<IPAddress> Forest Swimming Pool </IPAddress>
Construction
At the confluence of two streams, not far from Lidové sady, in the prestigious villa district of Liberec, lies a place with a rich swimming history. The water there is as cold as ice. Every resident of Liberec knows this beauty hidden among centuries-old spruces as the Forest Swimming Pool. A few years ago, we decided to borrow it from the city and build a brand new swimming area nearby. Now I stand on the dam and look at the snow-white building that delicately lines the edge of the forest, waiting for its first visitors, and I tell myself that our effort was worth it.
When we took over the management of the Forest Swimming Pool, we immediately started addressing what and how to do things. We started completely without money, and the only option to improve the swimming area was through volunteer work. So, we took drills and saws – and got to work. With construction boards and battens, we crafted makeshift furniture for a stand that underwent a light facelift. It received a white coat of paint, new equipment, and on the roof appeared the inscription "beer-lemonade" with a large heart that became a symbol of the transformation of the area. We began working on a study and sought funding. A significant portion of the budget came from the city's participatory budget, but a substantial part also came from private donors. Subsequently, we obtained a building permit in May 2022. The first funds were allocated for foundation repairs and a sewage treatment plant. A year later, work began on the superstructure; however, we unfortunately faced a shortage of finances. We accomplished as much as we could with our own strength or through donations from private supporters. The entire situation led to negotiations with the city management about a one-time financial support that would help complete the ongoing construction and open a fully functioning facility in spring 2025. This was successful – the new facilities of the swimming area will now serve the public, which has few options for water activities in Liberec.
Architecture
The new building of the swimming area is not a manifesto of wasting public money. With minimal costs, we succeeded in constructing a public building that would have been very difficult to create without civic initiative for such a low budget. Our contribution was not only physical work but also project and organizational activities related to such a structure. A design was created that focused on being as simple as possible for construction, phaseable, and financially accessible. The wooden structure follows two height levels of the original foundation slab and is the basic functional space of the swimming area. The combined wood construction system of CLT panels and a light beam structure incorporates a storage space, toilets, a sauna with a resting area, and a bistro. The roof, built on a turquoise steel structure, serves as both an umbrella and a sunshade for the swimming area – protecting the building and visitors from bad weather. Under the roof are showers, changing rooms, and lockable lockers.
History
The first mentions of the Forest Swimming Pool date back to the period before World War II and are linked to the "Waldbad in Ruppersdorf" society. In 1934, representatives of the society requested approval for a project to establish a swimming pool. According to available sources, the construction, undertaken by the Preibisch and Reinelt company along with gardener Josef Peschel from Ruprechtice, took place between 1937 and 1940. The Forest Swimming Pool was under construction during World War II. During the war, the premises were used by military units for training, but it also functioned as a place for regular recreation. After the war, work began on completing the complex. The access road was modified, a parking lot was created, and changing cabins and a restaurant were built. The facilities of the swimming pool then stood on the opposite side from today, adjacent to the road. The building that older residents surely remember, which burned down in 2010, was constructed twenty years later. Interestingly, there was also a tank for heating water above the swimming area and a children's paddling pool. The area was closed in 2007, and after the fire, only the original concrete foundation slab remained on site. Following the closure, the place continued to deteriorate until 2016, when its revitalization began. It included the reconstruction of the pool basin and the cultivation of the area. The swimming pool was reopened to the public in 2018. Unfortunately, the first two years were very dry, which affected the quality and quantity of water in the swimming pool. Concurrently with the opening of the swimming pool, a small refreshment stand and chemical toilets were also put into operation. In spring 2020, the area was taken over by the association Lesní koupaliště z.s., marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the swimming pool. This was completed with the opening of the new swimming pool building. It will house the necessary facilities of the area and a sauna that extends usage options even in the colder months. There are plans for further improvements – a children's water feature, lounging stairs, new sports facilities, and much more. The work never ends, and there is still much to look forward to in the future.
Association
Our association Lesní koupaliště z. s. was established at the beginning of 2020 to seek long-term management of the area. Since we care about the city we live in, we tried to acquire this beautiful but neglected corner of Liberec to breathe new swimming spirit into it, which had long been lacking. The Forest Swimming Pool lacked nothing; it just needed a little. After five years of management, we have successfully completed the new facilities, and we are immensely happy about it. We have breathed new life into the Forest Swimming Pool. The swimming pool exists not only thanks to participatory budgets and city support but also because of you. Without private donors and partners, not only would a crucial part of the finances be missing, but also the feeling that our work is meaningful. For the coming years, we have prepared further development activities to ensure that this precious corner of the city can continue to grow. However, our mission does not end with the construction of the swimming pool. We keep going. Thus, we clean, cut, prune, draw, permit, oversee, and plan. If you want to help us, we would be happy – reach out to us.
Dark clouds rolled in from the Lusatian Mountains. The evening air was filled with the scent of the forest, but something heralded that a proper storm was approaching. Pavel knew it. His knees always sensed in advance what was about to happen. Like a crystal ball, it hinted that he must soon set out on his journey. It always went this way. Pavel took off his pajamas, dressed in work clothes, and hopped on his bike. His carbon half-racing special sliced through the thick air under the quarry. He maneuvered over roots and stones with the ease of a volunteer at a stand, inserting a sausage into a bun. A sharp turn on the dam of the settling tank above the Lesák, a small but technical jump over its overflow, and he was already turning the water valve, which obediently redirected the flow into the steel pipe. The swimming pool has a clever circular system that protects it from torrential rains. The tank has two inflows that must be diverted before each storm; the water then flows from the screens above the tank through an underground channel down to the dam of the swimming pool. After just a few turns, everything is closed, water gurgles beneath the dam, and it’s time to sleep. The late evening had long said goodbye to the sun, the surface settled, and in the distance above the Ještěd ridge, flashes of lightning flickered like a strobe light at the Devil’s Forge disco once. The tension in the air hinted that something stronger was on its way that night.
In the morning, news spread about the flood that swept through the Forest Swimming Pool. During the night downpour, the Jizera creek turned into the Amazon, uncompromisingly taking everything in its path. An avalanche of branches, mud, and stones clogged the screens of the inflow above the swimming pool, and water began to flow over the embankments and the dam. When we arrived on site, we were greeted by a horrific sight. The sun shone down on a brown surface full of branches and mud. The only signs of the swimming pool were the stainless steel steps protruding through the eerily murky water. We decided to immediately get to work. About twenty people with brooms arrived to help, sacrificing their day off to start cleaning. By evening, the basin was clean, and we began filling it. The water-saturated creek had filled the tank with crystal clear ice-cold water by morning. Pavel watched the enthusiastic swimmers with satisfaction; everything turned out well.
It’s a joy when you help us! Whether you’re Pavel, who gets up at night to turn off the water, whether you’re mowing grass, repairing benches, or sending money for renovations, it gives us a feeling that we’re not alone in this. We still have a lot of work ahead, but we see the goal before us. Thank you!
From time to time, we organize volunteer work at the swimming pool. The sound of saws and drills cuts through the silence of the Jizera valley, interrupted only by the popping of another opened beer bottle. These volunteer days have a great charm. Besides the fact that a lot of work gets done, we mainly get to meet together. It’s not just about meeting people. It’s primarily about connecting with the place and establishing a relationship with the environment where you leave a piece of yourself. Often, visitors to the swimming pool complain that no one is overseeing order, or that a bin is overflowing somewhere. We try our best, but our resources are limited. In many cases, you can help us too. If you see a piece of paper from an ice cream laying on the ground, pick it up; if someone is behaving inappropriately or breaking the rules, you can just tell them. You don’t need a lifeguard or a policeman for that; it’s normal behavior. You can learn that besides handling a saw and a drill at the Forest Swimming Pool.
Every year, the swimming season at Lesák opens with a mass jump into the water. The white bodies of hardened swimmers, who have not yet absorbed the spring sunshine, fall into the granite pool with loud shouts and cheers. This act is not symbolic only from the perspective of the start of a new season. The whistle, which starts the mass frenzy, is blown by the mayor of the city. We decided to establish this tradition not only as a celebration of spring and swimming but also as a guarantee that the city will take care of the Forest Swimming Pool. Caring for quality public space should be part of the job description of any well-functioning municipal administration. So, no matter who wins the next elections, the mayor will open the season at Lesák every spring. His presence adds seriousness to the event and sends an important message that the city cares about the Forest Swimming Pool. Ahoy!
