Construction is underway on a plus\u2011shaped, self\u2011filtering pool at Pier\u202f35 that will let New Yorkers swim safely in river water as soon as next summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New York City is finally getting a chance to dip a toe\u2014then an entire lap\u2014into the East River. After more than a decade of planning, the 9,000\u2011square\u2011foot +POOL<\/strong> has left its Mississippi shipyard and is on course for Pier\u202f35 on the Lower East Side, promising four separate swimming areas, zero chlorine, and water as clear as any inland pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How does it work? A multi\u2011layer membrane surrounding the vessel draws in river water, strains out contaminants, and returns the clean flow when the day is done. Friends of +POOL say the setup can process \u201cthousands of gallons an hour,\u201d meeting stringent health codes without a drop of added chemicals. Pretty neat, right? Ever dreamed of a pool that fits every mood? +POOL\u2019s cross\u2011shaped layout does exactly that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the sections can be isolated or combined, the facility can host lessons at one end while casual bathers chill at another. The floating frame also rises and falls with the tide, keeping decks level no matter the river\u2019s mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long before the first steel beam was welded, the nonprofit Friends of +POOL ran water\u2011quality workshops, floating art shows, and free STEM classes along the harbor. Their goal? Re\u2011introduce New Yorkers to the blue edge of their own city. \u201cFor generations, the rivers were something you looked at, not touched,\u201d says co\u2011founder Dong\u2011Ping\u202fWong. \u201cWe\u2019re turning that idea on its head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The city agrees: officials cleared the final regulatory hurdles in late 2024, citing both the recreational value and the project\u2019s potential to spotlight river cleanup efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After final fit\u2011out this summer, the structure will be towed up the coast, installed, and tested in situ. If all goes to plan, public swims could begin during the 2026 season; timed tickets are expected to be free or low\u2011cost, with priority for school programs. Consequently, the East River\u2014once viewed as off\u2011limits\u2014may become Manhattan\u2019s coolest summer hangout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n +POOL blends design flair, environmental tech, and civic energy to make city swimming feel fresh again. Keep an eye on Pier\u202f35; next year\u2019s heat waves might find you floating safely in river water you never thought you\u2019d touch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chemical\u2011free filtration system turns East River water into swimmable pools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Community programs and waterfront activism pave the way for the launch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What happens next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n