about us

The Coalition to Save the Public Recreation Center Downtown (“SPRCD” or “sparked”) was born out of the growing concern over the erosion of public spaces in our community, particularly those that serve as vital cultural landmarks like The Tony Dapolito Center. The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center is a public recreational facility located in the heart of the West Village at 1 Clarkson Street. The Center boasts an outdoor pool surrounded by a Keith Haring mural, a rare jewel of public art and point of pride downtown. For more than a century, the facility has been a cornerstone of our neighborhood, providing affordable and accessible programs and services to people of all ages. 

In 2019, the NYC Parks Department under Mayor Eric Adams shut down the outdoor pool for repairs.

In 2021, the NYC Parks Department shut down the entire Center also allegedly for repairs.

But on July 10, 2024 the Eric Adams administration announced that they planned to demolish this rare, public facility. The administration further represented that, despite public promises to the contrary, no meaningful repairs had been made to the facility.

The threat of demolition highlights a disturbing trend in urban planning—where community spaces are systematically neglected then eradicated, leaving behind those who rely on these public amenities the most. For many, the center provides an affordable way to stay active, socialize, and find respite from the pressures of daily life. It features a basketball court, a running track and indoor and outdoor pools, for instance, that are more than just facilities for swimming, playing ball or exercising - they are spaces where neighbors connect, families spend quality time together, and children learn valuable skills. Our coalition aims to protect the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center not just as a building, but as a symbol of inclusivity and public investment in the well-being of all residents.

In addition, we stand in defense of the Keith Haring mural adorning the outdoor pool part of the Center, a powerful piece of public art that embodies the spirit of social activism and accessibility. For Haring, art was never intended to be confined to galleries or elite spaces; he believed that art should belong to everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. His vibrant work on the wall bordering the outdoor public pool is a testament to this ethos. Haring’s legacy lives on through this mural, and its destruction would erase a significant piece of public history.

But this fight goes beyond protecting a physical building or a mural—it’s also about honoring LGBTQ+ history and the ongoing struggle for equal rights. Keith Haring was a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, especially during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and his work continues to resonate with those who fight for justice and visibility. The mural adorning the outdoor pool isn’t just a beautiful work of art - it serves as a poignant reminder of the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience during one of the darkest periods in history. Preserving this artwork is a vital act of remembering and recognizing the contributions of those who fought tirelessly for visibility and equality in the face of discrimination and crisis.

As a coalition, we are committed to defending both the legacy of public spaces and the artistic expressions that tell our shared story. We are dedicated to ensuring that the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center and the Keith Haring mural remain intact, protected, and accessible for future generations to enjoy, learn from, and be inspired by.