Construction Continues Around Weehawken Waterfront Recreation & Swimming Complex

Photo Credits:  Township of Weehawken                                                                                                                                                                                     Weehawken’s magnificent waterfront swimming pool complex opened to rave reviews last summer amid caution due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.  Part of the township’s larger $10.5 million waterfront recreation complex overlooking the Manhattan skyline, the swimming complex has four components; a lap pool, regular pool, splash park and wading pool.

Currently open only to Weehawken residents, some out of town residents are asking why they cannot use the swimming complex, especially considering it was partially paid for using New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres funds.  In addition, the recreation complex is also funded by Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund money and fees by property developers.

In a telephone interview with Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, the Mayor says the site is still undergoing major construction expansion adjacent to the pool complex, with a developer building housing that will include more than one hundred parking spaces.  The township also has to reinforce the shoreline surrounding the waterfront cove and build a pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides of the property.

Mayor Turner would not comment on a report that the DEP is asking the township to provide out of town residents access to the swimming complex “within a reasonable amount of time.”  He would not confirm whether the state has given Weehawken a deadline to provide access to non-Weehawken residents.

According to an article published by TAPintoHoboken, “Consistent with Green Acres rules, the Department has provided guidance that Weehawken must provide reasonable public access to the pool to nonresidents,” according to DEP spokesperson Caryn Shinske, who added the department “is aware of concerns about non-resident access” to the pool in Weehawken.

For now, Turner says the township is concerned with additional people having access because the surrounding area is a construction site and there is limited parking due to the work.  He says construction may force closure of the pool at any point during the summer for safety concerns.

For now though, the pool will be open only on weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) until June 24.  Beginning June 24, the pool will then be open 7 days a week during the regular season for township residents.