Bronx New Deal - Photo #225 - Crotona Park, Pool, and Play Center

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The 330-foot-long Crotona Park swimming pool, built in 1934-1936 by the WPA, photographed June 24, 2014; work underway to install new spray showers (yellowish area at left). On the left and lower right, a huge J-shaped concrete grandstand for swimming events. Rear and right, the bathhouse designed by Aymar Embury II[1] who also designed the Orchard Beach bathhouse and many other New York City landmarks of the 1930s.

[May 2, 1934, Parks Department Press Release]
[June 24, 1936, Press Release]
[July 23, 1936, Press Release]

References:
  1. Crotona Pool, NYC Department of Parks website, accessed 13 November 2019: "This Olympic-size swimming pool and bathhouse complex opened on July 24, 1936. It was one of ten dedicated that year by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981). The project, funded by a special Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant of $10 million, featured a 925,000 gallon swimming pool, 39,000 gallon wading pool, 450,000 gallon diving pool and a bathhouse. The latter was designed by noted architect Aymar Embury II (1880-1966), and is an art deco interpretation of a French castle.
  2. New historical marker acknowledging the WPA installed by Parks Department in March 2022.