At the confluence of two streams, not far from Lidové sady, in the prestigious villa district of Liberec, lies a place with a rich swimming history. The water there is as cold as ice. Every resident of Liberec knows this beauty hidden among centuries-old spruces as the Forest Swimming Pool. A few years ago, we decided to borrow it from the city and build a brand new swimming area nearby. Now I stand on the dam and look at the snow-white building that delicately lines the edge of the forest, waiting for its first visitors, and I tell myself that our effort was worth it.
When we took over the management of the Forest Swimming Pool, we immediately started addressing what and how to do things. We started completely without money, and the only option to improve the swimming area was through volunteer work. So, we took drills and saws – and got to work. With construction boards and battens, we crafted makeshift furniture for a stand that underwent a light facelift. It received a white coat of paint, new equipment, and on the roof appeared the inscription "beer-lemonade" with a large heart that became a symbol of the transformation of the area. We began working on a study and sought funding. A significant portion of the budget came from the city's participatory budget, but a substantial part also came from private donors. Subsequently, we obtained a building permit in May 2022. The first funds were allocated for foundation repairs and a sewage treatment plant. A year later, work began on the superstructure; however, we unfortunately faced a shortage of finances. We accomplished as much as we could with our own strength or through donations from private supporters. The entire situation led to negotiations with the city management about a one-time financial support that would help complete the ongoing construction and open a fully functioning facility in spring 2025. This was successful – the new facilities of the swimming area will now serve the public, which has few options for water activities in Liberec.
Architecture
The new building of the swimming area is not a manifesto of wasting public money. With minimal costs, we succeeded in constructing a public building that would have been very difficult to create without civic initiative for such a low budget. Our contribution was not only physical work but also project and organizational activities related to such a structure. A design was created that focused on being as simple as possible for construction, phaseable, and financially accessible. The wooden structure follows two height levels of the original foundation slab and is the basic functional space of the swimming area. The combined wood construction system of CLT panels and a light beam structure incorporates a storage space, toilets, a sauna with a resting area, and a bistro. The roof, built on a turquoise steel structure, serves as both an umbrella and a sunshade for the swimming area – protecting the building and visitors from bad weather. Under the roof are showers, changing rooms, and lockable lockers.
History
The first mentions of the Forest Swimming Pool date back to the period before World War II and are linked to the "Waldbad in Ruppersdorf" society. In 1934, representatives of the society requested approval for a project to establish a swimming pool. According to available sources, the construction, undertaken by the Preibisch and Reinelt company along with gardener Josef Peschel from Ruprechtice, took place between 1937 and 1940. The Forest Swimming Pool was under construction during World War II. During the war, the premises were used by military units for training, but it also functioned as a place for regular recreation. After the war, work began on completing the complex. The access road was modified, a parking lot was created, and changing cabins and a restaurant were built. The facilities of the swimming pool then stood on the opposite side from today, adjacent to the road. The building that older residents surely remember, which burned down in 2010, was constructed twenty years later. Interestingly, there was also a tank for heating water above the swimming area and a children's paddling pool. The area was closed in 2007, and after the fire, only the original concrete foundation slab remained on site. Following the closure, the place continued to deteriorate until 2016, when its revitalization began. It included the reconstruction of the pool basin and the cultivation of the area. The swimming pool was reopened to the public in 2018. Unfortunately, the first two years were very dry, which affected the quality and quantity of water in the swimming pool. Concurrently with the opening of the swimming pool, a small refreshment stand and chemical toilets were also put into operation. In spring 2020, the area was taken over by the association Lesní koupaliště z.s., marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the swimming pool. This was completed with the opening of the new swimming pool building. It will house the necessary facilities of the area and a sauna that extends usage options even in the colder months. There are plans for further improvements – a children's water feature, lounging stairs, new sports facilities, and much more. The work never ends, and there is still much to look forward to in the future.
Association
Our association Lesní koupaliště z. s. was established at the beginning of 2020 to seek long-term management of the area. Since we care about the city we live in, we tried to acquire this beautiful but neglected corner of Liberec to breathe new swimming spirit into it, which had long been lacking. The Forest Swimming Pool lacked nothing; it just needed a little. After five years of management, we have successfully completed the new facilities, and we are immensely happy about it. We have breathed new life into the Forest Swimming Pool. The swimming pool exists not only thanks to participatory budgets and city support but also because of you. Without private donors and partners, not only would a crucial part of the finances be missing, but also the feeling that our work is meaningful. For the coming years, we have prepared further development activities to ensure that this precious corner of the city can continue to grow. However, our mission does not end with the construction of the swimming pool. We keep going. Thus, we clean, cut, prune, draw, permit, oversee, and plan. If you want to help us, we would be happy – reach out to us.
