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Albany,
NY – March 2025 / NewsmakerAlert: The
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announces
the start of a $3.6 million renovation of the “kiddie pool” area of the
Peerless
Pool complex at Saratoga Spa State Park. The project features a complete
transformation of the kiddie pool utilizing innovative and specialized
designs to emphasize the natural beauty of the park and promote mental
and physical wellness of young park goers.
“The
Peerless Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park is an affordable option for families
to escape and cool off during the summer heat,” New York State Parks Commissioner
Pro Tempore Randy Simons
said. “Thanks to Governor Hochul, this project will further expand the
park’s excellent pool offerings and add new creative amenities and experiences
for thousands of parents and their children. It reflects our commitment
to creating a space of wellness and retreat for all New Yorkers. The inspired
design will transform an ordinary public pool into a vibrant, imaginative
space where young New Yorkers can be inspired, explore, and find joy in
the outdoors.”
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Peerless Pool Renovations
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The
newly renovated kiddie pool will reduce the amount of concrete and introduce
nature-inspired design elements, including a replica of the park’s famous
natural spouter. This replica spouter will flow into a stream which leads
into the kiddie pool. Encompassing the children’s area will be a new garden,
sitting area, and gazebos. Additional improvements include an ADA-accessible
zero-entry kiddie pool and multiple spray features for children, as well
as refurbished and reconfigured water slides and slide pool. Basic pool
infrastructure such as circulation pumps and disinfection systems will
also be replaced.
The
Peerless Pool complex at Saratoga Spa State Park, originally built in 1962,
hosts on average 75,000 people from June to September every year. The kiddie
pool and waterslides were last renovated nearly 30 years ago in 1996.
Work
is expected to be complete for the 2026 season. The construction will not
affect the main Olympic-size pool at the Peerless Pool complex, the park’s
learn-to-swim program or the Victoria Pool at Saratoga Spa, which will
remain open for the regular 2025 season.
Senator
Jim Tedisco said, “While winter still has its grip on our area, dreams
of warm summer weather make the news that the Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation is starting the renovation of the historic Saratoga
Spa State Park kiddie pool area of the Peerless Pool very encouraging.
This project will provide young people with a wonderful venue to not only
stay cool in warm summer months but also to recreate, socialize and exercise.”
Assemblymember
Carrie Woerner said, “The Spa State Park is an incredibly special place
that offers its many visitors tennis, golf, playgrounds and pools in an
historical setting rich in natural springs, lush gardens and evergreen
forests. I’m grateful for the Governor’s significant investment in the
kiddie pool area specifically, making it safer, more accessible, more reflective
of the park’s unique beauty – and more fun! Children’s laughter from the
new water slides, sprays and spouts will surely enhance the wonderful atmosphere
this park is already so well known for.”
Saratoga
Springs Mayor Safford said, “When my grandchildren were small, between
Camp Saradac in the city and me, they were at Peerless at least three times
a week. It is a wonderful resource for the City of Saratoga Springs and
the greater community. I totally support your effort to keep it viable.”
The
project builds on Governor Hochul’s efforts to encourage outdoor recreation.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget proposes $200 million for State Parks
to invest in and aid the ongoing transformation of New York’s flagship
parks and support critical infrastructure projects throughout the park
system. The Governor’s new Unplug
and Play initiative also earmarks $100 million for construction and
renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure
for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), $67.5 million for the Places
for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping
New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds;
and an additional $50 million for the Statewide Investment in More Swimming
(NY SWIMS) initiative supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction
of swimming facilities. In the first round of NY SWIMS, New York State
awarded
$150 million in grants to municipalities to support 37 projects statewide.
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New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf
courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in
2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.NY.gov,
download the free NY State
Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Join us in celebrating our
Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook,
Instagram,
X
(formerly Twitter) and the OPRHP Blog.
Source
Document
Media
Contact:
Dan
Keefe
Public
Information Officer
518-486-1868
news@parks.ny.gov |
