Photo: NYC Parks Department
See
Harlem Meer gallery
This is the only photo I have ever found of Aymar Embury's 1943 Harlem Meer
boathouse at the north end of Central Park. This is particularly galling
since I passed by it a thousand times myself in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
until it was torn down in the 1990s and replaced by a new one. I
remember it served as some kind of community center for a while.
References:
- Manhattan New Building
Database 1900-1986, Office for Metropolitan History: "1941,
Department of Buildings Number 125: CENTRAL PARK AT 110TH ST; (owner) City
N.Y., Dept. Parks; (architect) Aymar Embury II: 1-sty bk boat
house, 120×46." This indicates the design and early construction, which was
paused, then resumed in 1943 (next item).
- NYC Parks Department
Press Release, 13 March 1943: "It is essential to complete these
unfinished W.P.A. projects as quickly as possible to protect the work
already done and the public using the parks in and adjacent to these
uncompleted areas. To leave them in their present condition until after the
war would be a serious waste of funds already expended. Although the
contract allows about eight months for completion, it is expected that most
of the playgrounds will be opened for usage about midsummer of this year
... A combination brick boathouse, comfort station and refreshment
concession with, a 360 foot boat landing platform are the main features of
the north shore adjacent to 110th Street. Two new entrances will be opened
in the north wall of the park with stone stairways leading to the boathouse
plaza. Convenient approaches to the two existing marginal playgrounds,
north and east of the lake, will be provided."