Gertrude B. Kelly Playground - New York NY

City:: New York, New York City, NY
Site Type:: Parks and Recreation, Playgrounds
New Deal Agencies:: Civil Works Administration (CWA), Work Relief Programs
Completed:: 1934
Quality of Information:: Moderate
Site Survival:: Extant

Description

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 features such as a play house, flagpole, chlorinated footbath, wading pool, handball and basketball courts, play equipment, drinking fountains, shade trees, and shrubs.” (nycgovparks)

Mayor LaGuardia presided over the dedication ceremony for this playground in August, 1934. A Parks Department press release announcing the opening of this and several other playgrounds explained that “The labor and materials for the construction of these additional playground areas are being supplied thru Work Relief funds.” Given the timing, this most likely referred to CWA involvement as researcher Frank da Cruz explains here.

Originally called only “Model Playground,” it was eventually named for Dr. Gertrude Kelly, a female Irish immigrant to America, who became a surgeon, feminist, anarchist and champion of human rights.