Never underestimate the healing powers of the calm part of the Hudson River where the River Pool at Beacon is anchored. A pastime from the 19th Century, riverpools were established as a free way for New Yorkers to cool off in the water. At one point, health advocates called for municipally owned baths, according to NYC Parks.

Once the Hudson River got contaminated by businesses dumping waste into it, the riverpools were lifted out starting in the 1920s, with the last one leaving near 1940. Thanks to the work of local advocate and world-wide star musician Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi, the Hudson River in our parts underwent a major cleaning. The work still continues, as do blockades of no more waste being dumped into it (see Holtec’s continued attempts to dump radioactive waste into the Hudson River, and the people’s strong and consistent fight to keep that from happening…just follow press releases from River Keeper and get involved).

About The Riverpool At Beacon

It’s fun to go to the Riverpool at Beacon because it is so shallow. You’ll be sitting with the vegetation in the Hudson River. Will you feel fish? Maybe, but probably not. According to the Riverpool at Beacon’s organizers: “The pool is secured to the river bottom by elastic hawsers that allow the pool to rise and fall with the tide so that it maintains a constant depth of 24 to 30 inches.” It has a net bottom, so your feet will be touching knotted ropes.

“The pool bottom is made of a high-strength Dyneema netting that allows people to safely walk on the pool floor without contacting the river bottom or vegetation.” Adults will find themselves waste-deep in this water. Tall kids will be able to walk around. It’s a great experience for kids to acclimate to water depth with a colorful bench nearby.

The pool is free! And does not require any reservations. Says one young person who has been trying to find a public pool: “When you come in, you don’t have to give the people your cards.” True. You can just walk down to the Beacon Riverpool and step in. There is a lifeguard on duty. The pool is closed when there is no lifeguard.

The Riverpool at Beacon is located at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park. To help this all continue, donate to the Beacon Riverpool today.

The Newburgh to Beacon Swim - Fundraiser for Riverpool at Beacon

The River Swim, the great annual swimming event from Newburgh to Beacon, is a anticipated challenge for many each year. Several have wanted to attempt it, and some have actually committed to it. As one of the Riverpool’s fundraisers, swimmers register for a fee, and then raise sponsorships to support them.

The River Swim is on Saturday, August 5, 2023, with a Rain date of Sunday, Aug 6, 2023. Learn more about it here.