governor Hochul to bring +Pool, a unique and innovative swimming pool, to New York City – expanding access to swimming for all New Yorkers.”
The +Pool is scheduled to be tested in the Summer of 2024 and will open next year if all health and safety standards are met. The New York State Department of Health is releasing new guidelines addressing the design of +Pool. The unique pool addresses the frequent and increasing heat waves, providing New York residents with a new way to cool off. +Pool also falls under the NY SWIMS initiative: the Statewide Investment in Municipal Swimming. This initiative aims to reduce drowning, which is one of the leading causes of death for children ages one to four.
In addition to +Pool, Governor Hochul announced a proposal to build new swimming pools and hire more lifeguards across the state. If this proposal is approved, over $60 million will be administered to build 10 pools in underrepresented communities, with an additional $30 million being allocated to paying for pop-up pools during heat waves. A new recreation center with an indoor pool at Roy Wilkins Park was approved as a $147 million project. With the new initiatives starting to be implemented, the hope is to bring together New Yorkers in a safer, cooler, and more egalitarian environment.
