For years, the Nonotuck Park pool in Easthampton MA drove lots of business during the summer months. However, after closure at Labor Day 2019, the pool is driving lots of business for a new species: weeds. Throughout 2020, the pool was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, despite the CDC stating that swimming was lower risk at the time, and throughout 2021, the pool was also closed but for a new reason: lifeguard shortages. This caused the pool to be closed for a second summer in a row, and now, entering the 2022 season, with gates locked and weeds growing throughout, it appears that this will be a THIRD summer without opening, after only 1 lifeguard applied for the job when 7 were needed. However, throughout 2021 and 2022, the splash park has remained open. The pool in itself is becoming an eyesore, which is bad for residents that have to travel further to other town pools that may or may not be open, lake beaches, or an even further drive to an actual beach, which the closest are about 90 minutes away, which all of these options are worse due to high gas prices, although they appear to be coming down. Maybe there will be a surprise opening now, or maybe we'll have to wait until 2023 or possibly later for a reopening, or possibly, it might be closed for good. But for now, with gates locked and weeds growing, it is costing more and more money for the City of Easthampton as revenue is down for the summer season and as the cost for remodeling is increasing with the further decay in the pool.
For now, the pool is simply a storage area. Sad times for the City of Easthampton.
Not just small weeds, it looks like a whole tree or even forest could grow through the concrete at this point. Remember, when humans leave, nature takes over.
Yet another sad picture for the now dilapidated city pool at Nonotuck Park, with the thriving splash pad next door.
Hopefully, relief and reopening comes soon. But for now, it looks bleak for a 2022 reopening.
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