The Bronx Home to Nation's Sole Floating Swimming Facility

Tucked away in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx, Barretto Point Park hosts a unique piece of maritime infrastructure: the Floating Pool Lady. As the only facility of its kind currently operating in the United States, the pool is housed within a retrofitted cargo barge, offering a distinct alternative to traditional land-based swimming venues.

According to historical records, the concept of floating baths in New York City dates back to 1870, when the city introduced barge-based structures to improve public hygiene. While these early baths utilized river water flowing through slatted wells, the modern iteration is significantly different. The Neptune Foundation, which oversaw the renovation of the current barge in 2007, equipped the facility with a half-Olympic-sized pool that utilizes treated, chlorinated water, eliminating concerns regarding river water quality.

The project is named in honor of urban planner Ann L. Buttenwieser, who advocated for the reintroduction of floating pools to the city’s waterfront for several decades. Originally stationed at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the barge was relocated to its permanent home in the Bronx shortly after its debut.

Visitors to the site can access the pool free of charge during the summer season, with daily operations running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prospective swimmers should note that the facility maintains strict rules regarding personal belongings; while towels are permitted, other items are prohibited in the pool area, and the city does not provide locks. Guests are encouraged to bring their own combination locks to secure their belongings in the provided changing rooms.

While the Floating Pool Lady remains the country’s singular floating pool, the landscape of New York City’s waterfront may soon evolve. Plans for a self-filtering floating pool off Pier 35 have been in development, though the project has faced multiple delays and is not expected to open until at least next year.