- City:
- Jamaica, New York City, Queens, NY
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Comfort Stations (Restrooms), Playgrounds
- New Deal Agencies:
- Temporary Emergency Relief Act (NY only), Work Relief Programs
- Completed:
- 1934
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
From NYC Parks:
“Howard Von Dohlen Playground opened on July 15, 1934, and is one of nine playgrounds built by Parks through the War Memorial Fund. The fund was established in 1921 with $250,000 collected by the New York City Police Department. Until 1934, the money had remained untouched, during which time it had grown in value to $350,000. Seeking additional open spaces for children, Parks Commissioner Robert Moses obtained a legal ruling that permitted the Fund to be spent on several playground developments. The properties were intended to honor the memories of individual soldiers who had given their lives in combat.
The War Memorial Fund was transferred to Parks on March 19, 1934. With additional funding from the Federal Temporary Emergency Relief Administration, nine playgrounds were constructed within four months. Each site was equipped with a play area, wading pool, flagpole, commemorative tablet, brick field house and comfort station. Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and Parks Commissioner Moses simultaneously dedicated the memorial playgrounds in a ceremony held at William E. Sheridan Playground in Brooklyn.”
Source notes
NYC Parks - Howard Von Dohlen Playground New York City Parks Department New Deal Projects 1934-43 Department of Parks, Press Release, August 12, 1935Site originally submitted by Frank da Cruz on February 4, 2017.
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