City and state officials have broken ground on a $13.4 million project to renovate the Haffen Park Pool Complex in Baychester.
The reconstruction will modernize the aging complex with a full rebuild of the bathhouse, upgraded pool infrastructure, and new ADA-accessible features aimed at improving access and safety for Bronx residents.
Plans include renovated locker rooms, showers, and restrooms, along with new lighting, furnishings, and upgraded mechanical systems. The pool deck will be fully reconstructed, and the filtration system will be replaced with modern equipment housed in a new enclosure designed to improve maintenance and efficiency.
The project is being funded through a $5 million grant from the state’s New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, along with $8.4 million from Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office.
“This project at Haffen Park will transform a long-standing recreational center into a modern, accessible facility that will continue to serve Bronx families for generations to come,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
“Through our Unplug and Play initiative, we are continuing to create opportunities for New Yorkers to stay active, connect with their communities and enjoy the outdoors.”
Opened in 1972, the Haffen Pool complex includes an intermediate pool and a wading pool and serves an average of 18,000 swimmers each summer. The upcoming reconstruction represents the first significant capital investment in the site since its opening.
“For the past fifty years Haffen Pool has been a cornerstone of summer life in the East Bronx, but it hasn’t seen a major upgrade until today,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.
“This project is about more than modernizing a facility — it’s about delivering a safe, accessible, and welcoming space where New Yorkers can cool off, connect with their community, and learn important water safety skills.”
Local and state officials, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Councilmember Kevin C. Riley, joined the groundbreaking ceremony alongside NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte, DASNY CEO Roberto Rodriguez, and Bronx Community Board 12 District Manager George Torres.
Heastie said the plan to renovate Haffen Pool has been years in the making, dating back to the administrations of former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Haffen Pool will be closed during construction and is expected to reopen by summer 2027.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
