The Big Apple is about to make a splash with a revolutionary new swimming spot that’s equal parts cool, innovative, and eco-friendly. Say hello to +POOL, the state-of-the-art floating pool that’s set to transform the East River into New Yorkers’ favorite summer hangout.
+POOL is a marvel of modern engineering, designed to filter the very river it floats in. Shaped like a giant plus sign (hence the name), this aquatic wonder will clean up to one million gallons of river water daily. Talk about multitasking!
The pool will be located off Pier 35 on the Lower East Side, giving Manhattan’s concrete jungle a much-needed dose of aquatic fun. It’s able to accommodate a capacity of 300 people at once, or 1,800 per day.
But don’t start packing your swimsuit just yet – while filtration demonstrations are kicking off this month, we’ll have to wait until next year for the full swimming experience.
The journey of +POOL is as inspiring as the project itself. What started as a wild idea back in 2010 has grown into a full-fledged movement, backed by both grassroots support and government funding. It’s like the little pool that could!
After successful Kickstarter campaigns and years of testing, +POOL caught the attention of the big guns. Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have thrown their support behind the project, with a cool $16 million investment to make this aquatic dream a reality.
But +POOL isn’t just about providing a fun place to cool off (though that’s definitely a perk). This project is tackling some serious issues:
- Water Quality: By filtering river water, +POOL is actively improving the East River’s ecosystem.
- Public Health: It’s providing safe swimming access in a city where water safety is a growing concern.
- Climate Change: As heatwaves become more common, +POOL offers a sustainable way to beat the heat.
Could +POOL be the start of a new trend in urban recreation? With its innovative design and eco-friendly approach, who knows, maybe we’ll see similar projects popping up in other waterfront cities soon.
Sources: ABC7, Design Boom, Pool+