- City:
- Burbank, CA
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Recreation Halls
- New Deal Agencies:
- Army Corps of Engineers, Federal & Military Operations
- Started:
- 1941
- Completed:
- 1942
- Quality of Information:
- Moderate
- Marked:
- No
- Site Survival:
- Partially Extant
Description
In 1941-42, a recreation building was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in Burbank, CA with federal and municipal funding.
The facilities at the recreation center, including an auditorium for assemblies, plays, banquets, basketball, and dancing, were meant to serve soldiers and war industry workers in the Burbank area. According to the Los Angeles Times, an agreement was signed between the City of Burbank and the Federal Security Agency, which stated that “the Burbank Parks Department must conduct a recreation and leisure-time program ‘in a manner satisfactory to the Federal Security Agency’” (February 26, 1942).
The City of Burbank purchased the recreation building from the Federal Government in 1942 and developed Olive Park—now George Izay Park—around it. The original structure appears to be extant as the present-day Olive Recreation Center. However, the facade has changed. For example, a brick frontage has been added and there appear to be fewer windows today than there were in 1942.
Source notes
George Izay Park and Olive Recreation Center Image Collection, Burbank in Focus (accessed October 5, 2024).
"Burbank Opens Recreation Hall: First Dinner Served in Play Center Created at Cost of $97,000," Los Angeles Times, Feb 21, 1942.
"Recreation Pact Signed: Burbank Will Operate $97,000 Structure for Federal Security Agency," Los Angeles Times, Feb 26, 1942.
Site originally submitted by Lauren Davies on October 20, 2024.
Site last updated on October 20, 2024.
Site Details
| Total Cost |
|---|
| $97,000 |
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