Crotona Play Center

Clutching your towel and sunscreen, have you ever imagined stepping back in time to experience the golden age of New York City parks? Right here, at the Crotona Play Center, you can do just that. The Crotona Play Center isn’t just a pool; it’s a portal to a bygone era, a monument to the vision of Robert Moses and the tireless efforts of the Works Progress Administration. Constructed between 1934 and 1936 during the Great Depression, the Crotona Play Center stands as a testament to the city’s resilience and commitment to public recreation. It was, and still is, the only WPA-funded pool complex in the Bronx, a beacon of hope and leisure for a community struggling through economic hardship. The Crotona Play Center’s grandeur begins with its main entrance on Fulton Avenue and 173rd Street. A magnificent arched brick gateway, flanked by two imposing towers with glass-block skylights, welcomes you. Look up, and you’ll see the recently restored lanterns atop these towers, glowing like jewels against the sky. Ascend the brick stairway, and you’ll find yourself in a serene courtyard embraced by a two-story structure and a second-floor balcony. Imagine the countless visitors who have passed through this very courtyard, their laughter echoing through the years. The courtyard building’s southern facade boasts an overpass connecting to a brick first-aid station, a testament to the thoughtful design of architects Herbert D. Magoon, Aymar Embury II, and Gilmore David Clarke. Their Art Moderne and Modern Classical design elements are evident throughout the Crotona Play Center, especially in the rectangular bathhouse building just east of the courtyard. This bathhouse, with its brick facade and cast stone details, separates the main pool from the former wading pool area, now transformed into Bathgate Playground. The bathhouse contains mirror-image locker rooms for men and women, complete with arched concrete buttresses supporting the ceilings. During the cooler months, these locker rooms are repurposed as gymnasiums, providing year-round recreational opportunities. Beyond the bathhouse lies the main attraction: the enormous rectangular pool, measuring a staggering 330 by 125 feet. This pool is not just a place to cool off; it’s a stage where memories are made, from children splashing joyously to seasoned swimmers perfecting their strokes. To the south, where a semicircular diving pool once stood, you’ll now find refreshing spray fountains, offering a different kind of aquatic fun. Concrete bleachers line the western edge, offering a prime spot to soak in the sun and the vibrant atmosphere. The eastern side features twelve inviting niches with benches built into the retaining wall, perfect for a moment of quiet contemplation. The Crotona Play Center is more than just a historic landmark; it’s a living testament to the power of public spaces to uplift and unite communities. As you leave this oasis in the bustling South Bronx, carry with you the echoes of laughter, the splash of cool water, and the knowledge that you’ve experienced a true gem of New York City’s past and present.