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January 30, 2007
LPC To Discuss Fate of WPA Pools Today
In its afternoon session today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will be considering whether to individually designate nine WPA-built public pools (and, in some cases, accompanying bath houses). In Brooklyn, the McCarrren, Red Hook and Sunset Park pools are all up for discussion. You'd have to be living under a rock not to know that McCarren Park Pool (which was built in 1936) has been enjoying a second life as a popular concert site in the warmer weather in recent years but what about the other two? What's become of them? What will it mean for all three if they are indeed landmarked? Will they become functioning pools again? UPDATE: The LPC heard all the testimony this afternoon but took no action.
LPC Jan. 30 Agenda [NYC.gov]
Should McCarren Park Pool Be Restored? [Brownstoner]
Landmarks Designation Hearing Jan. 30 [Historic Districts]
McCarren Pool Up for Landmarking [Gowanus Lounge]
Photo by ericlaire
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Comments
Isn't redhook still a functioning pool?
Landmark status doesn't designate use, just provides protection for the architectural heritage.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 9:16 AM
so is Sunset Park. Haven't been to SP's, but Red Hook's is lovely.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 9:19 AM
Red Hook is indeed a functioning pool right now. (well not right now, cause it is kinda cold, but ...). It is conveniently located near the Mexican and Central American food vendors at the ball fields in Red Hook. Although the pool has many rules, it is glorious.
Posted by: putnam-denizen at January 30, 2007 9:22 AM
I believe that with the exception of McCarren, all of the other WPA-era pools are still functioning.
Posted by: Halden at January 30, 2007 9:27 AM
Halden is correct, ten of 11 have been restored. McCarren Park ... you gotta be careful what you wish for. Certain parties blocked the restoration in the mid-80s for xenophobic reasons. Now they've got rock and roll instead.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 9:34 AM
I went to the Red Hook pool last summer, and it was great!
Posted by: lesterhead at January 30, 2007 10:14 AM
If McCarren Park Pool continues to serve as an outdoor concert facility, it should be a little more diverse in music, so more people can enjoy it.
Something like Central Park Summer Stage.. a little bit for everyone
Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 10:45 AM
9:34,
Why diidn't they just fill McCarren with ice cold water like Robert Moses did. Blacks and Browns don't like cold water. Problem solved. Learn from the past people!
Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 10:48 AM
What about the big public pool in Bushwick? I recall driving by off-season and being impressed with facade, but unsure if it was in use or not.
Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at January 30, 2007 12:23 PM
And whites do like ice cold water? Go back in your hole, racist.
Posted by: carla at January 30, 2007 9:04 PM
Many of the pools are open and thriving. This reminds me of when Brownstoner didn't know what the parade grounds were.
Posted by: anon at January 30, 2007 9:13 PM
Carla - 10:48 might have been flip, but I don't think he was being racist. Go read Robert Caro's "The Power Broker" for the reference (the chapter on the pools, where Moses is alleged to have to just that - lowered the temp of the pools to keep people of color out).
Posted by: AnonAnon at January 30, 2007 10:44 PM
Caro's opinion that Moses was a racist is just that. He wrote the definitive biography, but that doesn't mean that he is always correct. There is a good deal of evidence that Moses was not a racist.
Anybody attend the hearings? Who has an update?
Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2007 3:11 PM
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