Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Astoria Pool, Olympic Tryout Pool
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Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Astoria Park Pool and Play Center

Site overview

Opened on July 2, 1936, the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center commands a striking waterfront location in Astoria Park, Queens. The vast scale of the pool complex is complemented by that of its setting – the distant vistas westward framed by the monumental forms of the Hell Gate and Triborough Bridges. The complex is one of a group of eleven immense new outdoor swimming pools which were opened in the summer of 1936 in a series of grand ceremonies presided over by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, all constructed largely with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration.

Primary classification

Recreation (REC)

Secondary classification

Public Services (PBS)

Terms of protection

NYC Landmark LP-2196 (30 June 2006)

Designations

New York City Individual Landmark, designated June 30, 2006

How to Visit

Open to the public

Location

19th St. and Hoyt Avenue North
Queens, NY, 11105

Country

US
More visitation information

Designer(s)

Other designers

Aymar Embury II (Consulting Architect); Gilmore D. Clarke and Allyn R. Jennings (Landscape); W. Earle Andrews and William H. Latham (Consulting Engineers; Robert Moses (NYC Parks Commissioner)

Related Sites

Commission

1934

Completion

2 July 1936

Commission / Completion details

Start of site work: 1934; Opened July 2,1936

Significant Alteration(s) with Date(s)

1943: Stainless steel statues by entrance removed due to deterioration1946: Surrounding playgrounds reconstructed1948: New gutters in pool1948-1963: One story brick rooftop addition for concessions added to filter house.1963: Facility rehabilitated for 1964 Olympic Trials: New concrete decks on upper and lower promenade, some new window sashes, repainted, glass pylons over main entranceway resurfaced with brick.1979-1982: Park upgraded: playground to SW replaced with ball courts, new seawall, south comfort station demolished, north comfort station rehabilitated1991: Main swimming pool reconstructed1998-99: Main swimming pool reconstructed and physical plant upgrade1996-2001: North playground rebuilt, comfort station restored.2000-2004: Minor site works to pool complex.

Current Use

Recreational public pool and play ground in a public park.

Current Condition

The pool complex is only open to the public during the summer months from Memorial Day to Labour Day. In the off season the pool complex is mothballed and will require heavy maintenance before the following summer season. The diving pool on the southwest side of the complex has been inactive since 196X. In December 2011, the local councillor planned to turn this part of the pool complex into a community amphitheater.

References

http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2196.pdf