Parks and Recreation Sites

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)  built the Storm Mountain Picnic Area in the lower reaches of Big Cottonwood Canyon, a major recreational area for Salt Lake City.  The CCC young men, supervised by the US Forest Service, laid out picnic sites, built a footbridge over Big Cottonwood Creek and rip-rapped the creek.  They also constructed two stone comfort stations (restrooms), which are no longer in use.   The Storm Mountain picnic area includes a beautiful stone amphitheater. The picnic area is not marked as CCC in origin, but the amphitheater is.  The small dam just above the Storm Mountain picnic area is part...

"Among most impressive projects was the C.C.C.’s construction of the first ski trails on the mountain in Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Charles Lord, a civil engineer overseeing a twenty-five-man work crew from the Moscow camp, carved out several trails, among them: the Ski Master, the Overland, the Perry Merrill, Lord, the S-53, and the Nose Dive. At the base of Nose Drive, the C.C.C. crew constructed a large parking area to accommodate several hundred cars." Lift serviced skiing at present day Stowe started when Sepp Ruschp and the Mt. Mansfield Ski Club opened a rope tow on the Toll House slope...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)'s Company #1193, Camp Britton, constructed the Stratton Brook Picnic Shelter.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) planted around 400 street trees in the city of Martinez in the winter of 1933-34. The plantings consisted of walnuts and sycamores.  (Henderson 2014) Susana Park had just been deeded to the city by the Masonic Lodge, which stands nearby.  Many of the trees in the park are probably planted by the CWA.  Rock work at the entrances to the park may well be CWA, but that cannot be confirmed (benches connected to the low rock walls were removed in a recent renovation of the park). A special ceremony was held at Susana Park to plant trees...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided labor to improve Stockton’s Stribley Park in 1938. The improvement project was one of several WPA efforts in the City. “It is reported that $21,903 will be spent in a city-wide improvement program of municipal playground facilities at Stockton, Calif., which is under way as a WPA project,” a contemporary journalist reported in June 1938. “Two tennis courts will be constructed at Stribley Park and two at the Municipal Baths.” The park still exists today. Facilities include baseball diamonds and picnic areas. It appears as though the tennis courts mentioned above were refurbished as handball courts.

Strong Street Playground is located within Old Fort Four Park next to the Jerome Park Reservoir. On June 13, 1941, the New York City Department of Parks announced "the completion, of work on the redesign of a play area on Reservoir Avenue between Strong Street and West 197th Street, he Bronx. This property was acquired by the Department of Parks in 1935, at which time it was graded and provided with see-saws and swings by relief workers. The current project represents an amplification of the original work. The area has been paved with a smooth bituminous surface to provide all...

Work has only been started to make many provisions, for educational purposes, for the exhibition of trees and shrubs from all parts of the world.--Healy, p. 59.

The Works Progress Administration built the Stuart City Park and Community House in Stuart City FL, Martin County. The City was a cosponsor. The community house housed public gatherings and also served as a hurricane shelter. The location and status of these projects is presently unknown to Living New Deal.  

According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce: “Completed and opened in 1937, Stuart Recreation Area is one of four developed recreation areas built by the CCC. Known locally as “Stuart Park,” it became the centerpiece of a large recreation complex built with CCC labor that also included Bickle Knob. Designed by MNF recreation planner H.T. Stoddard, Stuart’s landscaping plan called for large open grassy fields, winding wooded trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, rustic picnic shelters with the central swimming area found along the banks of Shaver’s Fork. Today, the open fields and the historic CCC-built administrative building along with two CCC-built...

From the Forest Service website: "Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. Just an hour north of Houston, in the Sam Houston National Forest, Stubblefield offers great outdoor experiences, including camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking and picnicking."

On October 1, 1936, the Department of Parks announced the completion of significant developments in Stuyvesant Square park: "At Stuyvesant Square Park the south half of the rectangular section west of Second Avenue and bounded by Second Avenue, East 15th Street, Rutherford Place and East 17th Street has been redesigned and reconstructed, with the exception of the central portion, comprising eight percent of the west half of the park. The area developed includes wide, semi-circular walks, with continuous rows of benches." In December of the same year, the Department announced further work on the northeast section of the square, including the construction...

