From 1935-1941, the area on Moscow Road became the home of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S.P. 53. Much of the work of the park can be traced to the work of the CCC men. They built the park roads, seawalls, shelters, trails, comfort stations, drinking fountains, fireplaces and shelter 1, 3 and the pastrk concession stand.
The workers living at the camp worked to improve the park’s facilities during the Great Depression.
- Able-bodied young men enlisted in the program and worked for a dollar a day/ $30 per month. $25 dollars was sent home to their families.
- Evidence of the CCC’s work in the park can be seen in the stonework of the old bathhouse, shelters and comfort stations in the park as well as the stonework decorating the south entrance off Moscow Road.
- The stonework on the headwalls, barriers, jetties and fireplaces also show the handiwork of these fine men of the CCC.
- Their work in the park was also responsible for the reclamation of swampland on the eastern end of the park.
- These stonemasons also worked on the bridges and culverts on the road leading to the park from the city on what is known as the Lake Ontario Parkway.
