Start Year: 1942

In 1942, the Lanham Act allocated 7 acres and funding for the Federal Works Agency (FWA) to construct sports facilities at Oxon Run at Mississippi Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets, SE.   It is unknown is the Oxon Run pool dates from this period and if any remnants of the New Deal work remain at the site. The playground preceded what is now Oxon Run Park, a 300 acre area created in 1971 and still a major recreation area today, with bicycle paths, jogging paths, and a baseball diamond.

In 1942, the Washington Post reported the approval of $40,270 in funding for the Federal Works Administration (FWA) to build and/or make improvements to the Hillcrest Recreation Center. This was the largest sum appropriated for parks work in the Lanham Act. Exactly what was done is unknown to us, but the facility has a recreation hall, tennis courts (at another location), and a putting green.  The present Hillcrest Recreation Center dates from the early 2000s.

In 1942, the Washington Post reported the approval of $16,500 in funding for the Federal Works Agency (FWA) to build and/or make improvements to the Langston Recreation Center (now the Langston Playground) in Anacostia Park, next to the Langston Golf Course. It is known if the present football field, basketball courts and other improvements at the site are left from the New Deal era.

The present day Anacostia Pool & Recreation Center was constructed at the very end of the New Deal, as it overlapped with the country's entry into World War II.   On May 15, 1942, the Evening Star newspaper reported that “A $69,000 recreation center for servicemen to be erected in Anacostia and operated by the United Service Organization has been approved by President Roosevelt… the new center will include a large social hall, refreshment stand, reading, writing, and game rooms and other facilities. The hall will be used for dances, movies and sports.” The Federal Works Agency (FWA) was to plan...

In 1942, the Washington Post reported the approval of $11,600 in funding for the Federal Works Agency (FWA) to make improvements and/or additions to Stoddert Playground – today's Stoddert Recreation Center. It is not certain what work was done, but the baseball field at the present Recreation Center has all the marks of a New Deal ball field and the Recreation Center building is possibly from the 1940s.

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 and play fields, but it has not been confirmed that the work was completed or which part of the present facility is New Deal, if any. Note that this is a few blocks north of the other Fort Stevens New Deal work site.

In 1942, the Washington Post reported the approval of $17,586 in funding for the Federal Works Agency (FWA) to build and/or make improvements to the Phoebe Hearst Playground, now the Hearst Recreation Center.   It is not certain if any of the current play fields, tennis courts or playground at the Elementary School are products of this New Deal work.

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 have been wiped out by the construction of I-66 after World War II.

In 1942, the Washington Post reported the allocation of $21,010 to the Federal Works Agency (FWA) for new construction and improvements to the Powell Recreation Center on 16th Street NW.

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 Eckington neighborhood of NE Washington. As part of the District's new PlayDC initiative, the site was renovated in 2013. It is unclear what FWA work may still be visible at the site.