By 1940, the tracks of the former Warwick Railroad had been removed from the center of Suburban Parkway in Oakland Beach. As a WPA project, this center strip was landscaped.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did major work developing the former Patrick's Point (now Sue-Meg) State Park, which had just been purchased by the new State Parks Commission in 1929. The CCC work was carried out between 1933 and 1937 by the men of Company 1903 at Camp Prairie Creek. Engbeck reports that the CCC enrollees tore out an old road and reconfigured the entry road in a more naturalized fashion; constructed a campground and day-use picnic area, with combination restrooms, washrooms and laundry rooms; rehabilitated a staff residence; and cleared a protective firebreak around the perimeter of the park  (Engbeck, p. 24). The CCC...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did major work developing the former Patrick's Point (now Sue-Meg) State Park, which had just been purchase by the new State Parks Commission in 1929. The work was carried out between 1933 and 1937 by the men of Company 1903 at Camp Prairie Creek. Joseph Engbeck (2002) reports that the CCC enrollees carried out a number of basic improvements to the park, such as a new entry road, a campground and day-use picnic area, and a protective firebreak around the perimeter of the park  (Engbeck, p. 24). Evidently, the CCC crews did more than that, as rangers at the...

The campus of Sul Ross State University was greatly developed during the 1930s as a result of efforts on the part of several New Deal agencies, including the Public Works Administration (PWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Per the El Paso Herald-Post: A modern state institution of higher learning in the far-western "Big Bend of Texas,” Sul Ross State College faces its 20th anniversary in 1940 with a college plant and campus of first rank among state educational centers Opening of a new $150,000 PWA dormitory for women this year has brought...

Among the numerous construction and improvement projects undertaken at Sul Ross State University during the Great Depression was the construction of the original outdoor theater at Kokernot Lodge by the Civil Works Administration (CWA). Per the El Paso Herald-Post: Earliest of relief projects on the campus ,a CWA program o 1934, and one of the most interesting in background is the outdoor theater at Kokernot Lodge, a park site presented to the college in 1929 by the: L. G. Kokernot heirs of Alpine. The stage is of native stone with seating capacity for 1200. It is flanked by dressing rooms and...

Athletic field and stadium for the Sulphur Bulldogs and still use practice field for the High School team The stadium located on West Wynnewood Ave, Sulphur is a rectangular 139 x 38 foot building made of native stone and pre-formed concrete slab blocks. Considered Art Deco in design it provides stadium seating for approximately 500 people. The original press box with a concrete roof stands on top of the stadium and two small ticket booths were placed east and west of the stadium building. A rock fence runs east of the stadium. Of all the stadiums built by Works Progress Administration in...

This park is situated around a high glacial lake near Idaho Springs, Colorado. The park contains a CCC shelter designed by J. J. B. Benedict. According to the National Register of Historic Places, "the structure is an example of the rustic style of architecture use of native material in proper scale, the avoidance of undiluted hard lines and over-sophistication to ensure harmony and continuity between the natural and man-made elements. The location of the structure within the park and the use of native materials expresses an assimilation with nature."

Federal Emergency Relief Administration crews built parking for Summit Park in Bangor ME. Excerpt from Bangor Daily News: "ERA Workers Building Parking Space Near Old Water Standpipe" "One of the new ERA projects now under way in Bangor is a large parking place being constructed at Summit Park. Those who have driven to the standpipe during summer nights for a view of the city, have found it impossible to get a good parking place, and it is believed that the new graveled area will be one of great convenience to those who wish to view the surrounding country from the top of Thomas Hill. At...

Sumner Lake State Park is located northwest of Fort Sumner and contains  large reservoir created by the Sumner Dam in the 1930s. The CCC, the WPA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation constructed the dam between 1935 and 1939. Other CCC structures in the vicinity include five rock bridges (along the east side of the lake) and two bunkers near the dam built in 1939.

