Wasn’t Williamsbridge Oval Park once a reservoir? Picture this. The year is 1937. The newly completed Williamsbridge Oval Park opens its gates. It’s not just any park. It’s a product of President Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal. This park built on the site of the old Gun Hill Williamsbridge Reservoir brought jobs during the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration WPA created this green space. Robert Moses’ influence on New York City’s public works is evident here. The park is more than just grass and trees. It’s a social history. For generations it was a neighborhood hub not an escape. Kids played in the sprinklers rink nicknamed “the showers”. They braved the metal slides and monkey bars of the playground. They raced to the top of the metal slides. They often fell onto the hard concrete. The Oval Park tunnel served as an echo chamber for youthful voices and shelter from sudden storms. Teenagers snuck into the small pool after hours. They risked encounters with the slow security guard on his motorized scooter. The football field hosted informal neighborhood games and semi-pro teams on Sundays. Those players were huge and intimidating. They cursed a lot. The walking paths offered secluded spots but also held dangers. The park has changed. It underwent renovations. Modern amenities replaced older features. The original 1930s recreation center reopened in 2013. Yet the spirit of Williamsbridge Oval Park remains. It continues to serve the community. It’s a place of memories laughter and Bronx history. It’s a place I remember well from my childhood.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to