Riverpool.org

Riverpool at Beacon is a wading pool in the Hudson River with majestic views of the Hudson Highlands and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The Great Newburgh to Beacon Swim occurs every July to help raise funds to support this community gem. Emphasis on public safety, environmental sensitivity, and challenges presented by the river, will continue to be at the forefront of present and future River Pool at Beacon projects. . The late Pete Seeger, American folk singer and social activist – founding member of the organization, was an environmentalist and environmental justice advocate who understood the transforming power of immersion in nature. Environmental and Social Justice were important motivators for Pete in his dream of the River Pool. He believed that river stewardship begins with being on, near, and in the river. The floating River Pool presents just such opportunities. Five years after submitting plans to the state for construction, the River Pool at Beacon officially opened to swimmers mid summer 2007. This exciting and innovative structure is intended to provide a safe area for swimming and wading in the Hudson River for people of all ages and to promote use, awareness and stewardship of the Hudson River. The first phase of the River Pool is a 20’ prototype wading pool, which will be used to test the concepts and materials. A larger, full use swimming pool will be constructed during Phase 2. The twofold joy of the pool–allowing its users to enjoy a cool river swim on a hot summer day while carrying forward Pete and Toshi Seeger’s vision–has been experienced by its wide community of supporters in the Hudson Valley. About 15,000 people have swum in the floating pool during the past years. Volunteers install the pool each June and take it out of the river in September.