Lincoln Park Pool
Albany, N.Y.
NICHOLAS NEWBOLD/ COURTESY WESTON & SAMPSON
- Landscape Architect: Weston & Sampson
- Aquatic Consultant/Designer: Weston & Sampson
- Pool/Spa/Water Feature Contractor: Norberto Pools
- General Contractor: Jersen Construction Group
This team had the opportunity to preserve a park and pool that had served the community for nearly 100 years.
Lincoln Park Pool opened in 1930, providing residents of Albana, N.Y., with access to swimming and recreation during the Great Depression. At the time, it stood as one of the largest municipal pools in the U.S. The renovation was meant to preserve history while making the most of modern technology, and to serve a population with a high percentage of disadvantaged patrons.
At first, the residents struggled to decide whether to simply restore the 1.7-acre pool as it was, but they decided that would not make sense, considering the level of management, water use, filtration, and safety measures required.
Instead, they decided to use the space for this network of pools. Three water elements were installed in the space previously occupied by the massive elliptical pool. These included a leisure pool, a competition lap pool, a splash pad, and a slide complex, to broaden appeal to as many people as possible.
Taking center stage is the 18,250 sq. ft. beach-entry leisure pool with several spray features. A large, sweeping arc outlines the entrance, maximizing the space to get in and out while honoring the original pool by referencing its contours. A nine-lane competition lap pool with an accessible ramp can serve summer swim programs, while a 6,000 sq. ft. splash pad with a large slide complex draws people from toddlers to adults.
NICHOLAS NEWBOLD/ COURTESY WESTON & SAMPSON
The team included plenty of deck as well as a concession stand for those on a swimming break. The bathhouse was completely renovated to maximize usage.
The original pool sat on a flat area on the side of a hill, so the team had to take site drainage, soil, and subsurface remediation below the new pools seriously. Following the site’s elevation changes, the designers developed a series of retaining walls that created an amphitheater effect, with tiered lawn areas for guests.
The long, sweeping arc of the beach-entry pool recalls
the geometry of
the original pool.
SUPPLIERS:
Lincoln Park Pool
Albany, N.Y.
- Circulation systems, gutters: Paddock gutters
- Controller/control system: BECSYS
- Filtration: Neptune Benson/Xylem
- Interactive Water Features: Waterplay
- Pool Cleaner: Maytronics
- Pumps: Pentair/Aurora
- Racing Lanes: Paragon
- Slides: Splashtacular
