Go Home


NOW SERVING MONTCLAIR, GLEN RIDGE AND BLOOMFIELD
daily dish

August  12

Their Pool Kicks Our Pools' A--

Cactus2No, this picture was not taken at some tony resort in Scottsdale, AZ. In fact it was taken less than eight miles drive from Baristaville proper in Maplewood. Color us green, or maybe pool water aqua. We've always heard rumors of a superior pool experience at the Maplewood Community Pool, but after reading in the Star Ledger that the pool now has a concession stand serving lobster rolls and crabcakes, we kind of lost it. We had to see with our own eyes, to believe this wasn't just some suburban legend. And see we did. The Maplewood pool is a sprawling complex with its own parking lot and four (count 'em!) four pools. The first is a huge toddler pool and play area close to the concession and changing rooms (curtained booths with adjacent showers -- how civilized!). Then there's another huge pool for younger kids. Then what may be one of the biggest pools we've ever seen for everyone else. Then a fourth pool for divers. The whole area is ringed with grassy hills, Adirondack chairs, trees and shade decks. To see more of the pool (and the lobster roll) that should be ours (hmm...would the old community hospital have been big enough?), read on. Then tell us, if you could build your dream pool anywhere in Baristaville, where would it be, whose food would be in the concession stand, would there be pool boys, etc...

p>Lobsterroll_1 

Verdantpool_1 Umbrellas Alfrescoeats_2 Adirondack Redhats_1 Kiddiepool

August 12, 2005 in Our Favorite Diversions | Permalink

Comments

Yeah, but I bet they don't have THREE Certified Tree Experts like we do!

Cary

Posted by: Cary | Aug 12, 2005 11:30:39 AM

And the $64 question Barista - all this at what fee?

Enquiring minds, you know...

Posted by: waves2ya | Aug 12, 2005 11:30:39 AM

I envision large fake palm trees (but well-made), BIG lobster roll sandwiches and a Sushi bar serving lots of cucumber rolls and veggie food AND fish.

Certain town developers and slum lords would be forced to fan me with large palm leaves. And wait on me for my every need. Also ROC (Right of Center) would be my personal servant for any trivial errands.

Posted by: quaker-oats | Aug 12, 2005 11:32:47 AM

Just called -- $280 for a family membership and $180 for a single...

Posted by: Liz | Aug 12, 2005 11:35:35 AM

$280 isnt's bad for that at all.

GR charges $700 for a family, and has no palm trees!

Posted by: State Street Pete | Aug 12, 2005 12:20:39 PM

It makes Montclair's pool look like holes in the ground.

Posted by: gg | Aug 12, 2005 12:51:46 PM

Maybe their taxes are higher.

Oh wait; nope.

Posted by: Gonzo Journalist | Aug 12, 2005 12:58:33 PM

That is gorgeous!! And for $280 a family! What is Montclair's problem?

Last week we went to the West Caldwell pool with some friends who live there. While not quite as nice as the one pictured, it left Montclair in the dust-- beautiful big pool and large toddler pool, lots of grass and trees (not just a narrow edge of concrete), comfortable chairs, many umbrellas, a concession stand. Compared to Montclair, it felt like a country club. However, it was something like $450-480 per family, which I would think is out of the range of some Montclair incomes.

Echoing-- how does Maplewood do it?

Posted by: latebloomer | Aug 12, 2005 1:09:24 PM

How far is this pool?, Do they accept new members?, Why aren't we all going there?

It's better, cheaper, but further....hmmmm. tough one.

Posted by: grme | Aug 12, 2005 1:10:23 PM

Perhaps we should raise taxes for people who live "on the hill" to pay for nicer pools. Or maybe we could get big fat donations in exchange for the right to name a pool and put up a bronze bust.

Posted by: walleroo | Aug 12, 2005 1:19:00 PM

I posed a piece ripping the pathetic state of Montclair's public pools months ago. Ed. R. was quick to respond that an overhaul is "long overdue," or words to the effect, and that a study is about to start this Summer of where we go from here. Where I'm going is to the Beach Club hopefully. I'm sure the news pools will be lovely in 2015.

Posted by: montclair_is_crazy | Aug 12, 2005 3:27:53 PM

Why join the Maplewood pool when we can have it all right here in Montclair? 300$ sushi dinners...

/grabowsky

Posted by: Marshall | Aug 12, 2005 5:01:14 PM

As a resident of West Caldwell, I would like to clarify that our membership for the town pool(s) is only $330 per family. The annual fee is for two town pools which residents of Caldwell and Roseland can join for slightly higher fees. The pools are nice and well maintained. Taxes are much better up this way as well!

Posted by: witchypoo | Aug 12, 2005 8:12:58 PM

Montclair only charges $50/adult, $35/child (under 18), $15/Senior Citizen and $150/family. The public should be able to afford public facilities. $280 is a little steep, $700 is outrageous.

They should also be open when the public can use them. Why can't Montclair keep one pool open until 8:00 during the week so that tax paying commuters can use it?

