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  • Samuel Tilden High School - Brooklyn NY
    Samuel Tilden High School in Brooklyn, New York originally opened in 1930. However, an addition to the facility was constructed in 1938-9 with as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $471,600 grant for the addition, whose total construction cost was $788,100. PWA Docket No. NY 1554
  • Samuel Tilden High School Mural - Brooklyn NY
    "The WPA would make another addition to the Samuel J. Tilden High School, this time in the form of a mural for the auditorium. The project took nearly two years to complete, as muralist Abraham Lishinsky, working with his colleague Irving A. Block, designed and painted a 2,400-square-foot mural depicting “Major Influences in Civilization” for the auditorium. Among the six assistants they employed over time was the artist Abram "Al" Lerner."
  • Sanitation Department Building - Whitestone NY
    Sanitation Department Section Station 144 in Whitestone, New York was constructed in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Interestingly, construction of the Cross Island Parkway made it necessary to plan to relocate the building the next year, to a site a few hundred feet north on 149th Street. The entire new building (as well as a neighboring fire station) was relocated to the new site, as opposed to being built from scratch, resulting in substantial savings to the city.
  • Sara D. Roosevelt Park - New York NY
    The Sara Delano Roosevelt Park on Manhattan's Lower East Side was named after F.D.R.'s mother. The NYC Parks Department website reports: "The parkland was acquired by the City in 1929 for the purpose of widening Chrystie and Forsythe Streets and building low-cost housing but was later set aside for "playgrounds and resting places for mothers and children." The construction of the park in 1934 was the largest park project on the Lower East Side since the acquisition of Tompkins Square Park a century earlier. Parts of four streets were closed (Hester, Broome, Rivington, and Stanton) to accommodate seven distinct play areas...
  • Sarsfield Playground - Brooklyn NY
    On July 9, 1941, the Department of Parks announced the completion of what is now the Eugene Sarsfield Playground in Brooklyn. The press release announcing the park's opening reported: "To provide a flat play surface it was necessary to construct a concrete retaining wall of variable height along the north property line with a short stairway access provided from Avenue "M". An 8' chain link boundary fence has been placed on top of this wall and along the entire property line. A second entrance leads from Flatlands Avenue near the corner of Ryder Street. Seventeen 2½-3" diameter Norway maples have been planted...
  • Scarangella Playground - Brooklyn NY
    This site was acquired by the city through condemnation in 1929 and 1930 and became parkland shortly thereafter. In August 1935, the Department of Parks announced the opening of a new playground at the site, which included "a wading pool and the usual play apparatus." It used to be known as the Lafayette High School Playground after the nearby school and was renamed the John S. Scarangella Playground in 1992. The playground was renovated in 1997. As researcher Frank da Cruz explains here, almost all New York City Parks Department projects between 1934 and 1943 were accomplished with New Deal funds...
  • Schmul Park Playground - Staten Island NY
    The Department of Parks issued a press release on April 19, 1939 announcing the opening of Schmul Park on Staten Island. Park Commissioner Robert Moses presided over the ceremonies. The release explained that: "Approximately one-half of this 8½-acre plot has been developed by the Works Progress Administration under the supervision of the Park Department into a recreational area, equipped with playground apparatus, for the children of the adjacent community. There is also a one-story brick comfort station. Later, when sufficient fill is available, the remaining portion of the park will be developed to provide facilities for baseball and other types of group...
  • Schomburg Center: Douglas Murals - New York NY
    Aaron Douglas completed this four-panel mural, entitled Aspects of Negro Life, in 1934 through the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). At the time, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture was the 135th Street branch of The New York Public Library.   A leading artist of the Harlem Renaissance, Douglas painted these murals to reflect African and African American history, the African American present, and his vision of a promising future. According to the Treasures of The New York Public Library website, "Among his best-known works, the four panels of Aspects of Negro Life are characteristic of Douglas's style, with graphically incisive...
  • Schomburg Center: Johnson Murals - New York NY
    Malvin Gary Johnson painted two murals, "Nat Turner" and "Toussaint L'Ouverture" in 1934 with funds provided by the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP).
  • Seaview Children's Hospital (former) - Staten Island NY
    Seaview Hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium constructed "between 1905 and 1938 and was the largest and most costly municipal facility for the treatment of tuberculosis of its date in the United States" (wikipedia). The children's hospital pictured here was constructed by the PWA. The hospital was eventually abandoned and spent many years in a state of ruin. In recent years some of the facilities have been restored as the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center. As far as the Living New Deal has been able to ascertain, however, this building remains in ruins.
