Astoria Pool, ca. 1940.

Astoria Pool is the largest of the 11 public pools opened in the summer of 1936 under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration and the planning of Robert Moses (who was an avid swimmer). The pool structures, including the diving towers, fountains, and the bathing pavilion are all of a subtle Art Moderne style. The pool opened July 2, 1936 and two days later hosted the Olympic Trials for the U.S. Swim and Diving Teams who soon there after attended the Olympics in Berlin. The trials would return to the pool in 1952 and 1964. In both cases the two fountains located on the east end of the pool were lit as Olympic torches through the events.

Today the pool continues to serve the local neighborhood during the summer months. The diving pool was closed in the 1970s and has been deteriorating since then. In 2012 renderings were release for the conversation of the diving pool into a performance venue but as of 2017 no such project has commenced.