Posted by: Bitpusher | Aug 12, 2005 8:28:12 PM

All fine and dandy - yes, the grass looks greener (and the pool more blue) on the other side of the fence ... and then I see those last two pictures ... and I think that maybe too many lobster rolls and fries are being served ...

Posted by: Slim | Aug 12, 2005 9:09:50 PM

Surely I'm not the only soul out there who thinks that "Slim" was being a bit rough above. In a misguided attempt to be cutting. (Which should now lead to an extended discussion of "looksism," and to more above-it-all wheeze from Franklin.)

Posted by: cathar | Aug 12, 2005 10:54:48 PM

Wow, you're right, they really are porkers. Oops, sorry... What I meant to say is that I find those photos offensive, lacking in sensivity and cultural competence.

Posted by: walleroo | Aug 12, 2005 11:20:43 PM

We have talked a little about this topic. There is some agreement that the town does not need three public pools. Especially with private pools providing a good service for montclair residents. In addition to raising the fees we can develop two of pools into luxury condos and put the raised funds into one beautiful pool facility. It would be sound economic development. Frankly, we just do not have the money in the budget for three nice public pools that rival the pools you folks like.

A view from church street

Posted by: Sebastian | Aug 12, 2005 11:38:59 PM

What about all you guys "on the hill"? Have you forsaken us little folk? Why, a couple of you could get together over martinis and cigars and write the check like that! Where's some of that generosity we're always hearing so much about?

Posted by: walleroo | Aug 13, 2005 12:07:30 AM

Hey, how come you only posted pix of people wearing black bathing suits?...Isn't this just a wee bit biased?.../snark


Anyway, that looks like a gorgeous pool...love the cacti!

Posted by: Miss Martta | Aug 13, 2005 6:10:33 AM

Speaking of the cacti, how do they maintain it during the cold months?

Posted by: Renae | Aug 13, 2005 6:44:11 AM

Hmm ... more photos of UMBRELLAS!

Posted by: Chris | Aug 13, 2005 7:53:25 AM

Re the cacti: probably like beaches and bars on the Jersey shore always do with those palm trees you see down the shore, they dump them off come autumn and buy new ones in the spring. Which, I realize, is culturally insensitive to our cacti brothers. Thus calls for a seminar on succulent sensitivity.

Posted by: cathar | Aug 13, 2005 11:27:08 AM

"Thus calls for a seminar on succulent sensitivity."

OMG! LOL! :D

Posted by: Surrounded | Aug 14, 2005 12:28:31 AM

What is the attraction of a community pool or pool club? We have a pool in our yard and I love it. If I/we feel like having company at the pool, we do. And when I feel like going in, all alone in the morning and enjoying the solitude, I can. The kids can swim at midnight if that's their desire (never closed for swim meets, etc).

Is it a question of cost, space, maintenance, socialization?

Posted by: Wondering... | Aug 14, 2005 11:48:46 AM

Click & Jump to our INSIDE PAGES:
CLASSIFIEDS
THRILLS
FOOD
AT HOME

» RECENT POSTS
· In Case You Don't Look at Our Announcement Box
· Window Painting
· Flatulent Friar
· Ballyowen -- The Best $140 a NJ Golfer Can Spend
· Corzine Budget Gets MSU Calling For Action
· Open Space Call For Action
· Closed For Renovations?
· Thrill Seekers
· Heroic Dudes
· Making Montclair's History Demo-Proof


» ARCHIVES
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004


» CATEGORIES
A Friend Writes
April Fool's!
Bada Bing
Barista Does the Math
Barista's Sunday Poll
Betty Says
Books
Brand New
Buzz
Cheap
Civic Virtue
Comings and Goings
Controversy
Correction
Culture Club
Current Affairs
Cute as Hell
Don't Ask: Dating in Baristaville
Film
Flu Shot Central
Food and Drink
Footlights
From the Crazy Mixed-Up Files of Raymmmondo
Froth
Funniest Home Videos
Games
Good Reads by Neil Baldwin
Goodbyes
Growing pains
Happenings
Hardball
Help Your Barista!
In Your Dreams
Intersections We Hate
Java
Karma Violation
Lights! Camera! Craft service!
Lights, Camera..... Roll Tape
Major Dudes
Marlboro Inn
Memorials
Mexican
Movie Mojo
Music
Only in Montclair
Our Favorite Diversions
Paranoia Beat
Parties We Crashed
Party With Baristanet
Photo of the Week
Politics
Pop Culture
Postcards from the EB
R.I.P.
Really Freaking Weird
Scandal
Science
Scooped by Phil Read, Again
Scot's Photo Journal
Seasonal Decorating Violation
Seen around town
Seen in Cyberspace
Sheesh!
Shopping With Barista
Sirens
Songs We Can't Get Out of Our Head
Sports
Suburban Archeologist
SUV-bashing
Television
The Daily Chat
The Sunday Barista Poll
The View from Her Pickup
Theater
Those Crazy Kids
Time Capsule
Tweaked
We All Bow to Java
We Ask Random Strangers
Web/Tech
Weblogs
Where For Art Thou?
Wildlife
Win Stuff
Yard Sale Treasure Map
Yogi