  • Seaview Hospital Improvements - Staten Island NY
    Seaview Hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium constructed "between 1905 and 1938 and was the largest and most costly municipal facility for the treatment of tuberculosis of its date in the United States" (wikipedia). In addition to the nurses' residence and children's hospital, New Deal agencies did other work on the site, including completing new roads, like the one pictured here. The hospital was eventually abandoned and spent many years in a state of ruin, but in recent years many of the facilities have been restored as the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center.
  • Seaview Hospital Nurses' Home (former) - Staten Island NY
    Seaview Hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium constructed "between 1905 and 1938 and was the largest and most costly municipal facility for the treatment of tuberculosis of its date in the United States" (wikipedia). The nurses' residence pictured here was constructed by the PWA. The hospital was eventually abandoned and spent many years in a state of ruin. Many of the facilities were eventually restored as  the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and the nurses' residence was turned into a senior housing facility known as Park Lane at Sea View. However, the Living New Deal recently received word that the facilities have fallen into ruin.  
  • Seawall and Boathouse - Whitestone NY
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a "sea wall and boathouse" by the site of the former Naval Militia armory in Whitestone, New York. The boathouse, which still stands, is likely abandoned.
  • Second Place Health Station (former) - Brooklyn NY
    The Department of Health medical center at 62 Second Place in Brooklyn was constructed with Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. This was one of three infant health stations in Brooklyn dedicated by Mayor La Guardia on May 10, 1939. The buildings cost about $50,000 each, with the WPA paying 60% and the city paying 40% of the costs. The building continues to serve health purposes, though the operations are now privately owned.
  • Seth Low Playground - Brooklyn NY
    This five-acre playground in Brooklyn was first established in 1924. In 1941 the WPA completed an extensive reconstruction of the main area of the park as well as the addition of a new 1/4 acre sitting area (Bealin Triangle) separated from the rest of the park by Stillwell Ave. The Department of Parks press release announcing the opening described the WPA's work: "The kindergarten area has been reduced in size and resurfaced. The existing seesaws and swings were relocated and... the school has been provided with new swings, slides and an exercise unit. The wading pool and comfort station area required minor...
  • Seventh Avenue (former) Paving - New York NY
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) assisted in the paving of what was then Seventh Avenue (now Frederick Douglass Blvd.) from 145th St. to 152nd St.
  • Seward Park - New York NY
    When the recreation area in Seward Park first opened in 1903, it was "the first permanent, municipally built playground in the United States" (NYC Parks). The park was significantly redeveloped during the New Deal. In April 1935, relief workers completed the reconstruction of the section of the park as a setting for the Jacob H. Schiff fountain, which had formerly been located in Rutgers Park. On November 26, 1940, Parks announced the completion of a good deal of this work: "This recreation area, one of the oldest and most extensively used in Manhattan, has been redesigned, reconstructed, and landscaped to provide wider all...
  • Sgt. William Dougherty Playground - Brooklyn NY
    This modest playground near the Northern edge of Brooklyn was developed under the New Deal. A Department of Parks press release from April 1, 1935 announced the opening of this playground "constructed with Work Relief Funds" and went on to describe the park's development and new facilities: "The playground at Vandervoort Avenue and Cherry Street has an area of nearly an acre. The land was acquired by the Sinking Fund Commission by purchase at a cost of £22,500 and it was turned over to the Department of Parks on April 3, 1924, for development as a playground, but the land lay...
  • Sheepshead Bay Development - Brooklyn NY
    In the late 1930s, the WPA rebuilt the piers along Emmons Avenue and the pedestrian footbridge spanning Sheepshead Bay. The footbridge connects Emmons Avenue with Shore Boulevard and Manhattan Beach. Excerpt from the (1939) WPA Guide to New York City, Federal Writers Project: The Sheepshead Bay Neighborhood, whose low wooden houses spread north of Emmons Avenue from the basin, has drawn metropolitan anglers and epicures since its founding in the early 1800's. Fronting the bay are many restaurants noted for their shore dinners. Best known are Lundy's, Villepigue's, Seidel's, the Beau Rivage, and Tappen's.   The Sheephead Bay fishing "fleet," consisting of about fifty boats,...
  • Shore Park, 3rd Ave. Playground - Brooklyn NY
    The New York Times reported that five playgrounds had been constructed by WPA labor within Shore Park along Brooklyn's Narrows, alongside the recently constructed Belt Parkway. The playgrounds were located at 79th St., 83rd St., Ridge Blvd., 99th St., and 3rd Ave. They were meant to accommodate people of all ages, providing "sandpits, swings and slides ..., court games ..., and athletic fields with field houses ..." The long 'shoestring park' was also equipped with promenades and bicycle paths. Facilities at this location are still in use today.
