Hoboken Pool Updates: Weehawken Defies DEP; Hoboken Offers New Pool Proposal

HOBOKEN, NJ — As temperatures soar into the 80s in Hoboken — and are expected to reach 90 this coming week — Hoboken offered updates on the future of pool development and announced pool hours to come at Hoboken High School.

Those hoping to swim at a public pool this weekend will have to head to another Hudson County town. But the closest out-of-town pool, a mile away in Weehawken, offers only season passes for Hoboken residents while continuing to buck a state requirement to offer day passes as well, for occasional use.

The state provided $4 million in Green Acres funding for the pool complex, meaning the town has to open it to all New Jersey residents. According to DEP rules, if the pool sells season passes, it must also offer day passes for those who want to visit only occasionally.

Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner recently told NJ.com that the majority of out-of-town pool visitors come from Hoboken, but that he's not fond of the day pass idea.

"The problem with DEP is first of all, they’ve never had to run a pool that’s as popular as this one and secondly, they’re not flexible enough to allow us to experiment,” Turner said.

Last week, Councilman Phil Cohen, in his newsletter, listed the hours and season pass rates for the Weehawken pool.

"I have discussed these issues with Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and am pleased that Hoboken’s residents have this opportunity to enjoy this Hudson River waterfront pool complex this summer," he said. When asked which "issues" he discussed and whether he discussed the day pass issue, he didn't respond.

Patch also reached out to the city on Wednesday night to find out when pool hours would be announced for Hoboken High School, and if low-cost swim lessons would be offered this year.

Patch received no reply, but the next day, the pool hours were announced.

[RELATED: Try This Free Pool/Water Park In Union City]

A Pool To Come, And Hoboken High School Pool Hours

The city announced Thursday that a new pool complex will be built at the Hoboken Multi-Service center at 124 Grand St. (This is separate from the announcement about the 800 Monroe St.complex and potential pool there last month.)

The city is seeking feedback to help choose one of three plans, all of which have a pool. Get the plan details here.

You can fill out the survey through July 14 here.

Meanwhile, the city noted on Thursday that there will be more hours for the community at the Hoboken High School pool this summer than last summer. Signups for a slot begin this coming Monday, July 3.

Here are the details from the city's announcement:

The Hoboken High School indoor pool will be open to residents this July and August through a partnership between the City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Board of Education.

From July 10 through July 27, the pool, located at 800 Clinton St., will be open Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

From July 31 through August 10, the pool will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Participants must first register to utilize the pool at Hoboken.RecDesk.com. Registration will open on Monday, July 3, at 9 a.m.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or have a waiver from their parent or legal guardian to use the pool without an adult present.

The pool capacity is capped at 20 swimmers, and access will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. A lifeguard will be on duty during all open hours.

Background

Weehawken Town Administrator Gio Ahmad told Patch last month that for summer 2023, the Weehawken pool would be open to all New Jersey residents for free through June 23. But the town's subsequent announcement of a season pass-only system received some criticism from some Hoboken residents as well as some in Weehawken.

Last year, when Hoboken residents were finally allowed into the Weehawken pool for mornings in August, several city officials thanked each other as well as Weehawken's mayor, which drew some jeers.

If Weehawken did not open it to non-residents they would lose Green Acre funds. Weehawken had to do this to get their $4mil. — Paul Presinzano 1st Ward City Council Candidate (@presinzano4hob1) August 4, 2022

Earlier this month, Hoboken spokesperson Marilyn Baer said, "The administration has reached out to Weehawken to ensure residents have access to the pool and will continue to advocate on behalf of residents. The City continues to partner with Stevens Institute if Technology to ensure residents can access their pool year-round through several membership options."

Read Patch's past coverage of the fight for a pool in Hoboken, the new Weehawken pool, and related issues here.