Where To Go Swimming for a Day

Kiddie pools have been a summer staple for generations of kids who grew up in Fort Lee. Despite the fact that the kiddie pool in Coytesville Park has been removed, there are still kiddie pools at Westview Park on Westview Ave.; Firemen's Park on Whiteman Street; the Fort Lee Recreation Center at the bottom of Stillwell Ave.; and Inwood Terrace Park on Inwood Terrace.

Passes for the Kiddie pools can be obtained at the Recreation Department located at 1501 8th St. right near the Recreation Center on Stillwell Ave.

We’ve received emails from quite a few moms with older children requesting information about pools that offer day passes. Because of the economy, many people simply can’t afford family memberships to area pools, but would still like to cool off on a hot day. Here are pools that offer day passes. Some are near; some are not so far. All are worth it.  

Palisades Park Swim Club

For the last few years, Palisades Park Swim Club has offered the public daily passes. The costs are: $12/person on weekdays and $15/person on weekends; Children under 2 are free. Weekends tend to get very crowded, so get there early.

Palisades Park Swim Club is located off Grand Avenue on Roosevelt Place. There are signs to direct you. 201-585-4140.

Darlington County Park Lake

Located on 178 acres at the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains, Darlington County Park offers three lakes with sandy beaches—two permit swimming and the third allows fishing. Swimming is daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition to white sandy beaches, Darlington offers a wooded picnic area where you can bring your own grill, open lawns, a new children's state-of-the-art playground, tennis and handball courts and bird and wildlife observation.

Although there is no entrance fee to enjoy this county park, there is a fee to swim during swimming season. But Bergen County residents receive a discount with a Bergen County Parks card.

Prices for Bergen County Residents are:

• $10/adult ages 18-61 ($5 w/ reg. card)
• $6/children 5-17 ($3 w/ reg. card)
• $6/seniors 62+ ($2 w/ reg. card)

Darlington County Park is located at 600 Darlington Ave. in Mahwah.

Highlands  Natural Pool in Ringwood

Throughout the years, many Fort Lee residents, including police officers and firemen, have moved from Fort Lee to Ringwood so many of you are probably familiar with his pool.

The hidden gem of the Wyanokie Highlands, the Highlands Natural Pool is an Olympic-sized pool carved out of the hillside. It’s a stream-fed freshwater pool that uses no chemicals and is located right next door to the Weis Ecology Center. 

The pool grounds include a picnic and barbecue area as well as a baseball field, volleyball court, ping-pong tables and over 21 miles of pristine hiking trails. 

Membership is available to everyone, but daily visits, called provisional memberships, are allowed.

Provisional membership is $10/adult, $3/child for a day at the pool. There is a limit of three such visits per year.

Highlands Natural Pool is located at 180 Snake Den Rd. in Ringwood. 973-835-4299.