A Pool Floats in Brooklyn - Plus Pool Project Breaks Ground (Project Status Update)

In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, Kara Meyer, Managing Director of +POOL, joins the show to provide a long-awaited progress update on one of the most ambitious public pool projects ever conceived — a floating, water-filtering pool in New York City’s East River.

First imagined as a bold design concept to reconnect New Yorkers with their waterways, +POOL has evolved into a real, under-construction civic project. What began as a visionary idea has moved through years of engineering studies, regulatory hurdles, fundraising efforts, and public policy breakthroughs — and is now entering a tangible new phase in Brooklyn.

Kara shares how the original concept has been refined for its first pilot installation, why the design evolved from early renderings, and what it actually takes to build a swimmable structure in a tidal, urban river environment. The conversation explores how +POOL’s filtration system differs from traditional swimming pools, how it uses the river itself as part of the experience, and the engineering and environmental innovation required to make that possible.

Beyond the technical challenges, the episode examines the broader mission behind the project. +POOL represents more than a place to swim — it’s an effort to restore public access to water, reshape how cities think about waterfront infrastructure, and create a new model for blending public funding, private fundraising, and community engagement.

Kara discusses the regulatory barriers the team has worked to unlock, the policy shifts the project has helped influence in New York City, and what those changes could mean for future water-based public initiatives. The conversation also touches on education, youth programming, environmental awareness, and the cultural impact of reconnecting a city to the river that runs through it.

With construction underway and timelines becoming clearer, this episode offers a detailed look at where +POOL stands today — and what success could look like five to ten years from now.

Send us Fan Mail

Aquamatic Cover Systems
Aquamatic Cover Systems are the industry leaders in retractable swimming pool safety cover systems.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube