As the planning for the future of Livingston’s community pools stretches through yet another summer with little movement, it is worth taking stock of where we stand. This summer, the Haines pool is open, while the Northland one remains closed. The town is also waiting for proposals for what a new pool complex could look like in town, both in several locations around the current Haines complex, and also at Northland.
A recent article in the Texas Tribune noted that public pools are a necessary community infrastructure. Not only that, but they save lives, both by giving people a place to cool off in a heat wave, and also by reducing the incidents of drowning thanks to the presence of lifeguards (which are typically not present at a home pool). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,500 people drowned annually between 2020 and 2022. Those figures are roughly 500 more per year than 2019 and every year prior. It is no coincidence that those figures have coincided with more closures of public pools.
As of 2023, there were about 309,000 public swimming pools remaining nationwide. A third of them were closed that summer due to low staffing, according to the American Lifeguard Association.
In Livingston, as we have learned through several conversations with officials in recent years, the issue with operating two pools (or even a single pool) is a monetary one. As more people build pools in their own backyards, there are simply not enough people signing up for pool memberships to support upkeep and operation of both the Northfield and Haines pool.
This is a common theme for pool closures across the U.S. Despite public outcry and rising temperatures year over year, pools are being shuttered in lieu of paying for costly repairs and maintenance. For many municipalities, the cost of improving these public assets has outpaced the ability to pay for them.
So, while town officials deliberate what the next step is for Livingston’s pools, we have a suggestion to offer. It is very likely that, for the reasons stated above, the town will end up with a single community pool moving forward. But, perhaps, there is a way to still utilize whichever pool is permanently closed: turning the area into a splash pad.
Splash pads are a cheaper alternative to pools, requiring less maintenance, staff, and water use. They cannot replace a pool, but offer a terrific alternative for children. We have seen the popularity of splash pads firsthand, and think that it would be a great asset for Livingston to consider. Nearby Watsessing Park in East Orange has a free “spray park,” and, while a bit more of a hike, we are particularly fond of the Pirates Cove splash pad at Turkey Brook Park in Mount Olive. Both are regularly packed with happy children enjoying themselves on hot summer days.
So many of us have fond memories of summers spent at Livingston’s community pools. Even for those who have never had a membership, the town has previously opened the pools to the public during particularly bad heat waves, giving everyone a chance to enjoy them.And we at the Tribune absolutely love sharing your best photos of poolside fun each season. While the heyday of Livingston’s pools may be behind us, we look forward to a bright future following these long-discussed renovations. Perhaps adding a splash pad is just the spark needed to rejuvenate these assets and create more cherished memories.
