Palisades Park Swim Club — Restaurant in Palisades Park

I am a bergen county resident. I'm not much of a public pool guy but , giving the fact that i have three young boy's who love to siwm . I gave this place a chance today , i also invited my good friends to try this place out for our kid's to enjoy . I am so upset ! this was the place we choose to spend independence day with our family's . I am even more upset that my good friend's son is an active member in The United States marine's , and had to come here after risking his life for you and me , and had to witness what real racism is , He is visiting. I was trying to find a place for us to have a good time that's all , and enjoy our time with our family's on this traditional holiday . I have to say , what we encountered at palisades swim club pool in bergen county new jersey , was far from a welcoming experience . I witnessed a public county pool , hand pic who they would allow into their pool. It was Blatantly Obvious that race was a factor, in there decisions . I also witnessed the staff! , hand pic who's bags they decided to search more than others. I myself as a latino male with a latin family , was treated diffrent from the white family's that where entering the pool. I was hoping that it was just me , maybe over reacting. I met several minorities inside, feeling the same exact way . Ok , it's not just me . I knew there was clearly a problem here . I tried to get over the way i felt believe me i did , For the sake of my children having a good time . I was waiting on my good friends who are minutes away , only to receive a call . I am at the entrance having issues with the staff , was the call i recived once my quests had arrived , my response was , you gotta be kidding me . I thought to myself , not again . I walked over to find my good friends , let me mentioned this people ! . I have to say , they are the most humble god loving Christians i have ever met . I could not belive this was happening once again . I witnessed and older white female staff member , maybe in her Late fifties . I swear she was trying her very hardest ! to pick a fight with my friend's wife , with the hope's she would engage . I assume , to use this as a reason to denie the family's entry to the pool . I am blown away by how obvious this was , that they are racially profiling there guests. I must mention , all this is going down while white family's breeze on by looking. I am extremely happy she held it together , bit her tongue and they made it in. I am very upset that we couldn't enjoy what we thought was gonna be a great local location, to enjoy the 4th of july together. I felt like all eyes where on us the entire time , it was so uncomfortable. I will never visit the place again , unless ! this problem with there staff and management being racist is addressed. I am very said that this still exists , in a town that is so racially diverse . I know palisades park very well and it thrives on there immigrant community , and their businesses which play a big role in the local economy . I now also know that they are very much not wanted there. I feel that this was an eye opening experience , did i want to experience this on independence day . I can whole heartily say , HELL NO! , did it happen YES! it sure did .

I hope if you are reading this debating , if you should visit this place with you're family , to cool off and enjoy a local pool . I suggest you check first and make sure you and you're family and friends , are the correct color for this type of place . Im just saying! We weren't. Hence the experience we had . I am not racist by any means , i love all people . I have to call it like i see it . Forgive me if my honesty offends anyone. I felt racism today , first hand and it hurt me to the core. I had to share this with you all that are on the fence...

I don’t even know where to begin with this horrible experience my family and I went through. Only because this public pool is ran by a RACIST WHITE WOMAn named KAREN CULLEN. I’ve been in this country for 15 years and have never been discriminated nor humiliated until now.

For one, My family and I were treated very rude by the lady at the cash register. She made it almost impossible for us to get inside. She gave us a hard time with IDs and head count. when she could easily look thru her window. As it was too hot to argue with her, we paid her no mind, paid the $107 to get in and kept it moving. After waiting 30 minutes in 100-degree weather all we wanted was to get in the pool.

As the day went on, we had fun in the pool for an hour or two. Until my 2 nieces (5, and 6 years old ) and nephew got hungry . We purchase $50 worth of food. All My family took their food to the grass area to eat. I stayed behind waiting online to buy ice cream for my nephew. When 15 minutes later my family approaches me with all their belongings in bags. They were escorted by 3 POLICE OFFICERS!!! They told they got kicked out, for eating on the grass area. since its only allowed on the picnic tables.

Just like anyone with common sense, I said “okay .. we’ll eat on the Picnic tables then”. The police officers said that was not an option. They were called to make sure we left the property immediately by Karen (manager). I asked Karen, what the issue was. she explained how there’s no food allowed beyond the picnic tables and pointed at a sign where it did say that. I apologized, and politely explained that we didn’t see the sign; and we didn't intentionally break the rules. We had no problem eating on the picnic tables instead if she allowed it.

She didn’t care. she wanted us to leave. she mentioned that she had already told my mom that eating on the grass area was not permitted. I told to her , my mother didn’t speak fluent English and it was all a misunderstanding . Once again she didn't care , and said it was too Late to apologize.

We had no choice but to leave. So there we were escorted out by 3 POLICE OFFICERS. As if we were some sort of CRIMINALS.... walking on hot concrete bared foot , with our baiting suits still on. Since neither Karen nor the officers gave us reasonable time to pack.

If that was not bad enough .. We had to throw out the $50.00 worth of food and had hear my nephew cry on the way home. For leaving the pool so early and not get his ice cream.

I believe there was a total of 5 officers that were called by Karen, because she needed “assistance”. when not once we gave her a hard time or refused to leave. On the contrary we were very cooperative. It makes me furious that we were treated so unfairly. We were not given a chance to redeem the situation at all. I hate to say this but I know that if we weren’t Hispanic, but a white American family instead the cops would of never been called.

The way the situation was handled was uncalled for!! We didn’t do anything wrong, but not read a sign .... and To have cops call on us ??! That’s just ridiculous. All Karen did for us is ruined a nice family outing, and teach my nieces and nephew that discrimination against Hispanics is real.

Trust me We will definitely never go back. I have read reviews of other people experiencing similar discrimination acts. Therefore, I will be following this matter with a lawsuit Against Discrimination. So situations like this don't happen again to...

I last visited this establishment about 3 years ago, and was not super impressed but happy just to get into the pool and enjoy my day. I tried calling multiple times to inquire about their policies, however the phone number listed just kept forwarding to a non-working message. So my husband and I paid entry we were told no coolers allowed only un-opened water. So we returned the cooler to our vehicle (our Poland springs bottles were opened, so right there inconsistencies with their inspection policies), not to mention the 3 other families behind us allowed to walk in with coolers on wheels. The pool has been opened for a few weeks now, the adult pool was filled with long clumps of hair, really gross. We asked why the diving board was closed to patrons while the on duty lifeguards dove and flipped into the pool endlessly, they responded to us by saying that area was closed for cleaning due to poor water visibility, I guess the workers have some sort of exception, poor explanation. The lady on duty allowed my husband to go to the car to retrieve his blood pressure medication, upon re-entry she had clocked out and a new worker told us we can not re-enter. This place has poorly listed policies rude and uneducated workers and some sanitation issues. I would never recommend this pool to anyone ever again, and suggest they re-train, revise and clearly state what exceptions can be made, not any employee telling you whatever they feel like saying wether it is right wrong or indifferent. Just another disappointing place in Bergen County, you are better off driving to South Jersey to enjoy the beach I would rather pay gas, tolls and beach fee combined than give Palisades Park Pool...