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“Through innovative solutions like + POOL, we are providing children and their families with safe spaces to swim in New York City,” Governor Hochul said. “NY SWIMS is the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal, and we’re increasing access to pools while helping our kids learn how to stay safe in the water.”
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In January 2024, Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams announced that New York State and New York City would collaborate on launching + POOL, a state-of-the-art swimming facility that will float in the waters surrounding New York City. The State and City are jointly funding the first round of + POOL’s demonstration project starting this August to provide New York City, New York State and + POOL with the data needed to develop New York City’s first water-filtering floating swimming pool to dock in the East River in summer 2025.

DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “By investing in and expanding swimming opportunities for underserved communities, Governor Hochul’s NY SWIMS program will provide millions of New Yorkers with opportunities to improve their health and well-being. Additionally, the program will create community gathering spaces that foster connection and strengthen local bonds. DASNY is proud to support NY SWIMS and Governor Hochul’s work to explore new and innovative ways to improve New Yorkers’ quality of life.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul is committed to providing additional environments where children can safely swim. We all know that the act of swimming is healthy for the body and even for the mind, so by providing opportunities for supervised and hygienic swimming, we can help make it a safe activity as well. New and exciting ideas like floating pools could make public swimming accessible to even more people and the Department is proud to be a partner in this initiative by exploring opportunities for projects with the health of our communities in mind.”

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Governor Hochul has both opened up access to existing state pools by eliminating the entry fee this summer and now this move for new, state-of-the-art pool projects that will offer even more access to children and families. We look forward to this project growing access to swimming in New York City and beyond under her NY SWIMS initiative.”

State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, “I join so many people in our community in saying that I am thrilled at the prospect of +POOL coming to our community! The concept of a floating pool providing the opportunity for swimming and recreation while also filtering our public waterways has been intriguing since it was first presented many years ago. Today’s announcement is a tremendous step forward in providing safe and accessible swimming opportunities for all New Yorkers, while also enhancing our waterfront and promoting environmental sustainability. I thank the +POOL organization for their vision and determination, everyone in our community who advocated for this site, and Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for their commitment to innovation and their dedication to making our communities healthier, more vibrant communities. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this demonstration will have in our community and beyond.”

Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “Thank you Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, for bringing the + POOL to the Lower East Side. With so many of our Lower East Side and Chinatown neighbors, particularly children, lacking access to swimming skills and safe recreational spaces, this project will bring the benefits of the + POOL to a community that truly needs it. It’s a step toward addressing long-standing environmental and social inequities, and I could not be more excited for the positive impact it will have on our community.”

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “This demonstration is a step towards identifying new methods to create more places for New Yorkers to swim and stay cool. I look forward to what we learn from the demonstration, and I’m grateful to the Governor and Mayor for their leadership on this innovative project.”

New York City Councilmember Christopher Marte said, “I am delighted to announce that, after years of persistent community advocacy, Lower Manhattan will finally have safe and free access to the river through the innovative + POOL project. This unique initiative will provide thousands of public housing residents, tourists, and community members with a unique opportunity to engage with the waterfront in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Beyond its recreational appeal, + POOL will offer a variety of programs to enrich the community, including fitness classes and free swim lessons for both children and adults. This project embodies our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents by promoting health, wellness, and inclusivity.”

+ POOL Managing Director Kara Meyer said, “The interagency and community collaboration to bring NYC’s first water-filtering floating swimming pool to life has been incredible. It demonstrates New York at its best - when the people are working together to advocate for change, evolve systems, design solutions, test concepts, and build innovations. It’s what makes New York, New York.”

This progress update follows Governor Hochul’s historic $150 million NY SWIMS investment to support pools in underserved communities, New York’s biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal. It also builds on the Governor’s continued efforts to encourage all New Yorkers to “Get Offline, Get Outside” – her campaign to help kids and families put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first.

Building Out Municipal Pools in High-Need Areas

Governor Hochul recently announced that up to $90 million from the $150 million NY SWIMS capital grant program was available for municipal pools in underserved communities. Included in the FY25 Enacted Budget and the 2024 State of the State, NY SWIMS offers grants between $50,000 and $10 million to acquire, design, construct or reconstruct facilities, provide major renovations, improvements, and modernization or rehabilitation of swimming facilities and natural swimming areas. First round awards are expected to be announced no earlier than August 28, 2024.

Helping Kids Learn to Swim

Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, NY SWIMS will build out municipal swimming facilities in high-need areas, connect New Yorkers to the State’s rivers and lakes, deploy pools in urban environments, and invest in State parks and pools. It will also promote initiatives to help more New Yorkers swim safely by addressing the statewide lifeguard shortage, increasing swimming instruction, and increasing amenities at pools and beaches. Learn more about swimming safety at www.health.ny.gov/swimsafe.

Governor Hochul previously announced a $1.5 million Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant program. Administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program will connect New York school age children (pre-K through grade 12) with swimming instruction by reimbursing transportation costs (including parking and vehicle use fees) incurred by eligible entities for travel to facilities in New York State that are operated by State, municipal, and not-for-profit organizations and offer swim instruction for a nationally recognized learn-to-swim curriculum such as the American Red Cross, YMCA or Starfish Aquatics.

The program allows for grant recipients to be reimbursed up to $45,000 per fiscal year for eligible transportation expenses and there is no matching share required. Applications will be received on a rolling basis. Grant details and guidelines are available on the State Parks website.

Governor Hochul has also directed SUNY to collaborate with schools, youth and community-based organizations and municipalities to increase learn to swim opportunities across every region of the State. Additionally, New York will incentivize SUNY students who are skilled swimmers to become lifeguards by covering the cost of a lifeguard certification exam, and by giving college credit for lifeguard training courses.
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Media Contact:
Dan Keefe
Public Information Officer
518-486-1868
news@parks.ny.gov