The Highlands Natural Pool is a recreational outdoor
swimming pool that is fed by stream water from the Wyanokie Highlands in the
Norvin Green State Forest
Norvin Green State Forest is a state forest in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, United States, near the Wanaque Reservoir. It is part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion. The forest is accessible by foot only; it is part of the Wyanokie Wi ...
. The pool is located in
Ringwood,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. The pool is not chemically treated, contains aquatic life, and is surrounded by gardens, trees and plenty of shade. Annual memberships and daily visitors passes are available to the general public.
History
In 1921, Camp Midvale was founded as a haven for working people seeking refuge, recreation, community, and nature by a group of outdoor enthusiasts called the Nature Friends (
Naturfreunde
Friends of Nature (international abbreviation: NFI, for German: Naturfreunde International) is a non-profit organisation with a background in the social democratic movement, which aims to make the enjoyment of nature accessible to the wider commun ...
). In 1935, Nature Friends volunteers carved the present swimming pool out of the hillside by hand.
In 1974, the Metropolitan Recreation Association, a successor group of the Nature Friends, donated the Camp Midvale property to the Ethical Culture Society, because they were unable to financially maintain it, and most of the wooded area of over was placed under the New Jersey Green Acres program, to be preserved from development in perpetuity.
Ethical Culture members Walter and May Weis endowed money to the remaining developed part of the property in order to realize their dream of preserving land for the purpose of environmental education. Thus the Weis Ecology Center (WEC), a private, non-profit organization, was created to offer the public a unique opportunity to learn about the Northern New Jersey Highlands Region.
The WEC was then taken over by the New Jersey Audubon Society who closed the pool in 1994.
In 1995, New Jersey Audubon agreed to allow the community to open the pool and in 1996, The Community Association of the Highlands incorporated, reopening the site as the Highlands Natural Pool. In 1998, NJAS/WEC formally donated the pool to the community.
Operation
The pool is generally open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day until July, daily through Labor Day, and on weekends in September. Annual memberships and daily visitor passes are available to the general public.
Lifeguards are on duty during pool hours. Amenities include a shower, changing rooms, restrooms, a picnic grove, and a small concession stand selling snacks and drinks. Alcohol is prohibited on pool grounds. To help preserve the sense of nature surrounding the pool, no radios or amplified music are allowed.
See also
*
Norvin Green State Forest
Norvin Green State Forest is a state forest in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, United States, near the Wanaque Reservoir. It is part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion. The forest is accessible by foot only; it is part of the Wyanokie Wi ...
External links
Highlands Natural Pool website
* ttp://www.highlandsnaturefriends.org/ The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreationbr>Ringwood Manor HistorySnake Den Road
Local community web site.
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Buildings and structures in Passaic County, New Jersey
Ringwood, New Jersey
Swimming venues in New Jersey
Tourist attractions in Passaic County, New Jersey
Swimming in New Jersey