Stories from the Swimming Pool
01 The Big Water
Dark clouds rolled in from the Lusatian Mountains. The evening air was filled with the scent of the forest, but something heralded that a proper storm was approaching. Pavel knew it. His knees always sensed in advance what was about to happen. Like a crystal ball, it hinted that he must soon set out on his journey. It always went this way. Pavel took off his pajamas, dressed in work clothes, and hopped on his bike. His carbon half-racing special sliced through the thick air under the quarry. He maneuvered over roots and stones with the ease of a volunteer at a stand, inserting a sausage into a bun. A sharp turn on the dam of the settling tank above the Lesák, a small but technical jump over its overflow, and he was already turning the water valve, which obediently redirected the flow into the steel pipe. The swimming pool has a clever circular system that protects it from torrential rains. The tank has two inflows that must be diverted before each storm; the water then flows from the screens above the tank through an underground channel down to the dam of the swimming pool. After just a few turns, everything is closed, water gurgles beneath the dam, and it’s time to sleep. The late evening had long said goodbye to the sun, the surface settled, and in the distance above the Ještěd ridge, flashes of lightning flickered like a strobe light at the Devil’s Forge disco once. The tension in the air hinted that something stronger was on its way that night.
In the morning, news spread about the flood that swept through the Forest Swimming Pool. During the night downpour, the Jizera creek turned into the Amazon, uncompromisingly taking everything in its path. An avalanche of branches, mud, and stones clogged the screens of the inflow above the swimming pool, and water began to flow over the embankments and the dam. When we arrived on site, we were greeted by a horrific sight. The sun shone down on a brown surface full of branches and mud. The only signs of the swimming pool were the stainless steel steps protruding through the eerily murky water. We decided to immediately get to work. About twenty people with brooms arrived to help, sacrificing their day off to start cleaning. By evening, the basin was clean, and we began filling it. The water-saturated creek had filled the tank with crystal clear ice-cold water by morning. Pavel watched the enthusiastic swimmers with satisfaction; everything turned out well.
It’s a joy when you help us! Whether you’re Pavel, who gets up at night to turn off the water, whether you’re mowing grass, repairing benches, or sending money for renovations, it gives us a feeling that we’re not alone in this. We still have a lot of work ahead, but we see the goal before us. Thank you!
02 The Volunteer Work
From time to time, we organize volunteer work at the swimming pool. The sound of saws and drills cuts through the silence of the Jizera valley, interrupted only by the popping of another opened beer bottle. These volunteer days have a great charm. Besides the fact that a lot of work gets done, we mainly get to meet together. It’s not just about meeting people. It’s primarily about connecting with the place and establishing a relationship with the environment where you leave a piece of yourself. Often, visitors to the swimming pool complain that no one is overseeing order, or that a bin is overflowing somewhere. We try our best, but our resources are limited. In many cases, you can help us too. If you see a piece of paper from an ice cream laying on the ground, pick it up; if someone is behaving inappropriately or breaking the rules, you can just tell them. You don’t need a lifeguard or a policeman for that; it’s normal behavior. You can learn that besides handling a saw and a drill at the Forest Swimming Pool.
03 The Jump
Every year, the swimming season at Lesák opens with a mass jump into the water. The white bodies of hardened swimmers, who have not yet absorbed the spring sunshine, fall into the granite pool with loud shouts and cheers. This act is not symbolic only from the perspective of the start of a new season. The whistle, which starts the mass frenzy, is blown by the mayor of the city. We decided to establish this tradition not only as a celebration of spring and swimming but also as a guarantee that the city will take care of the Forest Swimming Pool. Caring for quality public space should be part of the job description of any well-functioning municipal administration. So, no matter who wins the next elections, the mayor will open the season at Lesák every spring. His presence adds seriousness to the event and sends an important message that the city cares about the Forest Swimming Pool. Ahoy!
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
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