Chelsea Recreation Center

The Chelsea Recreation Center spans 56,500 square feet across six floors, containing a swimming pool, basketball courts, and fitness facilities for community use.

Construction initially began in 1973 but halted in 1976 due to New York City's financial crisis, leaving the structure abandoned until work resumed in the early 2000s.

A five-panel mural featuring 175,000 tiles based on dolphin photographs by Tsuneo Nakamura decorates the center, gifted by the Italian Trade Commission.

The center provides free access to children under 18, while adults pay $150 annually and seniors over 62 pay $25 for membership.

Local residents campaigned for 25 years to complete the center, leading to a ceremony where politicians used gold sledgehammers to mark construction resumption.

Location: New York

Inception: May 11, 2004

Floors above the ground: 6

Website: http://nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/M260

GPS coordinates: 40.74840,-74.00200

Latest update: March 4, 2025 00:38