New Yorkers have been dreaming of taking a refreshing dip in the East River for years, and that wild idea is slowly inching closer to reality.
We last caught up with the highly anticipated + POOL when the prototype arrived in Brooklyn for construction back in 2025.
Now, the futuristic floating pool is officially gearing up for critical testing this summer!
While you cannot grab your swimsuits and jump in just yet, this mandatory dry run is the exact hurdle the project must clear before finally opening to the public in 2027.
Testing the waters this summer
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is keeping a close eye on the project to make sure everything is completely safe for future swimmers.
Before anyone gets to do a cannonball into the filtered river water, the health department is requiring a strict dry run without any bathers, as reported by Gothamist.
Officials have raised completely valid questions regarding water quality and swimmer safety, especially since heavy storms can cause raw sewage to discharge into our waterways.
To address these issues and secure the six necessary approvals from the city, the creators are taking extra precautions.
They are currently installing an emergency chlorine dosing system to ensure absolute safety.
This summer is all about making sure the intricate filtration system works flawlessly in real river conditions.
What exactly is + POOL?
For those who need a quick refresher, + POOL is an innovative community project that has been in the works since 2010.
The concept is basically a giant floating swimming pool shaped like a plus sign that actually cleans the river water it sits in.
The current iteration hitting the water this summer is dubbed POOL1.
It is a 25 percent scale version of the original massive design, but it still packs all the incredible engineering needed to filter out pollutants and give New Yorkers a safe place to cool off.
When can we finally swim in it?
City officials previously promised New Yorkers we would be swimming in the East River by the summer of 2025.
However, a mix of blizzards, ice floes, and rigorous safety reviews understandably pushed the timeline back.
The current goal is to officially open for public swimming by the summer of 2027.
Once this summer testing phase wraps up, POOL1 will be towed away to get properly outfitted with all the necessary amenities.
Here is what they will be adding during the final construction phase:
- Showers and locker rooms for guests
- Sturdy pool decks for lounging
- Final safety and structural finishing touches
It has been a super long journey since the project first made waves over a decade ago, but a swimmable East River is finally on the horizon.
We will be sure to keep you updated as soon as we hear more news on the official 2027 opening dates! 👀🏊
