Crotona Play Center
Encyclopedia
Crotona Play Center is the only swimming pool complex built by the Works Progress Administration
in the Bronx. It opened in July 1936. It was designated a New York City
landmark in 2007. Named for the ancient Greek city of Croton, it is located in Crotona Park
on property which was formerly the estate of the Bathgate family.
- topped pilasters on the bathhouse and bas-reliefs in the sitting niches which are adjacent to the pool.
skylights. A large bathhouse is situated between the pool and a wading pool area used at an earlier time. The interior of the bathhouse is admirable, with mirror-image locker rooms
and arched concrete buttresses extending across overhead.
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
in the Bronx. It opened in July 1936. It was designated a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
landmark in 2007. Named for the ancient Greek city of Croton, it is located in Crotona Park
Crotona Park
Crotona Park is a public park in the Bronx, New York City, United States. It covers or one-fifth of a square mile , including a 3.3 acre lake, the Bronx's largest swimming pool, and 28 species of trees...
on property which was formerly the estate of the Bathgate family.
Design
The Crotona Play Center was designed by Herbert Magoon, Aymar Embery II, and others, it is located at Fulton Avenue, between East 172nd Street and East 174th Street. Its design combines modern classical and moderne elements. The primary buildings are decorated with sculptures by Frederick G.R. Roth. This includes ibisIbis
The ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae....
- topped pilasters on the bathhouse and bas-reliefs in the sitting niches which are adjacent to the pool.
Features
The facility is entered through a very large arched brick gateway, which is overlooked by glass-blockskylights. A large bathhouse is situated between the pool and a wading pool area used at an earlier time. The interior of the bathhouse is admirable, with mirror-image locker rooms
and arched concrete buttresses extending across overhead.