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:
- 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.
- New historical marker
acknowledging the WPA installed by Parks Department in March 2022.