Sunset Park Recreation Center

July 20, 1936 - present

The Sunset Park Recreation Center, located at 4200 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232, also known as Sunset Play Center, was created in 1936. It was built primarily using funds from the New Deal era Works Progress Administration. A major feature at this center is an Olympic- sized swimming pool along with wading pools. Additionally, there are daily programs available at the recreation center including dance class, table tennis tournaments, media lab classes, etc. This project was also spearheaded by the NYC Parks Commissioner at the time, Robert Moses to bring more opportunities for swimming lessons to children throughout NYC. More currently, in August 2023, asylum seekers were brought to the Sunset Play Center.

This is a photo of the Sunset Park swimming pool that opened in 1936. Mayor Fiorello La Guardia turned on the underwater lights for the first time.
This is a photograph of the front facing portion of the Sunset Play Center.
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Details

Categories
Organization/Association, Playground
Corporate Body
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Tags
computerlab, newdeal, pool, swimminglessons, wpa, tabletennis
Notes
The Sunset Park Recreation Center has been closed since June 23, 2023 due to construction.

Location

  • 4200 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232, USA
    ? - ?

Archival Collections

  • c. 1933 - 1960
    at New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
    Sites of Teaching & Learning 2

References

  1. Some come out against housing asylum seekers at Sunset Park Rec Center. (2023, August 6). CBS New York. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3WXVXNzHe4
  2. Sunset Park : NYC parks. (n.d.). https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sunset-park
  3. New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. 1969 Parks Department Press Releases (Part 2), page 39. 27 July 1969. Historical Reports, Press Releases, and Minutes, https://www.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/41861934_press_releases_part1.pdf.