'Pool Pal' Plans to Bring Pool Access to All Maplewoodians

This summer, the seasonal fee for a family of 3-7 members for the Maplewood Community Pool is $300. While that fee earns you and your family daily entry to the complex of four pools and locker rooms from the third week of June through Labor Day, the fee is still a hardship for many local families in this economy.

That's why Carol and Victor Gallo of Maplewood came up with the idea of "Pool Pals."

The new Pool Pal program offers residents the opportunity to donate money to a fund to pay for memberships for families that are financially challenged. Donations of any amount can be sent to: Pool Pal, C/O Maplewood Recreation Department, 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Checks should be made out to "Township of Maplewood" with "Donation to Pool Pal" written in the memo line.

"I'm sure many people view pool membership as a luxury," explained Carol Gallo, "and it is compared to the basic necessities of food and shelter. But the pool is a municipal resource and my husband and I feel that every family in town should be able to enjoy it."

Gallo noted that both she and her husband grew up in "families where money was tight." The memory of not being able to do something all her friends were doing because of a lack of funds spurred Mrs. Gallo to action. "We also think it's important from a safety perspective that all children learn how to swim," she added.

George Rague, Director of the Maplewood Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, is very enthusiastic about the program. He is actively looking for suggestions of families that might benefit from the new program. You can contact Rague at 973-763-4202 or at his email address. Donations can be kept anonymous per request.

Rague spoke admiringly of the Gallos: "Their idea came from their enjoyment of the pool, understanding the economy and wanting to help neighbors who might not be able to enjoy Maplewood's best facility."

Carol Gallo added, "The idea came to me spontaneously while I was paying my family's own pool membership fee. I knew the fee had to be a real hardship for some people right now, so I asked my husband if he'd be okay with us paying another family's membership. He suggested that there probably was already some kind of fund set up to take donations for this and encouraged me to find out. It turns out there wasn't a program of this sort, so the Recreation Department decided to start one."

"We're fairly new to Maplewood," said Gallo, "We moved here in 2008, and we've really enjoyed the wonderful sense of community this town offers. We hope that the Pool Pal program will further enhance this community feeling for all residents."

Complete rates for the Maplewood Community Pool and online registration can be found on the Township website.