THE FLOATING POOL PROJECT

New York City at one time had 15 floating pools in the East and Hudson Rivers. These were rectangular structures held afloat on pontoons. There were changing rooms and offices on the perimeter, and the center hollow was lined with slats and filled with river water. The original pools were situated at the Battery and were privately run. Beginning in 1870, the city built its own flotilla. These were tied up to existing piers near the tenement districts in the summer. They were a means for the public not only learn to swim, but to have the opportunity to bathe and to move along the path of Americanization. When, in 1915, the Health Department realized that patrons were swimming in raw sewage, the pools were lined and filled with aqueduct water. Robert Moses ran the last three of the facilities in the Hudson along Riverside Park as late as 1935. After this, federal dollars and water for in ground pools became readily available.

Today, as the rivers are cleaner and new parks and esplanades are improving accessibility, we should seek new ways to program activities that bring people to the river. To this end, the Parks Council has revived the floating pool concept. Our proposed floating swimming pool structure, designed by Honathan Kirschenfeld Architects, is to be built within a decommissioned steel deck barge. The 50' x 115' pool will be set adjacent to a raised court containing changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers, with a snack bar and dining terrace overlooking the pool. The use of environmentally p[progressive mechanical systems below deck create a self-contained, movable facility which can serve a wide range of communities and needs. We firmly believe that the time is right. The economy is strong and physical fitness is a high priority of health advocates and recreations enthusiasts.

Contact: Ann Buttenwieser 212-427-3514