New York is making waves with the announcement of a visionary project that aims to create the first urban river-sourced swim facility in the United States. The project is called + POOL, and it’s set to revolutionize New York’s swimming scene in a move that champions clean water access and environmental restoration.

Rumors of a new plus sign-shaped pool coming to the East River have been *floating* around for some time, but plans were officially approved and given the green light last week in an announcement by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams.

Apart from its visual design, what makes + POOL stand out is its state-of-the-art filtration system. The floating pool will not only serve as a swimming oasis but will also filter over a million gallons of water each day through its walls. It’s a game-changer, offering configurations for various activities from lap swimming to family fun, all while meeting stringent water quality standards.

+ POOL is part of the new NY Swims initiative—also announced last week—that plans to build out new municipal pools across the state, increase the number of parks, pools, and beaches that offer swimming Instruction, train and recruit new lifeguards, and launch historic investments in New York State’s Parks System. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted its significance in historically marginalized communities, bringing more recreational opportunities and resources to underserved areas.

The city plans to test a version of +POOL and its filtration system this summer with a smaller demonstration of the proposed 9,000-square-foot version. No location has been announced yet, but if everything goes according to plan, New Yorkers will be swimming under the skyline by summer 2025.

Find more information and updates on + POOL here.