Fond Memories

Working at the Park's Pool

Hey Vince: 

I remember growing up in Hoboken as a kid my parents took me and then my sister practically every day in the summer up to the park to go swimming. I would have to say I probably was there at least 500 times maybe more throughout my childhood and teen years. When I turned 14 my father said you are going to work here, I said oh yea, he said oh yea. 

One of his good friends was a man by the name of Joe, tall white hair I think he was the manager of the pool. Joe asked me if I wanted a job as a life guard and I said sure, a great job for a 14 year old. If there was a time in my life to go back to it would definitely be 1967 to 1971 when I worked at the park as a life guard at the pool. Being an employee of the park all I had to do was show my pass and everything was free, food, rides, games etc. The park really took care of its employee’s. I would have two days off and even on my days off I would go up to the pool and hang out, it was the best place to work a lot of fun times. 

One thing that really stands out is I remember catching an early bus up to the park got to the pool before it opened and Mr. Rosenthal was standing in front of the entrance to the pool I think he was making his daily inspection. He turned to me and said the pool is not opened yet I told him I worked for the pool he said you are a little early did you have breakfast I said not really and he took me over to the Circus Restaurant and treated me to breakfast. After we ate he looked at his watch and said you have 5 minutes till the pool opens up so get to work with a smile, I thanked him and went off to work he was a gentlemen. I could probably write a book about all the memories and good clean fun I had at the park and pool can’t put a price tag on that one. 

Joseph Nardello Wood-ridge, N. J. 
El Paso TX