The legendary Orchard Beach parking lot built by the WPA in 1934-36, accommodating somewhere between 3500 and 7000 cars. The panorama shot taken May 14, 2017, barely does it justice (hint: maximize your browser and click the Enlarge button above; also click the image at left to see the parking lot from space; it's the big grey area behind the beach). For four generations now, this parking lot has been the spot where everybody in Bronx came to learn how to drive, especially in off-season when it's mostly empty as in this photo. Today when you enter the lot, you are greeted by a sign saying something to the effect of “Driving instruction not permitted.”

The New Deal in NYC 1932-1943 | Frank da Cruz | fdc@columbia.edu