Murphy Park – Greenfield MA

Description

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers developed recreation improvements at Greenfield’s Green River Swimming and Recreation Area and Murphy Park, during the 1930s. WPA Bulletin, 1936:

Children of Greenfield have benefited by the WPA construction of a new bath house and other improvements at the Greenfield Swimming Pool. Tennis courts and a soft ball diamond were built in the adjoining public park property.

Bulletin, 1937:

Greenfield— The crack of bats and the swish of girls’ skipping ropes are ushering in the sport season of the 33 acre WPA Recreation Center at the northern end of the city.
In three or four months’ time the full recreational facilities of the huge park will be taxed with sport lovers of all ages making use of the wading and swimming pools, baseball and softball diamonds, horseshoe pitching rings, picnic grounds and special play places for smaller children.
Additional WPA improvements to the park are now underway and will include the repairing of 135 yards of rip-rap, construction of 910 feet of masonry wall, building of 11 fireplaces, 13 picnic tables and three benches, the laying of gravel foot paths, the clearing of the wading and swimming pools, the construction of tar sidewalks, the landscaping of a large parking area and the painting of buildings and equipment.