The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed Elijah Perry Park (then called “South Camden Park”) in Camden, New Jersey. Among the amenities were a “spacious bath house … swimming pool, 200 feet by 78 feet; [a] wading pool amid a playground… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built park facilities at the Enderis Playing Field in Milwaukee. One among many parks built and improved by the WPA in Milwaukee, the Enderis Playing field is still in use today. The land, which the… read more
Today’s NYC Parks website explains: “The City of New York acquired the property for this park in January 1941. At that time, the park was divided by 60th Street, which cut through the property. The City then assigned Evergreen Park… read more
The New York Times reported in late 1941 that WPA laborers had begun construction of a new playground at 3rd Ave. and 64th St. in Brooklyn, NY. The 1.25-acre plot was to contain several recreational facilities.
First Park playground, named for its location at the intersection of East First St. and First Ave. opened in 1935. The New York City Parks Department calls the park a “typical product of the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) initiative to… read more
In 1942, the Washington Post reported seven acres allocated by the Federal Works Agency (FWA) for a playfield at Fort Greble, at the intersection of Chesapeake St. and Shepherd St (which no longer goes through). This is the present site… read more
This large, lush Brooklyn park dates back 150 years. NYC Parks explains that “Another series of renovations made in the 1930s further enhanced the classical design of the park. Parks architect Gilmore D. Clarke regraded the grounds, added new trees… read more
In 1942, the Washington Post reported the approval of $11,200 in funding for the Federal Works Agency (FWA) to build or make improvements to the former Stevens Playground, now Fort Stevens Recreation Center. The work may have included tennis courts… read more
Francis Lewis Park sits at the base of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge in Queens. The park was named after an American “merchant, patriot, and signer of the Declaration of Independence”(nycgovparks). Researcher Frank Da Cruz has compiled evidence of the WPA’s key… read more
In 1942, the Washington Post reported the allocation of $32,650 to the Federal Works Agency (FWA) for new construction and improvements to the Francis Recreation Center, located at 25th and H streets NW. The Francis Recreation Center appears to… read more
Today’s NYC Parks website explains that the “history of the playground begins in 1935, when the Board of Transportation permitted the Department of Parks to use two parcels on the east and west sides of 78th Street for recreational purposes…. read more
The Department of Parks announced the opening of what is now the Fred Samuel Playground on March 31, 1939. The press release explained: “The area located on the west side of Lenox Avenue between 139 and 140 Streets is adjacent… read more
NYC Parks describes the origins of this playground: “South Ozone Park grew into a bustling community, and the neighborhood’s many residents needed recreation space. Parks acquired the playground land in a purchase from William Zagarino in 1936, and soon after… read more
The Department of Parks announced the opening of what is now the Frederick Johnson Park on March 31, 1939. The press release explained: “The 150 Street and Seventh Avenue area obtained by the Department of Parks from the Board of… read more
In Newport, Rhode Island “the WPA built sidewalks and most of the stone walls, grandstands, concession buildings and other facilities in Newport’s public parks. Vernon Park, Freebody Park and Cardines Field are the most visible examples.” At Freebody Park, the… read more
In 1940 the Department of Parks announced the opening of a new playground was opened in what is today Fulton Park, located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. The playground was “designed by the Park Department and built and landscaped… read more
The Department of Parks acquired this land, later named the Galapo Playground, in 1940 and announced the completion of a playground on the site in July 1941: “New concrete walks have been centered in the 24′ sidewalk area along Avenue… read more
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Civil Works Administration completed improvements at the Gallinger Playground in Washington DC, between 1933 and 1934. The work consisted of the following improvements: “New shelter(s) built.”
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook several improvements at what was then known as Chancellor Playground (and today known as Garden State Chancellor Park) beginning in 1936. The large-scale project involved “replacing two bridges washed away by storms, building new… read more
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Civil Works Administration funded and constructed improvements at the Garfield Playground in Washington DC, between, 1933-1934. “Playing area increased by relocation of hedges, graded, relocation of equipment.”