  • Shore Park, 79th St. Playground - Brooklyn NY
    The New York Times reported that five playgrounds had been constructed by WPA labor within Shore Park along Brooklyn's Narrows, alongside the recently constructed Belt Parkway. The playgrounds were located at 79th St., 83rd St., Ridge Blvd., 99th St., and 3rd Ave. They were meant to accommodate people of all ages, providing "sandpits, swings and slides ..., court games ..., and athletic fields with field houses ..." The long 'shoestring park' was also equipped with promenades and bicycle paths. The 79th Street Playground is still in use today.
  • Shore Park, 83rd St. Athletic Fields - Brooklyn NY
    The New York Times reported that five playgrounds had been constructed by WPA labor within Shore Park along Brooklyn's Narrows, alongside the recently constructed Belt Parkway. The playgrounds were located at 79th St., 83rd St., Ridge Blvd., 99th St., and 3rd Ave. They were meant to accommodate people of all ages, providing "sandpits, swings and slides ..., court games ..., and athletic fields with field houses ..." The long 'shoestring park' was also equipped with promenades and bicycle paths. Athletic fields are still in use at this location.
  • Shore Park, 99th St. Athletic Fields - Brooklyn NY
    The New York Times reported that five playgrounds had been constructed by WPA labor within Shore Park along Brooklyn's Narrows, alongside the recently constructed Belt Parkway. The playgrounds were located at 79th St., 83rd St., Ridge Blvd., 99th St., and 3rd Ave. They were meant to accommodate people of all ages, providing "sandpits, swings and slides ..., court games ..., and athletic fields with field houses ..." The long 'shoestring park' was also equipped with promenades and bicycle paths. Facilities at this location are still in use today.
  • Shore Park, Vinland Playground - Brooklyn NY
    The New York Times reported that five playgrounds had been constructed by WPA labor within Shore Park along Brooklyn's Narrows, alongside the recently constructed Belt Parkway. The playgrounds were located at 79th St., 83rd St., Ridge Blvd., 99th St., and 3rd Ave. They were meant to accommodate people of all ages, providing "sandpits, swings and slides ..., court games ..., and athletic fields with field houses ..." The long 'shoestring park' was also equipped with promenades and bicycle paths. Facilities at this location are still in use today.
  • Shore Road Park - Brooklyn NY
    The WPA and the Department of Parks together developed an extensive park and parkway area (sometimes known as Shore Road Park and sometimes as Shore Park) along the shore adjacent to the Belt Parkway. The area eventually developed extended from Owl's Head Park south to Fort Hamilton, and included multiple playgrounds and athletic fields. In August 1941, Parks announced the completion of the first section of the Shore Road Park development stretching from Bay Ridge Ave. to 72nd St. The WPA's work included: "remov a considerable quantity of old paving, benches and drinking fountains. The new promenade along the west side...
  • Silver Lake Golf Course Reconstruction - Staten Island NY
    On May 7, 1936, the Department of Parks announced the opening of the Silver Lake Golf Course, which had been "thoroughly reconstructed with new tees and greens throughout...with relief funds provided by the C.W.A., T.E.R.A. and W.P.A."
  • Sixteen Sycamores Playground - Brooklyn NY
    "Originally acquired by the City in 1934 in connection with the construction of a subway, this site was owned by the Board of Transportation until it was assigned to Parks in 1961. In 1935, workers in the brand-new Works Progress Administration (WPA) planned and constructed Sixteen Sycamores Playground... Sixteen Sycamores Playground opened to the public on June 6, 1935. The playground, bursting with green foliage around its perimeter, offers several sets of play equipment with safety surfacing, handball courts, swings, and a comfort station. A yardarm flagpole stands in the center of the playground, and benches offer a peaceful spot to...
  • Sixteenth Avenue Health Station (abandoned) - Brooklyn NY
    The Department of Health medical center at 8658 16th Ave. in Brooklyn was constructed with Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. This was one of three infant health stations in Brooklyn dedicated by Mayor La Guardia on May 10, 1939. The buildings cost about $50,000 each, with the WPA paying 60% and the city paying 40% of the costs. Google Street View imagery of the site suggests that the building is presently vacant.
  • Slosson Avenue Development - Staten Island NY
    The federal Work Projects Administration put many men to work starting in 1935 with a Staten Island project that removed dangerous street ditches from roads throughout the borough. Granite block gutters and headers were installed by WPA laborers along a dozen streets, including the 1.2-mile stretch of Slosson Avenue between Martling Avenue and Victory Boulevard.
