Hackettstown vs Chester pool (Long Valley: camp, live in, price)

[pipe]

Hi there,

I guess I am trying to have warm thoughts but.... I live in Long Valley (since late August) and was wondering which pool is best.
I know Chester is way pricier, is there any differences/benefits to joining there vs more affordable Hackettstown? Is there swim lessons available for both?
snack stands? crowded? enough chairs? etc. etc.

Thanks!

[DMPeatyourveggies]

I live in LV and join Hackettstown Pool every year. To answer your questions: there is a snack bar there (casual fare) and the snack bar has tables with umbrellas and chairs. Around the pool area, you must bring your own chair(s). There are shady and sunny areas, and a number of permanent metal umbrellas, to sit under. The pool is well maintained. There are changing rooms. They offer excellent swim lessons in the morning. Depending on the time of day and the weather, the pool might be fairly crowded, or almost empty. The Hackettstown Pool is public, the Chester Pool is private, and I assume has more of an "elite" factor. I was under the impression that out-of-towners could not join Chester, but I could be wrong. Hackettstown will let visitors in for a daily minimal fee ($5. weekdays, $10. weekends, less for children) and so you could try it early in the season before you join. I don't think that option exists at Chester but they may let you look around. I join Hackettstown Pool every year, because I don't want to pay the high price at Chester. I actually have my own backyard pool, but I like to go there and meet up with friends. Hope this helps!

[big daryle]

Originally Posted by pipe

Hi there,

I guess I am trying to have warm thoughts but.... I live in Long Valley (since late August) and was wondering which pool is best.
I know Chester is way pricier, is there any differences/benefits to joining there vs more affordable Hackettstown? Is there swim lessons available for both?
snack stands? crowded? enough chairs? etc. etc.

Thanks!

Is the huge Mars candy factory still running in Hackettstown? Do they pay well?

[pipe]

Thanks! That really helps! I probably will go the hackettstown route.

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by big daryle

Is the huge Mars candy factory still running in Hackettstown? Do they pay well?

Yes, still there and running. No idea of the pay.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by pipe

Thanks! That really helps! I probably will go the hackettstown route.

I just saw the following on the Chester website:

"Membership is open to both Chester Borough and Chester Township residents."

No mention of LV residents being eligible.

I can say a lot of LV families join H'town pool. I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was the first time I went there. My kids go all the time with camp (when it's crowded it's because of those darn camp kids) and they love it - especially the dive pool.

It's very reasonable too, even for out of town residents.

[3ofakind]

Hi,
My family lives in Long Valley and we are members of the Chester Pool, along with many, many other Long Valley families. The Chester pool is open to Long Valley residents at the same price as Chester residents. It is more expensive then Hackettstown, but it is so worth it. It never gets crowded like the Hackettstown pool. The bathrooms/change room are very clean. You are allowed to bring in your own snacks and drinks and eat them anywhere. They provide lounge chairs and picnic tables. The playground is inside the pool area, which is great when you have more then one child and they want to do different things. They also allow all types of flotation devices (arm swimmies, bubbles, life jackets, kick boards, baby rings) and toys (dive sticks, noodles, etc.). Hackettstown does not allow any flotation devices or toys. You can not bring in food and the playground is outside the pool area. I love the swim lessons at Hackettstown, which I still do because even for non-members its a great bargain. However, for the everyday fun I go to Chester. The only down side to Chester is they don't have a dive pool, but they so have an actual twisting water slide. I would say half the people who beong to Chester are from Long Valley. Hope that helps.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by 3ofakind

Hi,
My family lives in Long Valley and we are members of the Chester Pool, along with many, many other Long Valley families. The Chester pool is open to Long Valley residents at the same price as Chester residents. It is more expensive then Hackettstown, but it is so worth it. It never gets crowded like the Hackettstown pool. The bathrooms/change room are very clean. You are allowed to bring in your own snacks and drinks and eat them anywhere. They provide lounge chairs and picnic tables. The playground is inside the pool area, which is great when you have more then one child and they want to do different things. They also allow all types of flotation devices (arm swimmies, bubbles, life jackets, kick boards, baby rings) and toys (dive sticks, noodles, etc.). Hackettstown does not allow any flotation devices or toys. You can not bring in food and the playground is outside the pool area. I love the swim lessons at Hackettstown, which I still do because even for non-members its a great bargain. However, for the everyday fun I go to Chester. The only down side to Chester is they don't have a dive pool, but they so have an actual twisting water slide. I would say half the people who beong to Chester are from Long Valley. Hope that helps.

Just make sure you get there before the German's set their towels down

[cz12345]

Chester Pool
it is a different world there vs hackettstown