To The Editor:

Much gratitude and many accolades to the Princeton Recreation Department!

Always an incredibly efficient and superb provider of vast opportunities for the community, the 2026 Community Pool season posed unusual stress on the entire staff. Their response was immediate and generous and is deserving of extra recognition and praise.

Weather conditions throughout the summer mandated many unexpected closings and reorganizations of staff. The most disruptive and consequential event was the storm on August 27, which filled the large pool with debris and necessitated its closing for the last weeks of the season. It was impossible to drain the pool, successfully clean it, and then refill it in such a short time before the normal Labor Day closing.

The efforts and creativity of the entire staff to make the best of this unfortunate situation was exemplary. They opened the kiddie pool as soon as possible. They used the diving pool — the not damaged pool — to provide opportunities for seniors to still have their early swim time, divers and sliders to have certain times, and the general public as many hours as possible.

This was an amazing effort on the part of administrators, staff, and lifeguards to create and adjust schedules and roles to offer the public the opportunity to enjoy the last days of the season, which otherwise would not have been possible.

Our community is so very fortunate to have this diligent, dedicated, and talented Recreation Department management and staff.

Nancy Hodges

Jackson Avenue