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THE HIGHLANDS NATURAL POOL 180 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ
highlandsnaturalpool.org (973) 835-4299
“We are not just a pool, we are a Community.”
Walk down a winding woodland path to find, nestled
among poplars and tall evergreens, the hidden gem of the highlands. . . The Highlands Natural Pool. An oasis less than one hour from NYC is located by the
former Audubon/Weis Ecology Center near the Wanaque Reservoir in NW New Jersey. The Olympic size, stream-fed freshwater chemical-free pool is surrounded by poplars, ever- greens and stone retaining walls. This summer paradise, open from Memorial Day Weekend through the end of September, is a great family friendly place to swim in a natural setting, during hot summer months. What’s Available at the Highlands Natural Pool? The pool, which is tested weekly by the Health
Department, has a safe, fenced-in cement bottom area for chil- dren and their caretakers. With a sandbox and climbing toys this section is often pleasantly lively and active. The deep water section, which starts at five feet and slopes to ten, tends to be more tranquil and serene with chaise lounges available for relaxing by the pool, well away from a low diving board enthusiastically used by young people. The lawn by the pool has both areas of sun and shade with tables, chairs and umbrel- las that can also easily accommodate a blanket or folding chair. They have put in a lush garden, a paved path, bathrooms
and changing rooms to accommodate members and guests. You can bring a picnic or purchase items from their food stand which stocks old favorites as well as organic and vegetarian alternatives. There are also additional tables for picnicking and grills for barbequing outside the pool area. The pool is adja- cent to the Norvin Green State Forest with its miles of hiking trails & access to volleyball, ping-pong tables and a grass recreation field. Programs at the Highlands Natural Pool
The Highlands Natural Pool, celebrating its 20th year,
offers swimming lessons, a lifeguard training course, a Yoga class, and has scheduled two Herbal walks with Robin Rose Bennett (on July 5th andAugust 1st) and a Poetry workshop (on Sunday, July 26th). For updates, additional events and activities, check out their website or the gate at the pool. Held at the Pool: Small group swimming lessons for
children will be held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning July 7th for four weeks. They also offer private individualized swimming lessons for both children and adults with their experienced swimming instructor. Rates are very reasonable and you can take as few or as many private lessons as you need, tailored to your schedule. If you know how to swim, this could be an excellent opportunity to improve your stroke or learn a new one. Starting July 11th they offer a certified American Red
Cross Life Guard Training Course. Many of their current life guards went through the course, having learned to swim in the pool as children. (Here’s the “community” that they refer to!)
Off site: Get healthy while supporting the pool! On the
first Sunday of each month from 10:30-11:30am they offer a Gyrokinesis Yoga class (a.k.a. chair yoga), with Joe Nies, DC. Gyrokinesis is a class for everybody. Developed for dancers, it is a fluid non-weight bearing yoga for the spine. This chair form of yoga focuses on opening up the joints and
muscles from the inside outward through movement. The seat- ed class is gentle enough for a non-mover and yet can work deep enough for a very active individual, providing a versatile form of cross-training suitable for all ages! Classes are held at: Essence of SelfAyurvedicWellness Spa, 52 Skyline Drive, Ringwood, NJ. The cost $10 a class, all of which is generous- ly donated to the pool; the Instructor donates his time and the yoga center donates the space free of charge! For further infor- mation, or to take a class, please leave a message at (973) 427-2594.
Pool Season and Hours The pool is located at 180 Snake Den Road (off of
Westbrook Road) in Ringwood, New Jersey near the Wanaque Reservoir. The pool is openMemorial Day Weekend
through the end of September. OpenWeekends only:
May 23rd through June 21st & in September from 11am – 7pm. Open Daily:
From June 22nd through August 2nd Weekdays from 11am to 8pm Weekends from 10am to 8pm
From August 3rd through September 7th (Labor Day) Weekdays from 11am to 7pm Weekends from 10am to 7pm
They make every effort to stay open, even if it rains,
unless there is thunder or lightening for which they close the pool and reopen when it is safe. They recommend calling if you’re unsure of the weather. They may have sunshine while it’s raining where you are and vice versa.
Entry to the Pool The pool is sustained by its paid memberships, as well as
donations, and volunteer workers. Visitors are welcome. For a modest day fee ($10 per adult, children $3 or teenagers $5) you can become a Provisional Member, spend the day and try them out. Day passes are available for three visits per family per season, then they will ask you to become a member. Their reasonable annual memberships for a family, an individual or a senior or senior family, are open to all. Groups are also welcome at the pool, but group’s larger
than 20 people should call the pool and register in advance. For directions, questions, history of the pool and some cool
photos, check out their website
highlandsnaturalpool.org or call the pool at (973) 835-4299 and leave a message with your name and contact number. If you haven’t visited in a while take the time and see all
the improvements they’ve put in from the beautiful gardens and engraved brick path, to the diving board and new bath- rooms. If you’ve never visited, check out their website and fol- low the signs to the delicious waters of the Highlands Natural Pool. You’ll be glad you did!
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