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Joe Fama's avatar

As a kid from Queens, we went to Astoria Park and pool. I think it must have been another WPA pool. Google lists it and Betsy Head pool as both being 330 ft. x 165 ft. That can't be a coincidence. The most impressive thing about Astoria pool is that it is framed by the Hellgate Bridge on one side and the Triborough on the other. Photos are dramatic. https://www.yelp.com/biz/astoria-park-pool-astoria

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Suzanne Spellen's avatar

I know, it's a dramatic photo. My article was originally for a Brooklyn blog, so I concentrated primarily on their pools, built with WPA money. More pools were built in other locations in the city, and there are many built later than the 1930s. But the background of the Hellgate Bridge is really cool!

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Unset's avatar

My takeaway from Caro's book was that Moses' Parks Dept legacy was mostly positive, in contrast to his TBA and Planning Commission debacles.

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Suzanne Spellen's avatar

I agree, mostly positive. I do have some quibbles over some of the buildings and features he removed from some of the parks, like Prospect Park, but all in all, his work at the Parks Dept. was a much more positive legacy, one that anyone would find impressive.

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