Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation & Aquatic Center

07/04/2025

Hey everyone! Happy 4th!

The pool will be open today from 11:30am-3:30pm! Stop by and cool off!

(Note: Pool entry stops 30 minutes before closing.)

Swim caps are required for people with hair two inches or longer (or covering their forehead) or chemically treated. Proper swimming trunks (with the lining/netting inside) are required. Anyone under the age of 7 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Shirts and shoes are required for building entry.

Enjoy!!

06/04/2025

The four words you have been waiting for months to hear...THE POOL IS OPEN!!

Yes! The pool is back open and we have missed you! The current hours are as follows:

Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-7:30pm (Only Adult/senior swim from 9:30am-11:30am weekdays)
Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm

Remember!
*Swim caps are required for hair 2 inches or longer (or covering your forehead) or chemically treated and you must wear the proper swimming trunks with the lining inside. (No basketball/soccer shorts, etc.) This includes the baby pool!
*Shirts and shoes are required when entering the building.
*Please make sure you bring your own towel and swim shoes or flip flops for walking on the pool deck. Regular footwear is not allowed on the deck.
*Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. No exceptions.
*No food is allowed upstairs at the pool.
*Pool entry ends 30 minutes before closing. No one will be allowed to enter the pool after 7:00pm during the week or after 5:00pm on Saturdays.

Please make sure you register for your Community Pass Membership (or renew it if you already have one). It's $5.00 per person per year for Newark residents ($15.00 per year per person for all non residents.).

Please contact us at 973-733-3707 if you have any questions. See you all soon!

06/01/2025

Hey everyone! Late Nights are back!!

The Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services is, once again, sponsoring the City of Newark's "Late Night Initiative"! All recreation centers, including the Sharpe James/Kenneth A Gibson Recreation Center, will be open late on Fridays and Saturdays for some pre-summer fun! The late night dates are as follows:

May 30, 31
June 6, 7
June 13, 14
June 20, 21
June 27, 28

Late Night games and special late night ice skating ⛸️ sessions will be available! The rink will operate as follows:

Wednesday & Thursday 7:00pm-8:30pm (Normal hours)
Friday 6:00pm-9:30pm (Late Night Initiative hours)
Saturday 3:00pm-5:30pm (Session 1)
7:00pm-9:30pm (Session 2)

We will also be on the grill!! So come and grab a burger 🍔 or a hot dog 🌭 and join the fun! For further information, please call us at 973-733-3707. See you soon!

05/12/2025

Today, we mourn the passing of Newark's greatest cheerleader. Mayor Sharpe James was a legendary figure and force in our City. There was no one like him. He would still visit us occasionally at the center that bears his name and would still light up a room with that famous gap toothed smile and that "Sharpe charm". We at the Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation & Aquatic Center send our condolences to his wife, Miss Mary as we called her, and his sons, John, Kevin, and Elliott, and to all who knew and loved him as well to all Newarkers. Thank you Mayor James for a job well done.🙏

A dynamic, street-fighting, longtime mayor, his legacy was tarnished by a corruption conviction he never stopped challenging

04/17/2025

Hey everyone! Come and join us for the Newark Recreation Spring Break Carnival happening here at the Eddie Moraes Stadium (B Field) on Saturday, April 19, 2025! There will be rides, games, music, and fun for all! We will be out there from 12:00pm-6:00pm! Everyone is invited! For more information, call 973-733-6454 or 973-733-3707. See you all on Saturday!

04/12/2025

Hey everyone!! The City of Newark's Summer Youth Employment Program is looking for program applicants ages 14-24 to work at various Newark summer sites! Scan the QR code below to complete your application. For more information, please call (973) 733-5772 or visit their website and social media pages below. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2025!

03/27/2025

PUBLIC ICE SKATING IS STILL OPEN!!

Please come join us for our daily Public Skating sessions! The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday and Thursday 7:00pm-8:30pm
Friday 6:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday 3:00pm-5:30pm

We have skates available! (You can bring your own, too!😉) Ask about our Community Pass Membership!

For more information, please contact the center at 973-733-3707. See you soon! (Oh...and Miss Gwen is back, too. Come say hello!)

03/25/2025

Hey everyone! WE'RE BACK!

The Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation & Aquatic Center has re-opened! Come on down and engage in some of your favorite activities and programs! Public Ice Skating, Ironbound Boxing Academy, Hockey In New Jersey, Martial Arts, and more have resumed! Call 973-733-3707 for further information! We're waiting to see you all!

03/03/2025

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that due to an much needed abatement, the center will be closed for 3 weeks starting Monday, March 3, 2025 through Monday, March 24, 2025. We are expected to re-open on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 and we will continue to have all of the great activities you love! Hockey In New Jersey, the Ironbound Senior Center, and the Ironbound Boxing Academy are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, March 25. Public Ice Skating is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, March 26. Martial Arts classes are scheduled to resume on Thursday, March 27.

The pool is still in the process of being repaired and should re-open soon. We will definitely post updates on that as well.

Hang in there! This time will only make things better for all of us! If you have any questions, please call the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services at 973-733-5373 or the Division of Recreation at 973-733-6454.

See you in a few weeks!

01/07/2025

Hey everyone! It's time for Snow Tubing! The Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services is registering participants for our annual Snow Tubing trips at Camp Gwa in Mahwah, NJ! Participants must be at least 7 years old and reside here in Newark! Our center is slated to go on Saturday, March 1, 2025. We depart at 9:00am SHARP and return by 2:00pm. Spaces are limited, so please make sure you register as soon as possible in person at your local recreation center. See the flyer below for details or call us at (973) 733-3707 for more information. Hope to see you soon!

01/02/2025

Happy New Year!! We hope you all have a Happy, healthy, and safe 2025!! We can't wait to create more memories with you!

12/09/2024

Hey everyone! It's the start of the peak season for ICE SKATING at the Sharpe James Kenneth A Gibson Recreation Center! Come out and enjoy ice skating at the City of Newark's year round ice rink! Skate days and times are as follows:

Wednesday 7:00pm-8:30pm
Thursday 7:00pm-8:30pm
Friday 6:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday 3:00pm-5:30pm

Skates are available for use at the rink, but you can bring your own as well! Make sure you dress warmly! Socks are mandatory for all skaters (longer ones preferred)! Please inquire about our Community Pass Membership, which is only $5.00 per year per person for all Newark residents ($15.00 per year per person for non-residents). Come and enjoy ice skating and more with your family! Please contact (973) 733-3707 for further information. See you soon!