4. Highbridge Park’s Pool Originally Charged 20 Cents for Admission

The Highbridge Pool and Recreation Center was the fifth of eleven city pools that were constructed in 1936 under the influence of Parks Commissioner (and avid swimmer) Robert Moses.

When it opened on July 14th, a celebratory swimming and diving exhibition took place with Moses and Mayor Fiorelo LaGuardia both in attendance. The 165-foot by 228-foot pool, which could hold over 4,000 people, was illuminated with underwater lighting and featured new heating, ventilation, electrical and filtering systems; at the time, admission was only 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.

Read about 5 things we can blame on Robert Moses and 8 things we can thank him for.