  • Smith Street Widening - Brooklyn NY
    Smith Street was widened in the 1930s as a Public Works Administration (PWA) project.
  • Snyder Avenue Court Building (demolished) Improvements - Brooklyn NY
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a sizable public building improvement project in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1935.  The project involved the "Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices" at more than 30 locations, including the old Snyder Avenue Court Building at 27-to-31 Snyder Ave. Living New Deal believes the building is no longer extant.
  • South 5th Street Widening - Brooklyn NY
    The federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook several road improvement projects along roads in Brooklyn, New York. One such project involved the widening of South 5th Street from Marcy Ave. to Union Ave. This project likely improved the flow of vehicular traffic entering Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge.
  • South Pacific Playground - Brooklyn NY
    On July 28, 1937, the Department of Parks announced the opening of "five playgrounds, constructed by the Department of Parks with relief labor and funds," noting that "These playgrounds are five of the twenty-four sites in neglected areas selected by the Commissioner of Parks and acquired by condemnation after authorization by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment on July 15, 1936." One of these five playgrounds was the South Pacific Playground. It is still extant. Although the 1937 press release does not mention which New Deal agencies were involved, researcher Frank da Cruz explains here that almost all New York City Parks...
  • Southern Field - South Ozone Park NY
    On June 18, 1941, the Department of Parks announced the completion a large recreation area stretching from 114th to 121st Streets along the Southern Parkway (part of the Belt Parkway): "At the 114th to 121st location the construction of five softball diamonds, chain link fence enclosures, grading and seeding is completed. Separating the two ballfields opposite 114th Place and again, the two opposite 116th Street, sets of three-tier concrete bleachers have been constructed in a double or back-to-back arrangement, so that each of the four ballfields is provided with spectator accommodations. The diamonds all have hooded backstops. An irrigation system has...
  • Split Rock Golf Course and Clubhouse - Bronx NY
    The New York City Parks Department website declares: "Despite the hardships endured by New Yorkers over the course of the World Wars and the Great Depression, the demand for golf courses increased steadily. Under the tenure of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981), New York City’s recreational facilities saw great changes. With federal funding provided by the Works Progress Administration, Moses created a variety of new public facilities and expanded others throughout the city. In 1936, the Pell Golf Course was refurbished, and renamed the Pelham Golf Course. That same year, the adjacent Split Rock Golf Course and clubhouse were built." The New...
  • Springfield Boulevard Improvements - Queens NY
    The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches of road. Holes were filled in and the streets were smoothed, surfaced and reconditioned. Roads improved as part of this project (WPA Official Project No. 65-97-9) included large stretches of Springfield Boulevard.
  • Springfield Park - Springfield Gardens NY
    Springfield Park was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and were "turned over to the Park Department" on August 18, 1939. "A three-acre lake, once a mosquito-breeding swamp, is the center of the Springfield Gardens development," wrote The New York Times, "which embraces seventeen and one-half acres and includes an athletic field, a football gridiron, two basketball courts, two softball diamonds and more than 100 shade trees."
  • St. Albans Park Playground - Jamaica NY
    The land for St. Albans Memorial Park in Queens was first acquired by Parks in 1914 and received its current name in 1932. A Department of Parks press release announced the opening of a new playground in St. Albans Park on July 17, 1934. At that time, the playground contained "facilities for softball and basketball, besides see-saws, swings, horizontal bars and ladders. Here too, benches and shade trees are part of the layout." Although the release does not mention the WPA or other New Deal agencies, researcher Frank da Cruz explains here that almost all New York City Parks Department projects...
  • St. Catherine's Park - New York NY
    In June 1941, the Department of Parks announced the completion of the reconstruction of the St. Catherine's Park playground in Manhattan: "This 1 1/3 acre recreation area is fenced in with a 6' chain link fence and bordered with rows of benches and shade trees. The easterly half of the area has been set aside for children and besides a large wading pool which can also be used as a volley ball court, it contains a sand pit, see saws, slides, swings, and a small sitting area for guardians of children. The westerly portion adjacent to the High School has two soft...
  • St. James Park - Bronx NY
    "St. James Park was created by the City about 1900 and named after a nearby church. According to a NYC Parks Department press of June 3, 1935: This park is eleven and one half acres in area and was completely replanned and reconstructed during the past four months. A Central Mall, with wide bench line paths facing a centre turf panel, bisects the area taking the place of the former dusty extension of 132nd Street. South of the Mall is a large open lawn encircled by a promenade for park visitors. The northern section is devoted principally to recreation activities. Twelve...
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