The Sunbeam Hot Springs was greatly improved for public use by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  In 1937, enrollees from the Clayton CCC Camp built a bathhouse on a walled, concrete platform overlooking the Salmon River, with two access stairways from the road above, a pump house (?), and a paved path down to the river. Bathers  could change in the bathhouse and proceed down the path to the river, where the hot springs water from the hillside mixes with river water. The bathhouse is not used today. An information panel next to the bathhouse reads: "The bathhouse was completed in 1937...

Suffolk County News reported that between 1935 and 1936, the WPA "improved recreational facilities in following State Parks : Sunken Meadow, Heckscher, Wildwood, Orient Point and Hither Hills..."

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) operated in Sunland Park, constructing a community center building. "Sunland Park was the first county-owned park, dedicated to public use in 1883 when Sherman Paige and F. C. Howes purchased 2,000 acres and began subdividing the area into tracts of ten acres or more. This site was occupied by a grove of Live Oaks, believed to be several hundred years old, so Paige and Howes decided to preserve this space for public use. In 1912, the Monte Vista amusement park was established across the street, increasing the popularity of this public park." "Sunland Park features include mature...

William Sunners Playground, located in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn, was constructed using WPA materials and labor. New York City's Parks Department writes: "This playground was acquired by the City in 1940 and first opened to the public on April 12, 1941. It was one of four separate parcels in the area that were obtained by the City for park purpose, in response to a local need for more parkland. At the time, this triangular parcel was valued at approximately $8,000. Each of the four park parcels were laid out as playgrounds by Parks designers and developed with materials and labor provided...

"The Division of Grazing (Grazing Service as of 1939) operated the greatest number of CCC programs in the state. There were several reasons for this. First of all, Nevada has the largest public domain (nonallocated federal acreage) of any of the forty-eight states. With little trouble, Nevada's elected officials and stockmen easily persuaded national CCC officials to approve requests for several new grazing camps, notwithstanding national CCC program budget cuts. Second, following passage of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, a large workforce was needed to implement its ambitious provisions. Even with CCC assistance, the amount of work needing to...

Sunset Park in Brooklyn was improved by the WPA in 1935 (when a small children's playground was added) and, more extensively, in 1940. A press release announced the completion of the later project: "In Sunset Park, the westerly portion located at Fifth Avenue, 41 to 42 Streets, has been redesigned and reconstructed. The new work consists of the rearrangement of new bituminous walks, curbs, concrete stairs, entrances, concrete walls, new overlooks, benches, chain link and wrought iron fencing, a small children's play area with sand pit and play apparatus, and a new modern comfort station. The opening of these park areas designed...

The federal Works Progress Administration worked to develop and beautify Sunset Park in Asbury Park, New Jersey ca. 1936. Work involved the construction of an island in the middle of Sunset Lake. WPA N.J. Project No. 5-51.

The Works Progress Administration's National Youth Administration (WPA/NYA) hired youths to construct the stone shop building and 2 restrooms in Sunset Park in Salina Kansas. During the 1950s, the shop building doubled as a voting station. The shop building bears an NYA plaque.  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build the Sunset Playground in 1937-1940, working with the San Francisco Recreation Department.  The playground included a field house plus volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. "In 1937, the three-acre site at 29th Avenue and Lawton Street was bought for $50,676 and began as a playground. Built by the Recreation Department and the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), Sunset Playground opened in 1940 with a small field house, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts." (ParkScan) We believe that the WPA relief workers developed the entire playground and not just the grading of the site, as indicated by Healy.  "Like...

The massive 259-foot-by-162-foot (3.5-foot-deep) outdoor pool in Sunset Park was one of 11 constructed with the help of the federal Work Projects Administration in New York City. "In the summer months, Sunset Park and its pool become home to swimmers and sun worshipers.  Designed in a neoclassical/Art Deco style, the pool first opened its waters to the public in 1936. It has since then offered to the Sunset Park community and visitors from all across New York City a range of recreational activities. Programs include Learn-to-Swim classes for all ages, free After School swimming instruction, and Adult Lap times.  The Brooklyn...

