Central Park

Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery Takes A Dip Into History

On view July 13 – September 7, 2006 at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Splash! A 70^th Anniversary Celebration of New York City’s WPA-Era Pools features vintage photographs that represent the eleven outdoor public pools that New York City opened in the summer of 1936. Also included in the show are never-before-exhibited historic color films, contemporary photographs and two bronze eagles that once ornamented McCarren Pool.

The summer of 1936, deep in the Great Depression, broke local heat records. The debut of eleven immense outdoor public pools scattered throughout the five boroughs could not have come at a more opportune moment. The project was financed by the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA), as part of a massive effort to alleviate adverse health conditions and provide safe recreation in predominantly working-class communities. The project was implemented by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, himself an avid swimmer.

Massive in size, the pools combined could—and often did—accommodate more than 43,000 bathers. They were also examples of state-of-the-art engineering and fine design. The planning team, led by architect Aymar Embury II and landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke, produced a series of distinct complexes, each one sensitive to its site and topography. Massive filtration systems, heating units and even underwater lighting provided a more controlled bathing experience than the often treacherous and polluted waterfront currents in which the City’s masses had traditionally swum. The palette of building materials was mainly inexpensive brick, concrete and cast stone, but the styles ranged from Romanesque Revival to Art Deco.

The exhibition, curated by Parks & Recreation’s Director of Art & Antiquities Jonathan Kuhn, illustrates the design and construction, as well as the instructional and leisure use of the pools. The majority of photographs were taken by Parks staff photographers and are courtesy of the New York City Parks Photo Archive. Additional contemporary images are loaned by Thomas Roma and Tim Knox. Historic renderings on loan from Parks & Recreation’s Map File Collections.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, wildlife, New York City parks and park history. It is located on the third floor of the Parks Department Headquarters, in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64^th Street. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The gallery is closed on September 4. Admission is free.

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Accompanying guide to the exhibition and press prints available upon request.

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center