Those of you who attended the Core77 Conference probably caught Dong-Ping Wong presenting +Pool in a talk entitled "Doing Rad Shit Where Nobody Asked You To Do Rad Shit." For those that didn't, +Pool is the crazy, successfully-funded, currently-in-development project to hatch a floating swimming pool in NYC's East River.

Now comes a project proposal with both similarities and contrasts to +Pool. Entrepreneur Blayne Ross also wants to provide New Yorkers with some river-based respite from the summer heat, but Ross' scheme is targeting the Hudson River rather than the East, and using IndieGogo rather than Kickstarter. City Beach NYC, as the project is called, is a proposal to turn a barge into a floating beach.

The plan calls to cover the barge in 1,200 cubic yards of sand, creating an artificial beach. The barge would be further kitted out with beach chairs, restaurants, a children's science lab exhibition and a waterfall.

Unfortunately, there's a huge catch... Though they're calling this a beach... you can't actually go in the water. Remember, this is the Hudson we're talking about. As the campaign brief explains,

...Right now we can't provide access to the water for swimming, that's a decision made by the [New York State Department of Environmental Conservation] for your health and safety. You'll be able to learn more about the water quality in the Hudson in our Marine Science exhibit downstairs and learn what we can do to help keep our river clean and improve the water quality.

But don't fret! there will be water features aboard to cool down! Outdoor showers to rinse off and water misters for that quick cool down will be integrated into the plan. Depending on where we moor, small personal watercraft such as kayaks and paddle boards may be possible and we'll keep you posted as things develop.

As for that aforementioned waterfall, peculiarly it appears to be primarily for audio purposes: "The waterfall is there to help create create that relaxing sound of rushing water and help drown out city noise while you are on the beach. It will also help to aerate the water and boost the oxygen levels in the surrounding marine habitat."

Lastly, the plan is for the barge to be permanently moored at a location TBD.

So the question is, will folks be willing to sit out on sand with no promise of ocean water and waves? Time will tell. At press time the campaign was at $9,307 of a $35,000 target for the first stage of funding. We'll let you watch the vid and judge the project's merits for yourself: