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Outdoor Recreation in the City
As summer falls upon the city, New Yorkers have long-filled the public parks, pools, bike paths, tracks and stadiums to enjoy some friendly competition under the sun. These photos take you through some of the city's iconic outdoor sporting locales, from the public gymnastic rings that once drew crowds on the Hudson River, to the well-loved public pools that still scatter the city today.
Jackie Robinson Park and Pool
The Olympic Pool in Colonial Park (now Jackie Robinson Park) in Harlem was built in 1936, when city planner Robert Moses spearheaded several WPA projects throughout the city, including 11 pools. A welcome alternative for many New Yorkers to beat summer heat, these pools changed the way city kids spent their summers.
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Betsy Head Memorial Park
This public pool, built in 1915, preceded the wave of WPA pools to come to the city in the 30s. Just one feature of Betsy Head Memorial Park, this pool served the Brownsville neighborhood, including its population of Jewish immigrants.
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Hudsonbank Gymnasium
Hudsonbank Gymnasium, located on the Hudson River in mid-Manhattan, was New York City's first outdoor public playground. It was built by the Outdoor Recreation League in 1898. Young people from city tenements filled the park for its foot races, gymnastics rings, and sporting fields.
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Betsy Head Memorial Park
Brownsville residents in 1920 enjoying a staple of the New York Summer: baseball.
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Yankee Stadium
Much like these spectators in 1955, many New Yorkers flock to baseball stadiums on summer nights to watch the Yankees or the Mets, depending on their persuasion.
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Manhattan Beach
Going to the beach may be a staple of summer activities. This swimmer is ready to dive in to the ocean at Manhattan beach
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Manhattan Beach Race Track
Manhattan Beach is actually on the southern tip of Brooklyn, and faces the Atlantic Ocean. Now populated with carnival rides and playgrounds for kids, this outdoor recreation area was built in 1827, and featured racetracks, boxing rings, and more.
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Manhattan Beach Race Track
This ramp, made for bike tricks, was also part of the summer entertainment on Manhattan Beach.
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Manhattan Beach Race Track
Spectators at Manhattan Beach watch an outdoor boxing match in 1895.
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Berkeley Oval
A race at the 1896 Interscholastic Games at Berkeley Oval, in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx.
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