The Sunset Pier was built on Venice Beach in 1921 as a typical entertainment pier with dancing hall that was very common on the beach at the time. After various bankruptcies and owners, "he city took possession of the Sunset Pier during spring 1929 after the lease was canceled with the Electric Pier Company for non-payment of rent... However, in June the Parks and Recreation Commission decided to build a 64 x 160 foot municipal bathing pavilion on the pier. The pool, costing $20,000, could accommodate 3000 people and would have large sun rooms. Construction began by the end of...

"In 1929 the city of Manhattan purchased land called Sunset Cemetery. Part of the land was unusable to bury people in because of too rocky soil. This area then became Sunset Zoo. Until 1934, the Zoo was not chartered as a park; but there were animals at the Zoo as early as 1930. The Zoo, however, holds 1933 as the founding year. The zoological park has served the community for over 70 years, providing a cultural and educational examination of the natural world. Dr. E.J. Frick, zoo founder and former head of surgery and medicine at the Kansas State University School...

"The Superintendent's Residence at Great Sand Dunes National Monument was designed in 1940 by Kenneth R.Saunders and Jerome C. Miller of the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Designs. Built the same year by the Works Progress Administration, the house is in the Territorial Revival style, deemed a suitable local adaptation of the National Park Service Rustic style. The national monument is now Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve . The building is located adjacent to the entrance gate house of the park."   (www.wikipedia.org)

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) undertook forest conservation work in Superior National Forest under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service.

Sacking and warehousing existing split wood, for the purpose of supplying indigent families with stove wood. Distribution to be made by the Surplus Commodities Division of S.E.R.A., also cleaning and burning certain areas previously logged.--Mooser, p. 80.

Demolished old buildings, landscaped, surfaced walks and paths. As the photographs show, this work did much to restore and enhance the beauty of the park. This was the estate of the former mayor of San Francisco, Adolph Sutro. The many statues brought from Europe were thoroughly cleaned and repaired under this project. The site commands a marvelous view.--Healy, p. 58.

Workers from the Camp Sisters Civilian Conservation Corps (Company #1454) provided the necessary labor for improvement to US Forest Service land on the south shore of Suttle Lake over a number of years (approx.. 1935-1937). The CCC workers constructed campgrounds, trails, picnic spots, and outdoor fireplaces.  In 1936, the CCC members built the Suttle Lake-Camp Sherman road. On the south shore of Suttle Lake, a natural lake located within the Deschutes National Forest on the east side of the Cascades, are three large campgrounds and two day-use areas.

Sutton State Forest is located in Sutton, Massachusetts. Portions of the forest area were owned by the state of Massachusetts prior to the creation of the New Deal programs, but the Civilian Conservation Corps made large scale improvements to it. Sutton State Forest is most well-known for Purgatory Chasm, a natural rock feature, and Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is located within the boundaries of Sutton State Forest. However, Purgatory Chasm had already been transformed into a sightseeing destination in the early 1900s, so the CCC did not work on that attraction. CCC Camp S-84 came to the forest in the fall...

The CCC built an administrative building, a pavilion, and a restroom at Swallow Falls State Park. All are still in use. The CCC boys also planted trees, performed fire suppression work, and engaged in other projects throughout the area. Visitors to Swallow Falls State Park can camp, hike, picnic, and swim; but extreme caution should be used when swimming due to wet rocks, several waterfalls, and strong currents. There are, however, calm areas to swim, for example, the usually-gentle and more sandy Tolliver Falls area. Swallow Falls is one of the most beautiful parks in the country, and a living testament to...

"Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies just two miles south of the town of Sumner, Missouri. It is located near the confluence of the Grand and Missouri Rivers, and is bordered on the south by Yellow Creek. The refuge was established in 1937 and consist of 10,795 acres of bottomland forest, grasslands, marshes, and managed moist soil wetlands. Following purchase of the land, the Civilian Conservation Corps began work on the refuge creating wetlands, constructing roads and buildings, and initiating the refuge farming program."