The Garfield Playground was one of a limited number of Seattle park facilities to receive upgrades through the New Deal’s Civil Works Administration (CWA) program. The main CWA project at the playground involved the construction of a retaining wall along… read more
This property in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, just next to Milestone Park, was acquired by Parks in 1937. In March, 1939, Parks announced the completion of a new playground on the site “equipped with swings, see-saws, jungle gym, slides… read more
Researcher Frank da Cruz makes a convincing argument that this former playground was built with New Deal funds: “According to a present-day NYC Parks Department web page, ‘This property, bounded by East 146th Street, Walton Avenue, and the Grand Concourse,… read more
With the help of Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor, the Seattle Park Department made improvements to the Georgetown Playground at South Homer Street and Corson Avenue. In 1936, WPA workers built a reinforced concrete wading pool along the eastern edge… read more
Gertrude B. Kelly Playground was one of five model playgrounds designed after Robert Moses assumed control of the New York City Parks Department in 1934. These playgrounds were “meant to serve as templates for further playground designs and included standard… read more
A March 27, 1936 Department of Parks press release announced the opening of this new WPA playground: “The Department of Parks will open ten new playgrounds Saturday, March 28, making a total of 125 added to the recreational system in… read more
Construction of Shenandoah PA’s Girard Park began in September of 1936 with the support of funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA allocated $93,000 for the development of the sixteen-acre park, with the rest of the cost to… read more
In Sept. 1941 the New York Times described a playground being constructed by the WPA in Queens at “Central Avenue and Seventieth Street.” This site, Glendale Playground, is still in use today. The site is also known as the “Uncle”… read more
“Repairing and painting of buildings, including band shells, bathhouses, pavilions, bridges, residences, service buildings and playground buildings in the following parks…Gordon Park.”
Gorman playground at 84th St. and 25th Ave. in the East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens was one of five “model playgrounds” designed as templates for further playground development by Robert Moses and his team after Moses assumed control of the… read more
On July 28, 1937, the Department of Parks announced the opening of “five playgrounds, constructed by the Department of Parks with relief labor and funds,” noting that “These playgrounds are five of the twenty-four sites in neglected areas selected by… read more
On May 25, 1942 the Parks Department announced the completion of a major reconstruction of the Gravesend Park Playground in Brooklyn. After removing much outdated equipment, the WPA constructed significant new facilities: “The new development permits greater utilization of space… read more
The land for Grover Cleveland Park was first established in the 1920s. It acquired its present name in 1939. In June 1940, the Department of Parks announced the completion of the WPA’s reconstruction of the park: “This five-acre park has… read more
In April 1942, the WPA and the Department of Parks completed the reconstruction of Hamilton Metz Field in Brooklyn. After removing an existing football field and other facilities, the WPA constructed extensive new facilities: “The area has been completely enclosed… read more
In 1936, the Washington Post reported improvement work at several city playgrounds, the Hamilton Playground among them. This would have been part of a major New Deal park renovation effort across the district. The work was likely done by the… read more
Designed by African-American architect Clarence “Cal” Wigington, the Hamline Park Playground building was completed in 1938. The building now houses an art shop and studio.
The Civil Works Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) funded improvements at the Happy Hollow Playground in Washington DC. A wading pool was installed. In 1934-1935, FERA, “[r]esurfaced one tennis court; painted house.”
The National Youth Administration completed improvements in Harmon Park in Stamford TX. While the Park itself still exists, the only item that I identified as possibly being the work of the NYA is the rock pillar at the park entrance…. read more
In 1942, the Washington Post reported the allocation of $21,390 to the Federal Works Agency (FWA) for new construction and/or improvements to what was then the Eckington Recreation Center, now known as the Harry Thomas Sr. Recreation Center, in the… read more
Today’s NYC Parks website explains that the village of Whitestone (now the neighborhood of Whitestone in Queens) acquired this land in 1892. Parks took over the 21 acre site in 1936 in conjunction with the construction of the Whitestone Parkway. … read more